this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2025
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Linux phones are more important now than ever. (feddit.org)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 35 minutes ago) by Ulrich@feddit.org to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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E: apparently it needs to be said that I am not suggesting you switch to Linux on your phone today; just that development needs to accelerate. Please don't be one of the 34 people that replied to tell me Linux is not ready.

Android has always been a fairly open platform, especially if you were deliberate about getting it that way, but we've seen in recent months an extremely rapid devolution of the Android ecosystem:

  1. The closing of development of an increasing number of components in AOSP.
  2. Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus have removed the option of bootloader unlocking on all of their devices. I suspect Google is not far behind.
  3. Google implementing Play Integrity API and encouraging developers to implement it. Notably the EU's own identity verification wallet requires this, in stark contrast to their own laws and policies, despite the protest of hundreds on Github.
  4. And finally, the mandatory implementation of developer verification across Android systems. Yes, if you're running a 3rd-party OS like GOS you won't be directly affected by this, but it will impact 99.9% of devices, and I foresee many open source developers just opting out of developing apps for Android entirely as a result. We've already seen SyncThing simply discontinue development for this reason, citing issues with Google Play Store. They've also repeatedly denied updates for NextCloud with no explanation, only restoring it after mass outcry. And we've already seen Google targeting any software intended to circumvent ads, labeling them in the system as "dangerous" and "untrusted". This will most certainly carry into their new "verification" system.

Google once competed with Apple for customers. But in a world where Google walks away from the biggest antitrust trial since 1998 with yet another slap on the wrist, competition is dead, and Google is taking notes from Apple about what they can legally get away with.

Android as we know it is dead. And/or will be dead very soon. We need an open replacement.

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[–] ICastFist@programming.dev 5 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

At this point, the "best" solution might be buying one of those SBC (single board computers) that also has an android image, like orangePi or ODroid and "build" the rest of the phone on top of it. Might be the only way people can get a screen smaller than 6" as well. I say Android in this case because it has access to all the apps without needing emulation or Waydroid

OOOOORRRRR, just buy an used older phone that you know is easy to unlock and install a custom rom. Did that with a motorola G6, am happy with lineage. Not the fastest phone by a long shot, especially as newer versions of many apps just introduce more bloat because fuck you, but perfectly usable for messaging and video watching. Also has a headphone jack!

[–] Raptorox@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 hour ago

There's already a project like the first thing you wrote, SPIRIT, built on top of a rpi cm5, currently in ideas and mb design stage

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 2 hours ago

I mean Android itself is the main problem here...

[–] kittenzrulz123@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 1 hour ago (2 children)

Ill address your issues with Android and then ill give my issues with mobile Linux:

1

  1. The closing of development of an increasing number of components in AOSP.

Yeah this is bad but not even devastating for custom roms like GOS or LineageOS

2

  1. Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus have removed the option of bootloader unlocking on all of their devices. I suspect Google is not far behind.

I highly doubt Google would lock the bootloader, they still make the most friendly devices for custom roms (yes even after all they have done). Also Samsung hasnt acturally allowed custom roms for a while now while Xiaomi doesn't either.

3

  1. Google implementing Play Integrity API and encouraging developers to implement it. Notably the EU's own identity verification wallet requires this, in stark contrast to their own laws and policies, despite the protest of hundreds on Github.

Even if a developer used the Play Integrity API it doesn't mean custom roms or other operating systems like GOS arent supported. I use GOS and have had no issues with play integrity, there are no incentives to require a certified Android device.

4

  1. And finally, the mandatory implementation of developer verification across Android systems. Yes, if you're running a 3rd-party OS like GOS you won't be directly affected by this, but it will impact 99.9% of devices, and I foresee many open source developers just opting out of developing apps for Android entirely as a result.

Sideloading isnt going anywhere and tbh I doubt this will be strongly enforced, Google will always have the threat of root resurfacing. You dont even need root to get rid of Google Play services and install MicroG.

Conclusion

Android as we know it is dead. And/or will be dead very soon. We need an open replacement.

That seems highly unlikely, even with everything Google has done the fact is AOSP is the only mature open source mobile project.

Now ill get to my issues with mobile Linux:
HardwareAs of now there is no good hardware and no plans by any company to make good hardware in the future.
UIMobile Linux interfaces are at least a decade behind Android, clunky and bearly usable. Btw yes I have tried them recently, they suck. For the most part mobile Linux interfaces are made by developers who would never acturally daily drive them.
Software supportNot a lot of Linux software supports arm and those that do either don't work with touchscreens or have them as an afterthought.
UXThe software that does work generals isnt designed with small screens in mind and are very often scaled down desktop apps
Basic functionalityBasic functionality is absolutely not there on Linux phones, things like calling and texing either require commands or outright dont work at all. For example according to the Postmarketos Wiki in order to change volume on a Pixel 3a during a call you need to manually change it with commands. Genuenly what the fuck, if im on an important call the other person isnt going to wait several hours for me to fiddle with the terminal. If I need to send a text now im not waiting several hours until it works.
SecurityMobile Linux has all the security issues as Linux with no mitigations, except phones contain a lot more personal information and are more likley to be a target for data extraction.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 37 minutes ago

Yeah this is bad but not even devastating for custom roms like GOS or LineageOS

Not yet. It's a concerning trend. It's certainly put a strain on their already-limited resources.

I highly doubt Google would lock the bootloader

...why not?

Also Samsung hasnt acturally allowed custom roms for a while now while Xiaomi doesn't either.

They had unlocked bootloaders. Now they don't. That's all I can say about that.

Even if a developer used the Play Integrity API it doesn't mean custom roms or other operating systems like GOS arent supported.

That's...exactly what that means. That's the entire point.

have had no issues with play integrity

Oh well I suppose if you have no issues, no one else is either? No. You're just not using the apps in question. But once again, it is a concerning growing trend. More and more apps are implementing it.

I doubt this will be strongly enforced

Why would Google lie about this?

As of now

As you might have read in the first sentence of the OP, I was not suggesting installing it now.

[–] Crozekiel@lemmy.zip 2 points 26 minutes ago

Graphene team already did a blog post about the lock down of AOSP and how it will significantly hinder their ability to support future hardware, since drivers was a huge part of what was moved closed source by google. Those open source drivers was the big driving force for why Graphene basically only supported Pixel phones. They made it significantly harder for people using AOSP derivatives currently to upgrade to a new phone when it is time.

[–] eclipse@sh.itjust.works -2 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

Android is Linux

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 45 minutes ago

:sigh:

[–] bonus_crab@lemmy.world 3 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Is identity verification for publishing android apps that bad? Both the app store and play store already have your billing information since you have to pay to publish an app anyway right?

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 6 points 3 hours ago (5 children)

Is identity verification for publishing android apps that bad?

What does "that bad" mean? It gives Google ultimate control over what apps you can install on "your" phone. Essentially bringing it on PAR with Apple.

Both the app store and play store already have your billing information since you have to pay to publish an app anyway right?

There are (currently) ways to distribute apps outside of Play Store on Android. So no.

[–] bonus_crab@lemmy.world 2 points 22 minutes ago* (last edited 22 minutes ago) (1 children)

Oh shutting down side loading? yeah no nvr mind i thought this only applied to the play store. how is that even legal, its blatantly monopolistic.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 15 minutes ago

how is that even legal

I dunno, ask Apple, they've been getting away with it for 20 years.

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[–] TheLazyNerd@europe.pub 2 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

I just bought the Fairphone 6 with /e/os. I am pleasantly surprised with how many apps work just fine.

[–] Tortellinius@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

What's e/os?

[–] Raptorox@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

Degoogled android

[–] Tortellinius@lemmy.world 1 points 45 minutes ago (1 children)

But it's still android?

[–] Raptorox@sh.itjust.works 1 points 18 minutes ago

Yeah it is. Just "deGoogled unGoogled" as they say

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[–] mr_right@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) (1 children)

indeed, android has been a shit show for the last couple of months and its not looking good.

i was thinking that this will make rooting and by extension custom ROMs prevalent again which hopefully will take us back to the golden age of android modding, but be careful of what you wish for.

I DON'T WANNA USE STOCK ANDROID. DON'T WANNA DON'T WANNA DON'T WANNA DON'T WANNA DON'T WANNA DON'T WANNA

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 8 minutes ago

Custom ROMs and rooting won't solve any of these problems.

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