this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2025
251 points (98.1% liked)

Linux

9289 readers
383 users here now

A community for everything relating to the GNU/Linux operating system (except the memes!)

Also, check out:

Original icon base courtesy of lewing@isc.tamu.edu and The GIMP

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Ategon@programming.dev
anzo@programming.dev
dwraf_of_ignorance@programming.dev
251
Linux phones are more important now than ever. (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 days ago by cm0002@lemmy.world to c/linux@programming.dev
28 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

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.

OC Author @Ulrich@feddit.org

top 28 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] HappyFrog@lemmy.blahaj.zone 55 points 2 days ago (5 children)

I really want to stop using Android, but I feel like linux mobile isn't functional enough yet.

[–] StrixUralensis@tarte.nuage-libre.fr 18 points 2 days ago (3 children)

And especially very very expensive for what it is

[–] 9tr6gyp3@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

PinePhones are fairly cheap linux phone devices

[–] gianni@lemmy.ca 11 points 2 days ago

Pinephones are impractical for day-to-day usage. They are underpowered dev kits.

[–] StrixUralensis@tarte.nuage-libre.fr 2 points 2 days ago

They are very expensive in europe

[–] Jumuta@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 days ago

the used phones that postmarketos supports are pretty cheap aren't they?

[–] HappyFrog@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 day ago

I already own a fairphone, and those are supposed to be the best fitting for ubuntu touch. I'm contemplating installing it, but am not really exited to backing up everything properly. I'm also a little worried about breaking something :/

[–] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yeah. Hopefully the increasing importance will drive more development time and users that way incrementally, and things will improve.

My impression is that for the moment things are still a rough, just have to hope it won't stay that way.

[–] Flagstaff@programming.dev 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Which project is best to back, though?

[–] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

For you personally? Whichever one appeals to you.

Thats always how FOSS has worked. It might be nice to have a unified effort to get one experience to a polished state, but the reality is that's never how linux or FOSS has worked when there are multiple projects. Users and devs and sponsors will gravitate to the ones they wanna use 🤷

[–] Flagstaff@programming.dev 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I am not Linux-savvy enough to figure out which one may appeal to me, I mean. The most phone-critical services for me would be GPS-guided navigation and Syncthing compatibility, probably. I'm not sure of how to research which ones may have both...

[–] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Ah, gotcha. For the moment, I wouldn't think any of them are in an amazing state for daily driving to be honest, potentially depending on what functionality you need from your phone. I could be mistaken though, I haven't kept up with reviews or anything.

Reviews where people look at what all is functional would likely be your best starting place if you'd like to explore (I see them pop up periodically on youtube). Last I saw, the basic apps were reasonably funtional but core phone features like calling people was kinda jank or not working properly. But this was a while ago.

That being said, I think this is a fairly slow moving space at the moment. Hopefully this helps

Edit: just checked and it looks like there are two linux phones comms my instance is federated with, there may be some useful/interesting articles or info there !linuxphones@lemmy.ml !linuxphones@lemmy.ca .ml is more active (as usual for linux comms, as they were the first instance), but I don't keep up with whose instance is federated or defederated from them

[–] martijndevrieze@europe.pub 2 points 1 day ago

Earlier this year I did a trial run again with a Linux phone and functionality is, at least for me, still too limited for it to be a viable replacement. Tried the JollaPhone with Sailfish for about a month, I really wanted it to work. Gave it up since at some point it simply was costing me a lot of productive time just to keep up with things.

[–] troed@fedia.io 9 points 2 days ago

I'm waiting for the followup to this where he's going to talk about Ubuntu Touch:

https://tilvids.com/w/rupHv17eDSj1bUbDzgunGC

[–] Vanilla_PuddinFudge@infosec.pub 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I used a Oneplus 6T on PMOS/Phosh for a week.

It ain't ready. I work in an iffy area as far as coverage is concerned and I missed a lot of messages. My 7pro on Lineage can deal with it, but sometimes I'd turn the OP6T on, and find networking off entirely with it working, or vice versa.

Software-wise, if you know and comfortably use a Linux laptop, you'll be at home. Having said that, realize that 90% of people won't be. You will absolutely have to use the terminal and will be entirely lost and confused if you don't already have experience with the system.

Also software-wise, know that most Linux software is made with the idea that you're not sipping data. Open Jellyfin for the 40th time and it will redownload the same images,... for the 40th time, or a random firefox tab sipping data off of you 24/7 without you even being aware of it. Laptops are different, and it's what the system thinks it is, so it's going to perform that way, not like the phone that's stapled and duct taped to it.

[–] swelter_spark@reddthat.com 2 points 2 days ago

That's useful info, and something I didn't think about before. I guess programs with a low bandwidth mode are your friend.

[–] BoloMKXXVIII@piefed.social 9 points 1 day ago

I dream of a fully functional Linux phone. If one ever really hits the market, the carriers won't allow it on their networks. Too much money in stealing your data.

[–] paulbg@programming.dev 4 points 1 day ago

i’ve been wanting an open-source powered phone for a long time. the idea that the most personal device you carry every day is basically just a bundle of spyware feels absurd to me.

[–] illusionist@lemmy.zip 22 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Companies locking the bootloading screams for a new EU law regarding the matter to strengthen customers.

According to this post https://xiaomitime.com/eu-kills-android-bootloader-unlock-starting-august-1-59449/ there is already a EU law weakening customers.

" In 2022, a new set of rules (delegated act 2022/30) brought cybersecurity front and center.

As of August 2025, manufacturers selling devices in the EU need to:

  • Block the installation of unauthorized software
  • Use Secure Boot (or similar) to verify firmware authenticity
  • Ensure only signed and approved ROMs can run "
[–] troed@fedia.io 19 points 2 days ago

No the EU law does not require manufacturers to disallow unlocking the bootloader. Actually, it specifically says the law should NOT be used as an excuse to do that.

The law requires high security when it comes to the radio (baseband) part of the phone - and that has always been a separate enclave anyway compared to the OS.

[–] basiclemmon98@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I'm just gonna go buy an old mp3 player, a small calander and a watch with an alarm, as well as get a VOIP service for my laptop at this rate. What is google even thinking?

[–] YurkshireLad@lemmy.ca 12 points 2 days ago (2 children)

We need to go back to carrying a flip phone and a Psion iii. 😁

[–] BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm definitely considering a dumb phone with tethering capabilities to use a less locked-down device.

[–] Sandevistan@programming.dev 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Thats exactly my go to setup right now but for different reasons, I struggled with doomscrolling no matter how much I'd dumb my phone down.

I'm using a Nokia 6300 4G for tethering/calls and a Thinkpad for everything else.

[–] noughtnaut@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Honestly, the Psion 5 was an absolute beauty. Also the Revo of you wanted it cheaper.

I still keep a Palm V by my nightstand because its baclklighting is just 😗👌 compared to today's thousand-nit 6" oled phones.

[–] Flagstaff@programming.dev 5 points 2 days ago

Lowercase "t":

Is it “syncthing”, “Syncthing” or “SyncThing”?¶

It’s Syncthing, although the command and source repository is spelled syncthing so it may be referred to in that way as well. It’s definitely not ~~SyncThing~~, even though the abbreviation st is used in some circumstances and file names.

- https://docs.syncthing.net/users/faq.html#is-it-syncthing-syncthing-or-syncthing

[–] someacnt@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Regarding the first point:

This does not mean that Google is making Android a closed-source platform, but rather that the open-source aspect will only be released when a new branch is released to AOSP with those changes, including when new full versions or maintenance releases are finished.

It seems like the particular news does not mean android is increasingly going closed-source, just that the dev branch will be private. Is there an evidence that they are taking components out of AOSP?

[–] MTK@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

Google has stopped releasing essential files—like device trees and driver binaries—with the Android 16 source code. These files are critical for developers to build and maintain custom ROMs, especially for Pixel devices. The new reference device for AOSP is now the virtual “Cuttlefish,” limiting real-device support.