I have been out of the loop for a while with the development of Linux/GNU based OSes on phones. However, with seeing how companies (like reddit) can change the rules as they wish, I want to see if completely switching to Linux is possible.
Long story short… what are the current phone providers that have Linux as an OS, or what is the best way to run Linux on an off-the-shelf phone?
As a side-question, is Nextcloud still the next best option for a complete service alternative to Google/iCloud?
Thank you!
Because phone manufacturers don’t open source their firmware, you probably won’t be able to get Linux on an off-the-shelf phone. (Please someone correct me if I’m wrong).
Your best bet, if you want to go down thus route, is to get the PinePhone Pro.
It’s relatively affordable.Before you try anything, think hard about your relationship with your phone and what you expect from it. Does work require you have an app installed? What kind of apps do you use regularly? You won’t have things like: CVS for meds, AA for flying, Steam for 2fa, Signal, Telegram, google maps, etc. Some you might be able to use their webapps, but the browser might be a bit sluggish because it’s the full desktop version. Firefox isnt fully mobile friendly. Battery life won’t be what you’re used to. Linux on the phone is just like your regular Linux, so you’ll have the stuff your used to from there, and you’ll having calling, sms, mms, and voicemail.
I have the PinePhone and the Librem 5, but I still use my android.
There are a couple of phones that can run Linux. Oneplus 6 for an example. But most can’t indeed. PostmarketOS has a list of devices that their distro works on.
I guess they could implement the closed firmware source like the radio firmware binaries; same as Linux uses open-source and closed-source drivers. I think the PinePhone Pro might have issues with performance, connectivity, etc. with that SoC but thank you for the tip, I’ll have a look at it. You might be right with the app support. That is something I have not taken into consideration too much, especially, with regard to banking apps. I’ll keep that in mind as well. What is missing in your opinion that you are still on Android?
Signal app was the first thing I missed. Then I switched to Element, and there’s no good app for that. Then I missed >24hr battery life. I was doing a lot of traveling when I got my Librem 5, but no American Airlines app was a no-go (gate change alerts is too good). The Linux mobile situation is really impressive, but they’re just a decade or more behind on development.
The real straw that broke the camel’s back was I need a particular 2FA app for work, so I need a “regular” smartphone regardless of how good my Linux phone situation is. But, man, the second I can daily drive Plasma Mobile will be amazing. Such a good UI. I don’t use KDE, but their devs are truly the best.