Linux in my pocket?! - not so fast. Ubuntu Touch - my view
Posted by Flair_on_Final@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 303 comments
I wish I can say it's Great! I really do. Have it for almost a whole Week. I am very new to Ubuntu Touch and all this happy Linux phone stuff! Here is my small review so far:
udum2021@reddit
As long as it doesn't run mainstream apps (99% are iOS and Android only) it will never be useful for most people.
ordermaster@reddit
Death to the app stores. Promote progressive web apps.
p47guitars@reddit
Fuck progressive web apps.
Webdevs can't be bothered to make truly reactive interfaces, and WHAT ABOUT RUST? WHERES THE FUCKING COMPILER? YOU CANT COMPILE PWA BECAUSE ITS INTERPRETED AT RUNTIME! IRS NOT MEMORY SAFE AND DOESMT RESPECT MY RICED OUT GTK OR QT THEMES! WHERES THE FUCKING WAYLAND XDG PORTALS?
Confident-Yam-7337@reddit
PWAs are likely the main reason for the current level of Linux adoption
hfsh@reddit
Not a chance.
Confident-Yam-7337@reddit
Definitely. People aren’t going to leave Windows or macOS if their software isn’t available on Linux in some form. At least if it’s available as a PWA/web app they can still use it on Linux.
RootHouston@reddit
I hate running apps in a browser. I hate running multiple embedded versions of a browser. I don't want to live in a browser. If I did, I'd buy some glorified kiosk. Give me native apps all day long.
Confident-Yam-7337@reddit
Yeah, I don’t like it either, but I’ll take a PWA/web app over it not being available in Linux at all.
p47guitars@reddit
I CANT CODE PWA'S IN MY LONG SOCKS! THERES NO FUCKING COMPILER AND NO FUCKING RUST!
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
What kills me in Android (never owned iPhone and probably never will) is absolute absence of Terminal and root access.
dingman58@reddit
Turns out android has a native terminal as of android 15? 16? Go to developer options and enable Linux terminal
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Does it have an openssl as well?
dingman58@reddit
Go check
Rustyshackilford@reddit
Root access, no. But Terminak, yes.
WhippingShitties@reddit
I rooted my Galaxy day 1 to change the Bixby button to a flashlight button. No idea if modern phones are still rootable, but I like my flashlight button.
megacewl@reddit
Some are. Although most modern phones let you remap the side button to anything, such as the flashlight, if you want to nowadays
WhippingShitties@reddit
The way all phones should be tbh, I don't need 2018's version of an AI assistant perma-mapped to a side button.
megacewl@reddit
you will get bixby and you will like it
Rustyshackilford@reddit
I dont think anyone has gotten root on Android yet
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I saw YouTube videos on Terminal in Android. Also, on my phone under Ubuntu Touch I connected computer keyboard - and it fricking works without tweaking. Awesome! Although root on it is somewhat crippled as even sudo without re-mounting in write mode.
Rustyshackilford@reddit
Been using Termx for years, more for curiosity tho. Can't do what I want without root.
Still pretty cool for network snooping
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
OK. I am all ears. I feel clueless now. Want to stop Android from snooping and have some control.
yami_no_ko@reddit
Termux is nice if you need a linux-like terminal environment. It enables you to run linux apps, but is overall sandboxed and doesn't give you real access to the HW.
The absence of a real root terminal is what made android a pain to use for me. I really hate the entire idea of not being in control on my own device.
So I am kinda glad I was able to leave Android behind. It was so painful to use that a full charge easily lasted like 2 weeks because hated anything about smartphones.
Using Ubuntu touch enables me to use a phone without instantly wanting to throw it at the next wall.
Gamerwepx19@reddit
I rooted my phone , and with termux i have root aceess can modify system files like with adb on pc. Its really great, although i use mostly for yt dlp to download shit on my phone while im in long train hours.
Rustyshackilford@reddit
Well said.
What are you using for phone. Id love to leave this dystopian data trap of a phone.
yami_no_ko@reddit
I'm using a Fairphone 4. It's kinda old, I think they're at model 6 already but it gets the job done.
It has good coverage for ubuntu touch.
megacewl@reddit
What kinds of things do you use it for? I find this alternative type of phone very interesting
yami_no_ko@reddit
Mainly I use it as a phone and as a computer to run my usual linux software on.
I kinda like having my usual software available on the go which includes llama.cpp, a terminal, apt, and most importantly a standard webbrowser. I really despise the restricted nature of mobile Browser UIs that just scream for dark patterns.
Basically if I enjoy a program on my PC it is nice to also have the real thing available (either trough x86_64 emulation trough box86 or compiled fron source in arm64) on the go and not having to look for mobile apps that may or may not serve similar purpose.
So basically it's mostly about not wanting a mobile ecosystem at all.
Rustyshackilford@reddit
I just meant snooping on local networks, if youre referring to my comment about network snooping.
Still waiting on the open source phone OS to do what youre asking. PineOS is what was leading back before I gave up joining the matrix.
Myself, im all ears for a step in that direction.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
That's the reason I did not join earlier as I saw it was in infant stage and I do not specialize in mobile systems.
NotFlameRetardant@reddit
USB OTG has been a standard for 25 years now. I used a hub to use a keyboard & mouse on my Galaxy S3 almost 15 years ago.
the_abortionat0r@reddit
I love terminak!
Rustyshackilford@reddit
Lmao. I had to see if that was a real program. Termux is what I use.
Good one.
oromis95@reddit
WDYM? You can root and run terminal on Android. That's how I back-up my phone without Google's prying eyes. Rsync to home server.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
OK. Can you point me to the resource, if you don't mind?
oromis95@reddit
XDA Forums is the main resource. Many articles will be outdated, but still work for modern equivalents of the same phones. Motorola, Pixel, Fairphone, and several others support bootloader unlock at the moment. Major brands like Samsung however are locking down their phones, from my understanding in order to sell in the US market due to NSA rules. Don't quote me on that.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I kinda staying away from Samsung as I learned from my wife's Samsung - it's not for me.
oromis95@reddit
I feel you. I moved from Samsung to Motorola. They pissed me off. They specifically sold me the S10 with fitness features, only to remove them so they could sell more watches. Never buying another Samsung, shady fucks.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I've been using a LG phone for the last 8 years. It still works fine but Cricket service suck where I live. So, I've got the same sucky service for twice less money I bought a phone since cricket would not unlock their phone, stating they would.
I had bad experience with Motorola way back so, I am staying away from it too. But it's not comparable to Samsung.
dingman58@reddit
Depends on your phone of course but here's an example:
https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-root-how-to-root-your-pixel-9a-easily.4750598/
Terminal emulator, Termux:
https://termux.dev/en/
yami_no_ko@reddit
It largely depend on your phone model.
On my last phone I just gave up on it entire and didn't go trough the dilly dally to get the bootloader unlocked.
It just wasn't worth it with the bad coverage of PostmarketOS/Ubuntu/Custom ROMs.
They sucessfully killed rooting at large with just a few devices left, that can be considered worthwhile of being rooted.
Glad I got this over with, Android will become even more closed in the future when they are gonna kill installing APKs from non-google sources. (Yeah I know they don't completely kill it, but gatekeep it with additional dilly dally but it's basically impractical and the entire platform is kinda lost as it is going to be applefied.
oromis95@reddit
It depends on the manufacturer. The trick is to support manufacturers that still do. Vote with your wallet. Rooting is fairly simple on Motorola and Pixel, not that I would support Google. Fairphone for example is another great one.
Kevin_Kofler@reddit
Rooting is only possible if you can unlock the bootloader, which most mainstream manufacturers do not allow. Also be warned that Samsung used to allow it until recently, but now no longer does.
oromis95@reddit
I'm aware, got a Motorola, still easily unlockable.
acewing905@reddit
You should look into termux for a terminal. For root, you'll need to buy a phone that can be rooted. But these days rooting will give you compatibility issues with certain apps depending on where you live and what you do
dingman58@reddit
Terminal via Termux app. Does most of what I want it to. Phones can be rooted, though I agree it's harder than it needs to be.
PixelmancerGames@reddit
I think it does have a terminal. I've used it at work via a MDM. I'm sure there are other ways to access it.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I know it now thanks to the people posting here. Was always treated Android as something that can't be avoided.
CaptainNeverFap@reddit
Terminal for Beta (might be in main release now) was released like 6-8 months ago.
sparkyblaster@reddit
On my pixel 3. I use PWAs whenever possible. Better life has never been so good.
Sir_Bebe_Michelin@reddit
A ram seller wrote this comment
ImNotABotScoutsHonor@reddit
This gave me an idea...
Administrator: "Hello, RAM Seller, I am going into the datacenter and I need your strongest RAM sticks."
RAM Seller: "My RAM is too powerful for you, administrator."
Administrator: "RAM Seller, I tell you I am going into the datacenter, and I need only your strongest RAM sticks."
RAM Seller: "You can't handle my RAM. It's too powerful for you."
Administrator: "RAM Seller, listen to me; I want only your strongest RAM sticks."
RAM Seller: "My RAM would crash your system, administrator. You cannot handle my RAM."
Administrator: "RAM Seller, enough of these games. I'm going into the datacenter and I need your strongest RAM sticks."
RAM Seller: "My strongest RAM would fry your motherboard, administrator. You can't handle my strongest RAM. You'd better go to a vendor that sells weaker RAM."
Administrator: "RAM Seller, I'm telling you right now; I'm going into the datacenter and I need only your strongest RAM sticks."
RAM Seller: "You don't know what you ask, administrator. My strongest RAM can run entire clusters, let alone a single server. You need a vendor that sells weaker RAM, because my RAM is too powerful."
Administrator: "RAM Seller, I'm telling you I need your strongest RAM sticks. I'm going into the datacenter! I'm deploying systems and I need your strongest RAM!"
RAM Seller: "You can't handle my strongest RAM! No one can! My strongest RAM isn't fit for a server, let alone a standard workstation."
Administrator: "RAM Seller, what do I have to tell you to get your RAM? Why won't you trust me with your strongest RAM, RAM Seller? I need it if I'm to succeed in this deployment!"
RAM Seller: "I can't give you my strongest RAM because my strongest RAM is only for the most powerful systems and you are running the weakest infrastructure."
Administrator: "Well then that's it, RAM Seller. I'll go elsewhere. I'll go elsewhere for my RAM."
RAM Seller: "That's what you'd better do."
Administrator: "I'll go elsewhere for my RAM and I'll never come back!"
RAM Seller: "Good. You're not welcome here! My RAM is only for the most powerful systems and you clearly are not among them. You are clearly running the weakest hardware."
Administrator: "You've had your say, RAM Seller, but I'll have mine. You're a hack, you're a hack with no respect for administrators. No respect for infrastructure... except your RAM!"
RAM Seller: “Why respect administrators… when my RAM keeps the systems alive without them?”
Sir_Bebe_Michelin@reddit
Absolute cinema
In 3-7 years someone will post a vocoded version of this to bad apple or gangsta's paradise on YouTube
binkbankb0nk@reddit
Maybe its iOS, but PWAs suck.
RootHouston@reddit
Or just use F-Droid??
newusr1234@reddit
I'm really uneducated in this area but isn't web apps what tons of people complain about on desktop Linux ?
pdoherty926@reddit
It depends on your definitions. I think people (rightly) complain about Electron apps (bundled Chromium and app payload) which are distinct from traditional web apps (i.e. website) or progressive web apps (site which gets pinned to your device and works offline but uses your existing browser).
WeinerBarf420@reddit
I don't even think that's the primary issue, the newest mainstream device it supports is like the Pixel 3A.
niceandBulat@reddit
The only thing that fastens me to Android - WhatsApp...all my clients use it so I am not going to argue with them why they should use Telegram just because I have Ubuntu Touch.
Piece_Maker@reddit
You can run the Whatsapp webapp on UT as long as you have the real app running somewhere else (Or just run it via Waydroid, which works fine)
niceandBulat@reddit
"you have the real app running somewhere " - right......
Piece_Maker@reddit
Just fire it up in Waydroid then, it works perfectly. Then use the Waydroid version to login to the webapp version so you don't need to constantly have Waydroid running.
niceandBulat@reddit
Maybe I would once I can spare some change to get a phone that can support it. It was over a decade ago when I bought the Spanish phone (forgot the name) with Ubuntu on it.
TitularClergy@reddit
Back when I was using it, it could run Android applications via the likes of Anbox.
udum2021@reddit
At what cost? reduced battery life and endless compatibility issues?
TitularClergy@reddit
Yes, there were costs like that. It's up to you if the cost is worth it for the privacy and freedom and control you buy with it.
bananamantheif@reddit
Is this more private than grapheneos
alex-weej@reddit
So many people who work in tech and advertising are moving to dumb phones because THEY KNOW
jyte_@reddit
I work in tech, I am yet to find the "so many" you talk about.
TitularClergy@reddit
I don't have a solid approach yet, but broadly I have a couple of quite secure devices, or as secure as I can make them without having the equivalent of CoreBoot etc., and then a daily phone with only open source applications, and then a phone for banking/authentication which is kept at home and switched off most of the time.
But the broad assumption I make is that my phone is my least secure computing device.
acewing905@reddit
The issue is that depending on where you live and what you do, those compatibility issues may simply be a dealbreaker, and it may not be up to you at all. For example, some countries have essential government related apps, or healthcare or banking related apps that are impossible to run on rooted devices. You're lucky if you don't live in a place like that or don't have to use an app like that
TitularClergy@reddit
Absolutely, there is a direct attack on open source, user-controlled operating systems like that. Until we get laws banning such attacks or enough people boycott, you need a second device to keep those things sandboxed.
harbourwall@reddit
AppSupport on SailfishOS works really well, with no battery life impact. The only compatibility issues it suffers from are locked bootloader checks and 'play integrity' attestation: monopoly abuse by Google.
TitularClergy@reddit
Sadly Sailfish isn't a credible option until it is open source at the very least.
harbourwall@reddit
Meh. The majority of it is, but it's the usability and openness that I'm more interested in.
parkerlreed@reddit
Waydroid runs great. Play Store, the works. No issues.
ravensholt@reddit
Stop spreading lies:
https://docs.ubports.com/en/latest/userguide/dailyuse/waydroid.html
Let me quote the site:
Limitations
Before installing Waydroid on your device, please note that there are limitations to its support and integration:
parkerlreed@reddit
I was speaking in general. Waydroid on desktop and PostmarketOS from what I hear works just fine. Ubuntu Touch isn't the only thing for mobile phones.
yjlom@reddit
Yeah, but not banking apps. Give me a physical bank office or a portable interface to my account and I'm never touching Android again. Until then though…
TitularClergy@reddit
Yes, until we criminalise that kind of attack on user-controlled operating systems or boycott it, we basically have to keep a second sandboxed device for banking etc.
twitterfluechtling@reddit
Unless tgey require the google services, right? WhatsApp, banking apps etc.?
Yeah, I know, WhatsApp sucks anyway, but my sports club does use it to register for trainings sessions, sooo...
Piece_Maker@reddit
I've run my two different banking apps and WhatsApp on the Android emulator in Sailfish OS, without Play Services. I use Aurora Store to download the .apk and install it. Admittedly not tried this with Waydroid specifically yet.
TitularClergy@reddit
It's been a while, but I think I may have been using early microG experiments within Anbox to get the likes of Google Maps working properly. But of course for banking applications, you are of course correct that there is a direct attack on open source operating systems in general. For WhatsApp, I avoid Facebook spyware so it isn't a focus for me.
eighthourblink@reddit
Waydroid as well.
NH3R717@reddit
A lot of apps have web versions, would be good.
udum2021@reddit
And a lot of other apps don't, even if they do, user experience would be suboptimal.
TheRealLazloFalconi@reddit
Why would I care about what's useful for most people?
the_abortionat0r@reddit
Well here's the thing, what apps? Because if you can run computer programs then that literally covers more than phones do.
Aside from lift/Uber there isn't much of a functional issue here anymore and you could run those via a layer like waydroid.
udum2021@reddit
I wish it were that simple. With that mindset, Linux is unlikely to ever go mainstream beyond servers. Most people, myself included, don’t want a phone that feels like a portable computer that can also make calls.
zeno0771@reddit
...except that's exactly how almost everyone who isn't on AARP's mailing-list treats a smartphone like it's nothing more than its constituent parts: A smart phone.
There was literally a scene from a Disney TV show (no idea what it was called, someone young enough might remember) where two kids were surprised to hear someone's smartphone start ringing; neither of them were accustomed to it being used as a phone. That's how far removed these things are from back when they were called "mobile phones".
megacewl@reddit
Lol now I kind of want to enable the ringing sound on my phone and make it some really retro wall phone ringtone
Aggressive_Job_1031@reddit
Valve's Lepton might change this?
vdavide@reddit
Just like sailfish. No apps no party
Dragomir_X@reddit
It can run Android apps via Waydroid
GlowStoneUnknown@reddit
It isn't FOSS, but SailfishOS is a mobile Linux distro with native-ish android application support.
Samiassa@reddit
Ya I see graphene os being the only real way forward towards 3 options unless there’s a good Android translation layer that gets as popular and accurate as proton.
grizzly6191@reddit
might be better this way so it doesn't get over-regulated by governments
Dr_Hexagon@reddit
Waydroid exists.
eighthourblink@reddit
There is a program called Waydroid that runs very well and doesnt a half decent job of running Android. Its been years but it was fun to mess around with but in my use case wasnt good enough to be a daily driver
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I can't agree more
Rusty9838@reddit
What about waydroid? Can you open a normie app inside of the sandbox, or something?
Gamesdammit@reddit
Yes u can
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Did not go there yet. It's on the list.
r3v3rb_1@reddit
This is retrofitting seems like more of a hassle than it’s worth. I’ve been checking them out for a while and one of these days I’ll pick up a pinephone and try out one of the mobile os’s.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
At one point I was ready to revert to Android, still do. But I am not heavy App user, just phone calls. Car hands-free is a bummer. Although Hotsport works flawlessly and I carry SIM-free old phone for Store Apps. So, for now it stays. How long - I don't know.
xxCorsicoxx@reddit
You actually use your phone as a phone? Damn! 2008 called and you probably picked up cos you use your phone as a phone!
r3v3rb_1@reddit
One of the biggest farces going today is calling a smartphone both smart, and a phone.
xxCorsicoxx@reddit
I mean you are running a linux with hardware more performant than what put man on the moon, it is smart.
Don't conflate it with social media, the fact that people get lost in social media on their phones is different from the capabilities of it. And it's just giving arrogance, which I imagine isn't your aim.
They're a tool like any other, there's just big interest and big money in keeping us distracted. It's not our fault our biology is hijacked with shit meant to be addictive.
r3v3rb_1@reddit
how can a tool be smart?
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
At least one of you have to be smart. If that's your phone.. what does it make you?
r3v3rb_1@reddit
You must be stupid.
RootHouston@reddit
I hated it from the beginning, because it was clear that the point was never the phone, but rather the PDA aspect. The phone stuff was always bolted on. I was a PDA user long before the "smartphone" revolution happened, and wish that name had stuck.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Phone for calls, for everything else there are computers. I keep things separately, at least trying to.
I hate the idea when losing phone - people's life goes with it. If I lose mine - I'll barely notice it.
r3v3rb_1@reddit
I get it but few people even know how to hold a normal conversation anymore. It’s all texts or app based text communication.
Swimming_Lab_9414@reddit
This is amazing ❤️
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
mattiasso@reddit
The EU should mandate open boot loaders and mandatory driver releases
piiouupiou-not-r2d2@reddit
It's coming with /e/os foundation
sparkyblaster@reddit
Especially when a company discontinues support.
mattiasso@reddit
That should be valid for any single product in existence. Support is over: free it
yjlom@reddit
They're going fast in the opposite direction. Can't have mandatory age verification and systematic scanning of private messages if you can install your own OS.
No-Option-4246@reddit
They don't even know what a bootloader is
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Do you feel lucky! :-)
Hour_Farm_3281@reddit
Whenever I get a new phone for a daily use I am absolutely putting Ubuntu touch on my Pixel 3AXL
eighthourblink@reddit
Ah, Ubuntu Touch!
Its been years since i have messed around with it, on various phones like the PinePhone and Pixel 3a.
So awesome to see this being mentioned (and used) out in the wild
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Thanks! It feels different, isn't it?
No_Nothing_At_All@reddit
And you can put waydroid on it uf you need android apps!
CircleWithSprinkles@reddit
And you can run Winlator through Waydroid for Windows apps
paskapersepaviaani@reddit
Yay I can put WinRAR on it.
No_Nothing_At_All@reddit
Ewww
CircleWithSprinkles@reddit
What? Does running a Windows+x86 compatibility layer in an Android container inside a phone running Ubuntu Touch sound like a scuffed way to do it to you? Does that sound needlessly complicated and like it'd require far more overhead than the phone can realistically offer?
Yknow, fair enough.
BeAlch@reddit
It is still in development and is yearly updated to LTS Ubuntu release .. As of today latest version is 2404
some devices : see filter on the left to chose device ports with full compliance
https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/promoted/#community
official site: https://www.ubuntu-touch.io/
13 devices match all specs (with 2404 release)
-Fairphone 5
-Fairphone 4
-Nothing Phone (1)
-OnePlus Nord N10 5G
-OnePlus Nord N100
-Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S/9 Pro (India)
-Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max
-Xiaomi Poco M2 Pro
-Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (Global)
-Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC / X3
-Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
-Lenovo Tab M10 HD 2nd Gen LTE 4G/64GB
-Lenovo Tab M10 HD 2nd Gen Wifi 4G/64GB
Kichigai@reddit
I remember testing it out on my Nexus 4. I didn't think it was still in active development.
Wonder if Firefox OS is still around…
Miscfg@reddit
technically it is KaiOS usually runs on low end devices
tchkEn@reddit
I still remember how i heard about Ubuntu Touch at 2012 and was existing by it ..it was awesome time of dreams
TripleSecretSquirrel@reddit
I remember flashing it to my Nexus 7 tablet way back in the day. I thought it was so fucking cool for like a day or two haha
mrinfo@reddit
same here, I am surprised they have maintained something that can still be installed on devices today. I thought it was just a fancy tech demo proof of concept
Titdirt69420@reddit
It can be installed on devices today but it won't be feature complete. Best bet is the pinephone and pixel 3a still.
linmob@reddit
I don't think the PinePhone has been ever the best bet for using Ubuntu Touch (and I think I can be called a PinePhone enthusiast).
The official devices page https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/ is a good place to find well supported devices (make sure to factor in how hard XIAOMI device unlocks are these days, though).
Titdirt69420@reddit
Yes that's where I was referencing it. I think the pinephone is feature complete but the device is shit. Probably the 3a is the best bet based on that page.
ThatRandomJew7@reddit
After Canonical abandoned it, UBports took over and has been maintaining it ever since
victoryismind@reddit
"pine" in French slang means "penis".
David_Hajos@reddit
I also tried to install Linux on a Samsung J4+ phone, but is worse. If you want to open Chrome, wait 4-5 hours and is blank.
Key_Mine8048@reddit
This picture illustrates a poorly designed UI layout. They simply transferred the desktop layout to the mobile screen and called it a day. Compare it to the KDE mobile version. https://plasma-mobile.org/img/plasmaphone.png
StuD44@reddit
OH MY GOD! I want a KDE phone now!
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I have to agree
Der_X_Buddne@reddit
I had it on my lumia 950xl... Was nice but also not in the long run
Lucky-Network-7267@reddit
I get a 419 error do U have a different link to it?
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Sorry, no
Lucky-Network-7267@reddit
All good I'll try opening it on Pc
draconetto@reddit
i had a galaxy note 1 and back then there were a lot of OS backported to it. Ubuntu touch, tizen, sailfish, web os, etc. I remember installing ubuntu touch, playing with it for like 1 day and then trying to revert to cyanogenmod. Idk what i did wrong as i installed multiple custom roms before but this one bricked my device, had to go to support center where they stayed with my phone for one month while i had to use a galaxy pocket. Yeah i don't have good memories of ubuntu touch
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Well, every experience is experience but bad one is the one to avoid
IcyBaseball9926@reddit
If it have great RAM you can use it as a server 😂😂
KeyPanda5385@reddit
Oh my this looks cools. I need ubuntu phone too
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yeah, try it but don't expect it to work 100% though
KeyPanda5385@reddit
It will over time, this is just beginning at the end
urmamasllama@reddit
If we could do get mobile x86 or a powerful arm chip with good drivers I think it could work. You just need waydroid to cover what's missing
NinjaGriz@reddit
I was just reading about an Android Translation Layer in development, similar to wine🍷
yami_no_ko@reddit
I'm also using Ubuntu Touch, and it's certainly no replacement for Android or IOS. It's what you can use if you've had it with Android/IOS.
I kinda like using it, but I wasn't happy with phones to begin with, so I didn't expect any functionality from Android or IOS.
I'd recommend this only for people who already hate Phones and their idea of an ecosystem and wish for something different than Android and IOS. For anyone coming from any ecosystem or expecting a functional ecosystem I'd definitely not recommend it.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yeah, that's me. Hated iPhone from day one. Android in my view a little better but sucks as well.
RootHouston@reddit
I too hated my Android phone. I needed something reliable but a little more free. GrapheneOS seems to be doing it a bit better for me. It really puts a spotlight on dogshit Android apps that you should try to replace in your life too.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Well, it is what it is. I'd be glad if this setup worked at least 50%.
KeyPanda5385@reddit
We need nokia or blackberry to be back with different alternatives. Or huawei’s harmony os
yami_no_ko@reddit
I've used Android for years, but just ended up hating it more everyday. It is still more open than IOS, which I'd never use, but the writing is on the wall. They're going to follow the apple-route of completely locking their ecosystem within the next few versions.
Phones are such an insult to the sane mind. I'm glad we have a linux alternative, even though many things are plain incompatible, it can turn out to be it's strong point as well as it won't likely be a preferred target for large scale attacks.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
As far as attacks go - size of audience don't matter. It depends how much money is in it. If all the billionaires will switch to it - there is your fattest target. :-)
_ZenBreeze_@reddit
Used a one note 100 few years ago for a similar project . Was lovely . Everything was fine apart of the fingerprint sensor was a bit temperamental was working 6 out of 10 scans let's say
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Ohh, I am not getting that deep into locking the phone. I don't lock as I don't like either entering code or rely on a fingerprint.
Calm_as_@reddit
GnomeOS is coming for your phones.
mrturret@reddit
I mean, it's already a touch screen first DE.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Great! Looking forward to it
TigerMoskito@reddit
isn't it dead with unity 8 and mir ?
daemonpenguin@reddit
Ubuntu Touch, Mir, and Lomiri (Unity 8) are all in active development. What are you on about?
nandru@reddit
There was a team of people giving it support
RootHouston@reddit
I have a PinePhone and put postmarketOS on it. It runs, but lack of battery optimization means the phone lasts a few hours. How is the battery life on this?
daemonpenguin@reddit
UBports has similar battery life when compared to Android when running on the same hardware.
Little-Condition-552@reddit
More unlocked phones like pixel 6,7 should be supported on Linux. If putting graphene is possible then it should be doable. Pixel 3 s are dying of battery issues
sparkyblaster@reddit
Yeah, own day I'll get around to replacing the battery in mine.
spezisgoatse@reddit
Plasma Mobile is far superior in my opinion than Ubuntu Touch.
yungsup@reddit
Except that Plasma Mobile does not work well on pretty much any mobile phone sadly. Ubuntu Touch support isn't too bad in comparison. I've used it for a while on my Oneplus 5T. I would love to try out Plasma Mobile but there is no good device that works with it and has working camera support. It still still very experimental, while you absolutely can daily drive Ubuntu Touch.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately it is not supporting my phone
spezisgoatse@reddit
What device?
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
one plus n10 g5
Icy-Distribution8607@reddit
Is there a way to rice this to a beautiful mobile UI?
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I guess no. I remember UNIX community in the 90-s were telling that X can't be made pretty. Steve Jobs came alone with Mac OS X. Tell me I am wrong, but as I see it - Mac OS X is the best UNIX GUI ever built back in the last Century.
RootHouston@reddit
I was a macOS user for a while. It's okay, but I think GNOME is more forward thinking these days.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Exactly my point of view on Mac. macOS is more of an iOS nowadays. I never liked iPhone and iOS but I am using a lot of Macs as long as they keep the UNIX side of it. It's a Hands-down Best GUI for UNIX OS.
GNOME is fine, but I still don't like the GUI and the killer for me is "clear" in Terminal. Mac OS is the best in that department - "Command+K" clears the Terminal window.
RootHouston@reddit
I actually disagree. macOS appears more outdated looking than iOS these days.
Command + K actually doesn't do anything for me in a terminal on GNOME.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Command + K is Mac's Terminal shortcut
RootHouston@reddit
Ah okay, I misunderstood. You can still set a shortcut in GNOME's Terminal.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yes, but you still have to press "Enter" for shortcut to work. On Mac all you do is press "Control + K" and terminal is cleared. Better yet, you can pres "Command +K" to clear terminal even when you've entered new command. Command will remain on a single line. That feature is priceless on Mac.
RootHouston@reddit
No. That's not true. I just tried it.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I use it for years. Do you have the latest and greatest macOS? Did the remove it? Sorry, I mistyped entering Control - it should be "Command + K"
yjlom@reddit
It's a private device, not a mainframe. You won't have any other user logging in, or if you do that means it's been stolen and they can just take the disk out and read your personal data directly. I wouldn't worry about this.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I agree and I am not worrying about it. It's that marketing scheme is misleading as always - "Ubuntu Touch takes security very seriously" or something like that.
Mork006@reddit
Getting HTTP 410 Gone when trying to access the article. Bummer
Fit_Author2285@reddit
Same
Hour-Reserve-2919@reddit
Same
akak___@reddit
works on my machine /s
the_abortionat0r@reddit
And my axe! /axe
FuckinHighGuy@reddit
And my bow!
No really, it does!
Indolent_Bard@reddit
Can you run doom on your bow?
simply-coastal@reddit
it works on the forehead of my david bowie statue
willie_169@reddit
same
docular_no_dracula@reddit
Same
Primary_End_3744@reddit
Il cobcetto e molto invitante se consideriamo che le distribuzioni linux nascono per essere eseguite anche su macchine ormai fuori commercio e farle funzionare a meraviglia, se ai computer si complementato i telefonini,a mio parere e un'apoteosi!🧑🏻🔧
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I agree, but I guess it's not enough.
Primary_End_3744@reddit
in che senso intendi non è sufficiente?
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I meant for us to want and like Linux to be available on every phone.
Primary_End_3744@reddit
é il nostro sogno comune allora✌🏼😄
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Apparently it is!
lll_Alexandr_lll@reddit
what is the phone this ?
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
One Plus N10
ravensholt@reddit
Yeah, I have an old version on the Meizu MX4 (official Ubuntu handset), unfortunately it was never updated after it got taken over by UB Ports, so now it's just a brick.....
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Sorry to hear that
More_Implement1639@reddit
Your a hero for using Ubuntu Touch!
I always wanted to and I think im going to do it now
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I am no hero. Just thought I'd try it out. Go do it and see if it works for you
ArthurCastus@reddit
This is amazing
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
za72@reddit
is that Linux in your pocket or are you just happy to see me
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
both :-)
Benjamin_6848@reddit
Is something like Ubuntu Touch compatible with any random smartphone hardware, or are there kinda specific hardware-requirements?
How does the installation-process work?
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Installation at first is a nightmare. It will not install on just any hardware. There is a list of compatible phones.
___kernelpanic___@reddit
I had the original Ubuntu Phone back in 2015 I think. I loved the UI and the scopes (removed since many years) but even in 2015 it was clearly not gonna make it.
WillingPirate3009@reddit
Why isn't linux on smartphones a thing yet? What are the challenges to overcome in order to make it possible?
RootHouston@reddit
Because battery life and reliability are two huge things most people need with their smartphone. Also, compatibility is something a lot of people can't compromise on. Mobile Linux still has a long way to go for that as far as last I checked.
PureTryOut@reddit
Android phones run extremely outdated Linux kernels and proprietary Android-specific drivers. Bootloader unlocking is getting worse with every new phone release.
ryanstephendavis@reddit
Hardware and vendor lock-in ... Although, see Pine Phone
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
To be honest I have no clue.
MintyNinja41@reddit
If you have Linux in your pocket, is your other hand holding a cigarette?
Spirited-Put-493@reddit
Can you explain the lore behind this?
RootHouston@reddit
Alanis Morissette released a popular song called "Hand in My Pocket" in the 1990s. If you're below age 35, you may have no reference.
nonreligious2@reddit
"The other one's givin' a high-five."
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yes. How did you know?
FunnyMustache@reddit
woooosh.gif
niceandBulat@reddit
The link to the article/review is not accessible?
Maleficent-Sun-7152@reddit
If it cannot run my banking app, not interested.
LordSlyGentleman@reddit
I don't know? Has Ubuntu gotten rid of snap? Has Ubuntu regained Its philosophical soul?
nandru@reddit
LOL
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
To be honest, I don't have those answers. I am mostly a FreeBSD guy and have a few Linuxes (mostly Fedora servers) due to unavailability of FreeBSD. But no Ubuntu.
vk6_@reddit
Linux in my pocket? I have that on my Android phone. It's called Android.
Soft_Cable3378@reddit
People on this sub are dedicated to doing Linux on mobile the hard way. There’s a reason Android threw out most of the traditional Linux environment. Most of it doesn’t translate to mobile. It is Linux, but designed for mobile. People here can’t accept that.
Happy to get downvoted on this. People here be a little crazy.
nandru@reddit
I tried running plasma mobile via postmarketOS but is so buggy I ended up having a better experience running full blown plasma desktop there
baikal718@reddit
Nobody here remembers N900?
h_adl_ss@reddit
I bought one second hand for cheap and it's running postmarketos now
Laktosefreier@reddit
But it is slooow
h_adl_ss@reddit
Yeah basically unusable, but I still had fun with it somehow
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
How about 3110? :-) the best phone I ever had! Can't kill it no matter what!
flanker_301@reddit
From my experience, installing Ubuntu Touch feels more like a “cool experiment” than something genuinely useful.
I used to be a big fan of the OS and really wanted to try it. Eventually, I installed it—but once the initial excitement wore off, it started to feel like a waste.
I found that Android with Termux is actually far more practical and powerful.
Here’s why: 1. It lacks proper support for Indian cellular networks, mainly due to limited LTE compatibility. 2. You can’t install mainstream apps, and there’s no proper sideloading support. 3. The biggest downside is that it feels surprisingly closed and restricted, especially for someone who enjoys working with Linux systems. 4. There’s very limited usable space in the root filesystem, which makes it difficult to install tools like Docker or run it as a proper server environment. 5. Most of the storage is allocated to user data (media, files, etc.), leaving very little room for system-level experimentation.
Overall, it doesn’t serve well either as a daily driver or as a playground for Linux enthusiasts.
Want to hear from other’s opinions.. 🫣🫣🫣
ComradeLV@reddit
Page says 410 Gone
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Sorry Comrade. We have so many "wanna be hackers" from Baltic Republics, literally from every toaster and fridge - had to close them altogether. Proxy would work.
ComradeLV@reddit
Wdym? I just tried to open the page. What harm the Baltic States did to you?
udi503@reddit
Looks like windows to me
Content_Chemistry_44@reddit
Hey, all damn tablets and smartphones running Linux in Android. Wtf?
toonies55@reddit
i used to have a ubuntu touch phone many years ago. it was a BQ phone. i think they went under now. ubuntu was mostly ok. ssh and apps were fine. i think the home screen and gestures were ahead of their time. then you open firefox & it grinds to a halt. the phone part and camera was fine too. the biggest barrier to make it a daily driver was whatsapp and my banking apps. those companies dont publish on ubuntu touch so no matter how good a new phone will get, you basically will always be cut off from the world.
toonies55@reddit
also got the ubuntu tablet. far more useful than the phone. i checked that this was all in late 2015.
Mysterious_Tutor_388@reddit
Every time I've looked at Linux on phones as an option it looks like there is a small list of devices that it actually works on. Which keeps me from actually attempting to install it.
susosusosuso@reddit
No WhatsApp no go
DoubleOwl7777@reddit
i can understand why youd hate android/ios. unfortunately for me at least practicality is more important, so graphene would be the best i can do.
BecarioDailyPlanet@reddit
I'm not sure if I'd use my phone with Ubuntu for all the reasons mentioned, but back in the day, I had a tablet I would've loved to save with a lightweight distro GNU for watching old movies and reading comics. With Android, that became difficult
KnowZeroX@reddit
At this point the closest you could probably get a gnu/linux phone experience would be sailfish os, at worst it can still run android apps even if not all android apps work and there is some performance penalty on the android apps.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Great to know! I'll look into it. Thanks!
kingpubcrisps@reddit
Read your review, seconding that Sailfish might be your thing. It does work, in that bluetooth etc work well, and apps like Telegram/Matrix/Signal etc are supported well (both native and Android sandboxxed).
It's more 'buggy' than iOS/Android, for instance I paired a H10 Heart rate monitor with a running app yesterday, and it tok a few tries to get it to sync properly, but that took around 30 seconds of messing around, and it worked and since then just automatically syncs, so that kind of thing seems way more ironed out than with Ubuntu touch.
Unsigned_enby@reddit
Postmarketos & sxmo (on a oneplus 6) feels pretty damn well like a linux phone. But to be fair postmarketos(/alpine) uses muslc. However, there's kupfer that's based off archlinux/alarm (and has also has sxmo available).
the_abortionat0r@reddit
I'd take a performance hit any day as what would really slow down? I don't play any games on my phone.
johncate73@reddit
Thanks for posting about this. I have that same phone sitting around not doing anything and was planning to install Ubuntu Touch on it.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
You still planning?
johncate73@reddit
Yes
lKrauzer@reddit
Is this still supported? I thought it was discontinued by Canonical.
mrtruthiness@reddit
It's not supported by Canonical, but it is supported by the UBPorts community. UBPorts supports Ubuntu Touch OS which uses the Lomiri (formerly Unity 8) DE.
theillustratedlife@reddit
It's weird that they rebranded Unity, but still call the distro Ubuntu.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yes, it was developed for some time now by UBports.
CNMathias@reddit
Looks interesting but I don’t want a phone with a chin.
breakerfall@reddit
I had it running for a while on my Fairphone 5 and it's honestly so disappointing. I'd say the limited hardware compatibility is seriously holding back development.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yeap. Now I know that too. Especially car hands-free has been requested over 8 years ago. Still there.
FG205@reddit
Ubuntu is also removing encryption so I'd be wary about Ubuntu touch. Encryption is super important on phones.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Probably. But, I can lose my phone without losing anything. Police will be very unhappy to get the whole unlocked phone with nothing in it. I don't lock my phones. I will immediately remove the key from known_hosts and they'll get nothing.
Confident-Yam-7337@reddit
You don’t lock your phone and you keep SSH Keys on it?
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yes. How many people you know would get my server IP and username fast enough for me not to have time to remove the key?
Even if they would get that info - they'll get regular user account of no importance.
How fast do you think professional specialist from Secret Service or FBI will get that information? I am not that important for them to bother.
It's mostly how you spread your objectives, not how hard would it be to get into your phone.
Regular police would just do nothing as they wouldn't know any better.
the_abortionat0r@reddit
Are you talking about removing encryption from /boot?
daemonpenguin@reddit
No they are not.
stillalone@reddit
maybe instead of building ubuntu for phones we should build grapheneos for desktop
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I agree! Great idea! :-)
el_ratonido@reddit
If you want, I've been using Lineage OS and I didn't few any difference in performance compared to my older OS.
blreuh@reddit
Non Android Linux mobile phones are kind of redundant just use open source Android degoogled distributions
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I looked into degoogled phones. Don't like the Android architecture as a class. If I pay for something - I must possess the root access or don't charge me for hardware.
undrwater@reddit
If you can unlock the bootloader, you can root the phone (OnePlus, pixel, nothing).
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yes. I have OnePlus Nord N10. Bootloader is unlocked
undrwater@reddit
You can install Lineage OS and root with magisk. You don't have to install any Google services, and can use apps from f-droid.
It's not bad really, but I have started to become allergic to Google stuff (and there are some binaries from Google in Lineage necessarily - apparently). Especially after their announcement regarding app development.
blreuh@reddit
Look into GrapheneOS and Pixels for a root access (soon to be Motorola).
daemonpenguin@reddit
UBports has such a better interface and performance compared to Android phones though. Plus then you're not subject to delays while Google waits to release the Android source.
blreuh@reddit
We should put ‘mobile Linux’ effort into developing an independent fork of aosp that isn’t depndent on Google
Comrade_Bender@reddit
Eh they're fun little projects. I ran Ubuntu touch on an old Nexus 5 10+ years ago for shits and giggles. Wish it would have fleshed out, it was a cool little OS
blreuh@reddit
I think it would have had a much better chance if it was based on aosp with reimplementations of Google services
Known-Exam-9820@reddit
Were you able to find a carrier that works with the phone?
undrwater@reddit
At&t works (in the US at least).
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Yes. I bought pre-paid Tello SIM. Phone is factory unlocked and I just bought it brand new on eBay for $160. Tello is $17/mo.
tulpyvow@reddit
Personally don't like the look of the default UI and the ubuntu base, I personally would prefer postmarketOS with Plasma Mobile :3
undrwater@reddit
The default UI is actually plasma mobile. Modified some, though.
The phone op has (same as mine) has good support for volte which is critical in the US (can't connect to the carrier network otherwise).
PMOS' volte support is more spotty apparently.
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
Me too. I am open and do research when I have time. This is my first try.
theredwolf43@reddit
I would want to try it however target devices is so limited and my current phone isn't supported.
Unsigned_enby@reddit
A oneplus 6 goes for <100 on ebay, and it's one (if not the most) powerful device that's has (relatively) complete support and isn't super expensive. Bonus points is you can dual boot android with it (although im sure that's true for many).
Flair_on_Final@reddit (OP)
I went through the other end - bought a compatible phone.
undrwater@reddit
I've been waiting for the ideal time to put my SIM card in my ubports phone.