What phones Linux users use?
Posted by OmJn11@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 134 comments
Hello everyone! I've been a Mac OS user for years, and only recently have I been looking into Linux. I currently have a MacBook Air M3, but an older Android as a phone that I've been thinking about replacing with an iPhone for a year now.
From what I've seen, a lot of Linux users download Linux on a ThinkPad or PC, and I'm pretty sure you can't download any Linux distros on an iPhone or Google Pixel. However, I'm curious to know what you all use and what you would recommend.
Resident-Cricket-710@reddit
android sync'd to the desktop via kde connect/gs connect
SunlightScribe@reddit
The one thing I hate about KDE Connect is that you can't turn it off. I wish it could be disabled while not in use.
Insight-Seeker-8@reddit
So like, disconnecting a device? Unpair
SunlightScribe@reddit
No, KDE Connect is running in the background 24/7 on your phone listening for a connection. Seems like a total waste if it's something you only use occasionally.
But as the other person said, you can stop the app. But it should really have its own on/off switch.
Resident-Cricket-710@reddit
I use GNOME/GS Connect, and I either click the GSConnect button in the quick menu to turn it off or just stop the KDE app on my phone.
IrrerPolterer@reddit
This
01111010t@reddit
I use GrapheneOS for mobile and Fedora on desktop.
payne747@reddit
I wanna use it but I'm worried about banking apps not supporting it. Any issues with that at all?
DonaldMerwinElbert@reddit
You have internet access, do you not?
From GrapheneOS usage guide - banking apps:
Banking Applications Compatibility with GrapheneOS
payne747@reddit
Yeah I checked that thanks, I like getting my results from multiple sources including asking people directly on this internet you speak of.
DonaldMerwinElbert@reddit
I don't see how random people from different countries using different banking apps perhaps answering you "works for me" here is of any value, but you do you.
LayotFctor@reddit
Google wallet doesn't work. While my bank's administrative apps work, they rely on Gwallet for nfc payments. I've had to buy a phone case with a card slot to pay with. Also mcdonalds doesn't, which helps me eat healthy I guess.
choochoomthfka@reddit
The two ofmy banking apps work flawlessly on GrapheneOS
laczek_hubert@reddit
In Poland I use iko which supports Huawei so any self contained banking app should work
sammyTheSpiceburger@reddit
That's my concern
sob727@reddit
Graphene here too
Raevyxn@reddit
GrapheneOS here too (which works on pixel phones)
DFS_0019287@reddit
Android, but I don't like it particularly. I would love to run actual Linux on a phone.
I used to own a Nokia N900 which did run Linux (and X11) and I loved the phone. Sadly, the hardware eventually died and the software wasn't receiving any updates, so I had to let it go.
Live-Imagination1350@reddit
It depends of your device you might wanna check PostmarketOS.
DFS_0019287@reddit
I installed it on an old Motorola phone, but I don't think the phone or the camera worked.
I want a phone designed to run Linux that is fully supported by the manufacturer. While efforts like PostmarketOS are interesting and admirable, they're not what I'm looking for.
Matheweh@reddit
I use GrapheneOS, so whenever you decide to switch look at which is the latest supported devices: https://grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices
Supposedly Motorola will be releasing a Thinkphone with official support "Soon™": https://motorolanews.com/motorola-three-new-b2b-solutions-at-mwc-2026/
Helmic@reddit
I'm just worried Motorola's GrapheneOS phone will be way overpriced for the hardware. With the Pixel phones, you had the option of an older model or a flagship at a fairly reasonable price which made using GrapheneOS as a daily driver as a "normal" person pretty easy, like i'm not unhappy to be using a Pixel and I could easily find refurbished models online to get one for cheap, it is a fantastic daily driver and I have no need for a second phone. With Motorola... like I'm worried I'm gonna get jumpscared with a $1200 phone with $200 specs, or an "affordable" phone that isn't really suitable for anything that isn't phone calls and messaging.
Sure, I'll pay a bit of a premium for privacy and security, but like a good chunk of the people I point towards GrapheneOS are activists and trans people, people that have very good reason to care about their privacy but are fucking broke. I don't expect a Moto phone to be dirt cheap day 1 or anything, but I would hope that the used market is reasonable enough that regular people don't feel like they're being exploited buying one of these.
Matheweh@reddit
Even then you'll have the cheaper older Pixels because the long support period, and I assume that as new Motorola phones come out then the older ones get cheaper.
quilllord@reddit
why do you think these phones will have a premium attached to it? doesnt make sense to me. all they need to do is meet minimum req for graphene.
Lmaoboobs@reddit
You are already in the Apple ecosystem just get an iPhone.
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Raiderb8@reddit
This is the way.. I use grapheneOS on my Pixel 8 pro, Catchy OS on my thinkpads and desktop.
morpheus-91@reddit
Oneplus 6T
EfficiencyMurky7309@reddit
My daily driver is an iPhone these days. But I have so many old phones in a drawer that I pull out for a look every now and then. Last week I pulled out an old Galaxy Nexus from 2011 that I installed Ubuntu Touch on.
rklrkl64@reddit
I use LineageOS on a second-hand Sony Xperia 1 III - cost me £150, whereas it was stupidly priced at £1199 when new. Its Snapdragon 888 is decently quick, I get weekly OS updates (more often than a Pixel!) and there's no notch/cutout on the screen (it's one of the very few non-gaming good spec phones released this decade that has a "100% screen").
Live-Imagination1350@reddit
I like that OP asked for Linux phones and everyone says about their Android phone.
jikt@reddit
I have a Xiaomi Poco x5 Pro. Getting the bootloader unlocked was a fiasco. Now that it's unlocked, degoogled, dexiaomied, with crdroid there are days where I still have 80% battery with normal use. It used to scrape by at 10% if I was lucky.
I switched full time to Linux over a year ago and since making the real effort to learn new things and change my thinking and expectations, it's been the catalyst for my efforts to disconnect from Google and all other cloud services as best I can.
309_Electronics@reddit
Android on a cheao samsung phone. I do want to eventually de-google my life but only when i am confortable in doing so. So eventually i want to switxg to graphene os or any other aosp os.
seiha011@reddit
I'm a bit of a tinkerer at times. On my PC I use Debian and my smartphone is Fairphone 6... not yet with e/OS. ;-)
Seamo_Bojamo@reddit
I use a iPhone and I use LocalSend if I need to send stuff between the two. I don’t have any need for any more connection (phone calls, messages, etc.)
EmpanSpace@reddit
Xperia 10 III Running SailfishOS (linux)
dramake@reddit
I have a OnePlus 13 with oxygen os 16.
I don't find useful for my use case having any kind of integration with my computer, so I don't use kde connect nor any other similar app.
2016-679@reddit
My Jolla with SailfishOS was the best connecting to Linux and FreeBSD -- just plug it in or ssh. Also the file system has no hidden corners, has complete Linux structure.
That phone is from 2014 (first series) and had it limitations in browsing. Websites become code and feature bloated and can't be read bij the browser.
Therefore I bought a Ulefone Armor24 with Android. I use it without any Google services, apps from FDroid. The Armor24 has some nifty features that are specific to this phone. That's why I keep the original OS.
The 'Nokia features' were a selling point to me -- eternal battery life (22.000 mWh) and very robust.
Connecting to my FreeBSD box for syncing the ssd card is a bit of a challenge though but workable. Android seems not to understand the file permissions even though I used rsync with skipping groups and owner.
LLVM_WIFI_DOOB_NERF@reddit
I go to a TwoPluss bar and waive my dollar.
sndrtj@reddit
I have a a Fairphone. Still normal Android tho. Next phone may be one with e/OS.
tungnon@reddit
iPhone because it works for me Great battery life too
_MatVenture_@reddit
Not trying to be a dick, but surely "great battery life" on iPhone is satire, right?
Desertcow@reddit
iPhones have Apple Silicon, the OS and the chips are literally designed from the ground up to work together efficiently. Apple's also much more restrictive about what apps can do in the background to save battery
cyanophage@reddit
IPhones have used Apple's own chip since the iPhone 4. So you're saying iPhone battery life has been industry leading since the iPhone 4? Because we all know that's not been the case 😂
Desertcow@reddit
They've been more efficient power wise, they get more mileage per mah than Android phones usually, but whether that translates to battery life has depended on the size of the battery. Apple was obsessed with making ultra thin phones for a while and usually had half the battery capacity of Androids until they started putting larger batteries in
Apple-Connoisseur@reddit
My six year old iPhone usually lasts me a day or two. To be fair I'm going to be 40 next year and really don't use it that much.
tungnon@reddit
I am on IPhone 17 Pro. My battery usually survives 2-3 days without charging.
Winter_Cockroach714@reddit
IOS is complete and utter garbage.
baikal718@reddit
Ok
HomsarWasRight@reddit
K
Puzzleheaded-Sky2284@reddit
same here. Sure iOS isn't the most customizable but my phone is a tool and my iphone is way more reliable than any android phone I've ever used
mrandr01d@reddit
It ain't more private, I can tell you that much.
cAtloVeR9998@reddit
At least with enabling “Advanced Data Protection”, significantly more data is E2EE than what is easily possible on Android. (Though far from perfect, such as location sharing not being E2EE).
McGuirk808@reddit
How is it? I've been using Nexus/Pixel for years, but google voice typing is getting so unspeakably shitty that I'm considering switching for that alone.
tungnon@reddit
I don’t really use voice typing. But social media, messaging, banking, and photos are super reliable for me.
0x196@reddit
Librem5. Pine Phone before that. There are dozens of us. Dozens!
gavff64@reddit
Man I seriously considered a Nothing Phone 1 with PostmarketOS as a crazy full-time experiment. The support is surprisingly good for a modern sleek phone like that.
_WeStErEq_@reddit
Bone stock CMF Phone 2 Pro
Why?
Because it was cheap and decent
And i'm broke after getting a framework laptop
Blitzbahn@reddit
Does iOS have KDE Connect? It's an amazing feature. So easy to use. Works great on Android
tungnon@reddit
Yes we have that here Not sure if it’s the same in functionality but yeah it’s here
gavff64@reddit
It’s pretty barebones on iOS but tbf I only cared for file transfer anyway which it does great
rakhalism@reddit
grapheneOS
DoubleOwl7777@reddit
just a moto g82 android phone with the stock os but will switch to a pixel with graphene os when that dies.
air_dancer@reddit
Couldn't afford a Pixel 😭
Got a Nothing Phone 4a instead.
My previous one was a Poco F5 which was debloated using Universal Android Debloater. Never getting another Xiaomi ever again...and I'll stay the away from Infinix, Oppo, Tecno, and Vivo as well. They all make it difficult to unlock the bootloader.
If money isn't an issue, get the latest Pixel, debloat using UAD if necessary, and flash Graphene OS when it no longer receives software support.
twisted_nematic57@reddit
I don’t use my phone a lot and frankly don’t care much about it. I’ve been using an iPhone SE 2 for a while now.
whaleboobs@reddit
The Gnuphone: https://i.ibb.co/xq5ghRQn/ea0d9fb0-6944-4da4-9811-bfb1a04c196e.png
LemmysCodPiece@reddit
I just have a cheapish Motorola that suits my needs. I uninstall all of the OEM crap and I am done.
Pugs-r-cool@reddit
I have an iphone and a macbook, they work really well together. I use linux on my desktop pc.
jhaimgirl@reddit
I have Fairphone 6 with Murena /e/os. Will install Ubuntu Touch or Sailfish OS at some point, even though /e/os is really good. I just want to do away with android.
Wolltapir@reddit
/e/OS on a Fairphone 5 after /e/OS on a Fairphone 3
TheCrustyCurmudgeon@reddit
I went back and forth for several years and then returned to Apple. Never looked back and can't imagine I ever will. Hands down, iPhone was the best, no question. Reliable, top quality, privacy, everything works, seamless, amazing apps, no google necessary.
BigHeadTonyT@reddit
I generally get Android phones that are easy to unlock bootloader on and relatively cheap. Motorola is easy to root. I run e/OS on it. Before that, had a Huawei that was rooted too. I look for a phone, then see if there is a ROM for it. Or in the case of e/OS, see what they support and find the cheapest option that is still sold. I think my Motorola phone was 2-3 years old but it still gets updates from e/OS. Was barely sold anywhere anymore, IIRC.
I did try some Linux distro or two on Android, didn't work that well for me. Sorta like a VM, I don't remember details. I installed terminal instead, works for what I need it for. It was something similar to this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tech.ula
I stay away from Apple. Never owned a single device from them. To me they are the more expensive version of Microsoft/Windows. I don't use any of MS software or hardware any more. Well, I am pretty sure MS owns Android patents that they troll with. Maybe I am paying MS tax anyway.
duck-and-quack@reddit
I’ve been using android since the nexus one, my last android currently is the galaxy s20.
Right now I’m using an iPhone, I switched two years ago because I didn’t like how android it’s moving from “operating system” to “ profiling platform for selling ads “ .
Longjumping-Youth934@reddit
pixel
Davoomer@reddit
It’s really hard and I don’t recommend it, but I use Ubuntu touch.
It’s counter intuitive on most of the ways to use it, but right now I found a way, and for me is getting useful and fun.
If you want to taste that hard spicy flavor, then first check the compatibility with your phone and read everything you can find about it. But this is not a trip for everyone.
lunchbox651@reddit
We don't use phones, we send messages via SSH
SeyAssociation38@reddit
i use an android phone because it is more open than iphone. you can install linux on a phone like for example postmarket os but it is a pain to use because, for most users there is no point in using it.
Migamix@reddit
Google phones since galaxy nexus (got railed without lube being on Verizon with that one), droid x before that, it got bricked on my birthday with an update also by Verizon. I have always hated apple products, their high price for marginal hardware, to current behaviour that gave John Deere the drive to be the same type of pricks. In fact the only apple products in my house are two old Mac pros running mint, and a apple] [c right next to my Amiga 500 and 1200.
khsh01@reddit
I went the kde connect route. I'm out of luck on custom roms because I use a foldable from Samsung.
CompetitionPlane1848@reddit
I currently daily an S25 Ultra with stock OneUI 8. Arch on my secondary computer and MacOS on my primary.
Internal_Falcon2637@reddit
Whatever phone you like, go for a good product not brand loyalty. I recommend used ones on ebay, if you want I can send you who I buy from.
porfiriopaiz@reddit
Motorola ThinkPhone, I should be using a Google Pixel with GrapheneOS.
lvl-46-primeape@reddit
Started off on Windows Phone (RIP best mobile OS ever), switched to Android, just switched to iOS this September with the iPhone Air. The design is amazing and iOS is fine. It’s caught up enough for me to want to try it, and I personally really like Liquid Glass. I don’t prefer iOS over Android or vice versa as they’re so close to each other these days that it’s literally not worth it to bother picking. Just go with whatever phone looks neat and you’ll be good.
OscarCookeAbbott@reddit
I use an iPhone, but if I were to switch away in future I’d get one of the upcoming Motorola phones with GrapheneOS.
Scoutron@reddit
iPhone. Amazing hardware, amazing software, does everything I need a phone to do at a good price, great battery life and plays nice with my Apple ecosystem
lululock@reddit
Google Pixel 8 Pro. Waiting for the warranty to end before putting it on GraphenOS.
AndreVallestero@reddit
LineageOS on a 5 year old xiaomi phone. Might switch to the upcoming Motorola phone with graphene pre installed.
LinuxJeb@reddit
I'm with T-Mobile so I have to wait a little while, but as soon as I get the chance, I'm moving to lineage.
Luke3120@reddit
Pixel 10 / GrapheneOS
Munalo5@reddit
I have an A-16 Samsung. I use KDE-Connect too.
Linux doesn't have the best Speech to Text software but , I can use my android phone for that saving it into a text file. Then just send it over with KDE-Connect.
mrandr01d@reddit
Stock pixel, but I avoid things like Facebook, etc. If I was going to change anything, I'd keep using a pixel and install graphene on it.
Won't catch me dead using an iPhone.
6gv5@reddit
Pixel 7 pro as phone with Graphene OS; I don't do any banking/social media or money related things on the phone but still need access to government apps that work only on Android/ish OSes like Graphene, so even if there was a comparable native Linux offer for that phone it wouldn't be an option. Debian, Manjaro, and mostly Alpine on desktops/laptops/SBCs.
Kalos08@reddit
Pixel 3aXL still rubbing thanks to LineageOS. If this phone breaks, though, I'll look seriously at the FuriLabs phones. They look pretty promising for Linux on a phone.
aegoismo@reddit
Motorola g85
888NRG_@reddit
Android is linux-based..
flesyMeM@reddit
Still rockin my iphone xs max.
10F1@reddit
Samsung z fold 5.
mrdude_69@reddit
Pixel 7a with Crdroid
random-user-420@reddit
I just use an iPhone 15 because I got it for free with my phone plan. They recently added Android phones so I’ll just switch to a Samsung S26 once I’m eligible for the next free upgrade later this year.
Healthy-Notice9439@reddit
I use an iPhone 16e, Thinkpad running debian + bazzite and a MacBook Air
I’m not missing out on much by using ios but android does come in handy if you use f droid as it has a lot of handy tools that you can supplement with linux on pc
Kde connect works perfectly fine on my iPhone though
C_hotpocketer@reddit
Kyocera duraxv extreme+
bankroll5441@reddit
Stock Android on a Pixel 10. Yeah, fuck Google but as someone that used GrapheneOS for a while, I can't deny that the experience on stock Android feels 10x better to me. I have nothing against Graphene and love what they're doing, but UI/UX is a big factor for me and Graphene felt unpolished.
I use Android because I get to install what I want (for now at least) and customize it as much as I want. I hate the stupid, dated look that iPhones have, especially with liquid ass.
Raevyxn@reddit
The Jolla phone is just launching and uses sailfishOS (Linux). It’s worth considering, but any user should know going in that this is a tiny team making this phone, customer support is slow, and although you can use most android apps on it, some of them will need tinkering to get them working.
GrapheneOS can be installed on pixel phones. It’s based on android, not Linux. It lets you install the google play store to get android apps, but also grants access to other stores. It is much more privacy focused and lets you take granular control of your phone and the apps on it.
Willing_Context7531@reddit
GrapheneOS on pixel.
If grapheneOS wasn't a thing, I would still go with android since it allows me to actually install whatever the fuck I want (for now).
urgentapathy@reddit
Galaxy S22 user here. I want a pixel but in my country pixel isn't really supported. I decided to get better earbuds so I just put myself in the Samsung ecosystem with theirs. So my next phone next year will be a Galaxy series, and giving up the prospect of graphene os.
One thing that I did not expect was progress on the S22 in postmarketos. Things are changing faster than I thought.
tuerda@reddit
The cheapest one I could find.
HieladoTM@reddit
RestlessOS, Samsung.
RoseBailey@reddit
I'm using a Pixel 8 Pro that is currently running GrapheneOS on my phone. My laptop is a Framework 16, and I'm running NixOS on it currently.
HieladoTM@reddit
RestlessOS, Samsung.
Kevin_Kofler@reddit
I am one of the few GNU/Linux desktop/notebook users also using a GNU/Linux smartphone. I currently use a Librem 5. I previously used a PinePhone, but its hardware reliability (2 PinePhones failing with the same bizarre hardware defect) has left me disappointed, so I jumped ship.
incompetentexercise@reddit
An old Samsung s10. I just get the simplest, oldest thing I can reasonably get my hands on
litelinux@reddit
Sony Xperia 10 IV. It has a headphone jack, notification LEDs, a microSD card slot, huge battery (5000 mAh), and overall pretty good build quality. (Not a paid promotion btw, just a satisfied user)
For the software, stock with copious amounts of hacks to degoogle and make it usable.
jhaimgirl@reddit
Nice. That xperia will run officially licensed Sailfish OS, but I think it is in beta.
litelinux@reddit
Yeah, and this is my main phone for now so I'm not gonna risk it. Maybe after I get a new one and this becomes a sidekick :)
PaintDrinkingPete@reddit
I’ve been an Android guy since the original “Droid” came out, never owned an iPhone, but do have an iPad that I’m using to post this comment right now.
As a long time Linux user and proponent of FOSS, I wish there were more options in that realm for mobile devices, but I’m also lazy and sucker for convenience, so I stick with what I’m used to.
darthpaulsw@reddit
iPhone. All my family uses iPhones and so it just make syncing calendars and schedules super easy.
SunspotGlare@reddit
GrapheneOS on Pixel 7 Pro
AssPennies@reddit
iPhone, because fuck google.
diesal3@reddit
If you really want Linux (and not Android) on a phone, you could probably get Ubuntu working on a phone.
HungrySecurity@reddit
I use Android for the flexibility of independent app installation. Tools like Termux provide a native Linux experience, allowing for seamless SSH access to my remote hosts.
SaintEyegor@reddit
iPhone 16 Pro - it does what I need
ElnuDev@reddit
GrapheneOS on Pixel 5
DramaticProtogen@reddit
Graphene
Kitayama_8k@reddit
Motorola edge phones that T-Mobile has free promos on. I got a like 3 extras instead of phone insurance. I prioritize always having a phone getting security updates still,I like an oled, and a 5k mAh battery, that's about all I need.
I was pretty excited about the repairability of HMD skyline phones (Nokia owner,) but then they paired it with 2 years of android updates and 1 extra year of security, so it wouldn't even be worth repairing unless you broke it immediately.
I don't really like Google tracking but I'm okay with it for the convenience of banking via phone and good maps. I try to leave as much off as possible.
yllanos@reddit
iPhone
The_real_bandito@reddit
iPhone or android
pseudonym-161@reddit
You can run Graphene OS on Pixels and many other OS’s on other android phones. A ton on Linux users don’t want google in their lives either or prefer to keep it to a minimum.
Meniny@reddit
An iPhone 17 Pro and a Samsung S24U. Both are great, but honestly I prefer the freedom of Android (especially with Termux).
SattuSupari789@reddit
Poco X7 Pro. value for money if you know what to debloat
dashinyou69@reddit
moto g54
ChampionshipIcy7602@reddit
I'd recommend iOS
WriterProper4495@reddit
Fedora on my computers, stock Android on my Pixel 10 Pro XL, soon to be replaced with GrapheneOS.
mrbmi513@reddit
I'm a pixel user, but really any modern android paired with KDEConnect/GSConnect integrates really well.
iamapizza@reddit
Pixel as its closest to Linux and the next step would be looking into graphene. There's also a Linux terminal feature they released recently which basically runs a vm.