A user has decided to move away from Android to Linux, citing growing dissatisfaction with Google’s path for the Android Open Source Project. According to their account, frustrations include dependency on Google Play Services, tracking capabilities, restrictions on custom ROM development, and recent limitations on app installation freedom.
The mobile Linux ecosystem presents challenges but shows promise, according to the user’s assessment. Ubuntu Touch survived abandonment by Canonical and continues development, while postmarketOS maintains active development despite limited hardware support. SailfishOS, which includes some proprietary components, has made progress with Android app compatibility and launched a new Jolla 2 device.
The user selected SailfishOS for their Fairphone 4, which supports multiple Linux distributions. They praise its gesture-based navigation, application framework, and Linux foundation, noting the ability to SSH into the device from a PC. However, they encountered issues including outdated Python and glibc versions, broken waydroid and GPS functionality on the Fairphone port, and community-built apps of varying quality.
Ubuntu Touch remains an alternative, though the user identified drawbacks including lack of waydroid support, syncing issues between notifications and clipboard, and what they describe as lackluster default and native apps compared to Android and SailfishOS. They also found it difficult to block phone numbers—a needed feature for their cellular provider.
The user cannot fully abandon Android yet due to functional gaps. They lack access to apps needed for bank and government service verification in Norway and security applications required in Brazil, such as Uber. To address this, they maintain a Galaxy A17 backup phone, using a wifi hotspot from their Fairphone 4 to access necessary services before disconnecting.
The user plans to document their experience as it progresses and is considering purchasing a Jolla Phone 2 upon returning to Norway, suggesting cautious optimism about the Linux phone ecosystem despite current limitations.
Key facts
- User cites Google Play Services dependency, tracking, ROM restrictions, and app installation limitations as reasons for switching to SailfishOS
- SailfishOS chosen for Fairphone 4; Ubuntu Touch and postmarketOS also available but have their own limitations
- Waydroid functionality on SailfishOS is broken on the Fairphone port, preventing access to necessary banking and verification apps
- User maintains a backup Android phone (Galaxy A17) for services requiring native Android apps like banking and Uber