Convert a "smart"phone to Linux

[Star Rider]

Hello,
I has the project to get a "real" Linux phone (not an altered Linux like Android), both to support Open Source development and because I'm a Linux fan. After some research on the web, I discovered Manjaro with Plasma Mobile. I also found phones shipped with this OS, but I am not in position to buy a new phone.
Today I have two phones: a Wiko Sunny 2, my old phone I never took time to get rid of – a "garbage" phone that nobody will regret if I run into troubles with – and my current phone (a Xiaomi Redmi 6, 8-cores ARM Cortex A-53, RAM 3Gb, 64GB storage). The question is: is it possible to safely install Manjaro Plasma Mobile on one of them, or even on both? And if so, how can I do it?

 

[Star Rider]

I has

I have – shame on me!

 

[mrcrossroads]

Hello,
I has the project to get a "real" Linux phone (not an altered Linux like Android), both to support Open Source development and because I'm a Linux fan. After some research on the web, I discovered Manjaro with Plasma Mobile, ehich. I also found phones shipped with this OS, but I am not in position to buy a new phone.
Today I have two phones: a Wiko Sunny 2, my old phone I never took time to get rid of – a "garbage" phone that nobody will regret if I run into troubles with – and my current phone (a Xiaomi Redmi 6, 8-cores ARM Cortex A-53, RAM 3Gb, 64GB storage). The question is: is it possible to safely install Manjaro Plasma Mobile on one of them, or even on both? And if so, how can I do it?

Not sure about all of that, but Pine64 have two phones on sale now with Manjaro Plasma.

PinePhone with convergence - $199 (32GB)
PinePhone - $149 (16GB)

And SD slots to add more storage.

 

[Star Rider]

I know about these phones. But today I am REALLY not in position to buy any phone, even these ones!
I also looked at Ubuntu Touch, but none of the current "smart" phones – neither my current one, nor my garbage ones – are on the list...
I read an article about Lineage OS, PostMarketOS, and Sailfish OS (I will find it back one day, but for now it's lost in my bookshelf), but I don't know much about them... I keep searching.

 

[mrcrossroads]

I know about these phones. But today I am REALLY not in position to buy any phone, even these ones!
I also looked at Ubuntu Touch, but none of the current "smart" phones – neither my current one, nor my garbage ones – are on the list...
I read an article about Lineage OS, PostMarketOS, and Sailfish OS (I will find it back one day, but for now it's lost in my bookshelf), but I don't know much about them... I keep searching.

The only true Linux phone I can find that looks like it MIGHT be "daily driver" material is the Librem 5. And at the high cost of the phone with such low specs, it's not worth it for me.

I received my PinePhone a little while back and it's just what the company claims; a hobby phone. If I can figure out how to install PostMarketOS I'll report back if it's any more useable, but I seriously doubt it.

 

[SpongebobFan1994]

I've ran into this problem myself when looking to upgrade from my awful Alcatel Go Flip 4. What I've concluded is the plethora of Linux distros leads to hardware compatibility issues, which is why most phones run Stock Android (that, and Stock Android is developed by Google, who has many hands in many pockets). There are deGoogled Android distros you can install, such as Lineage and /e/, but again, it all depends on if the hardware is capable of working with it. While the Pinephone and Librem 5 are purposely designed to work with Linux and Android distros, the PP's specs are nothing spectatular (and sounds like it's on par with a Raspberry Pi), while the L5's price point is still high and it's notoriously-known for shipping delays due to the current supply chain issues.

Tbh (and not to burst your bubble when saying this), I think putting Linux on a smartphone is a lost cause, only because there's a growing trend where people are ditching their smart devices, including their smartphones. These smart devices are designed to be complicated, expensive, spyware, addicting, and to make it's user dumber and lazier, and more people are getting tired of how technology has become so invasive in their daily lives. That's not to say Linux or deGoogled Android couldn't end up on a basic phone one day.

 

[Sudo It]

As @SpongebobFan1994 mentioned, degoogled and linux phones are not going to replace android phones anytime soon because you can't install any famous app on them. Banking apps aren't gonna work too. however, if your intention is removing spyware from your phone, you can choose a degoogle rom for your phone and install gapps on them. XDA developer forum has many degoogled roms, you can check(do not install any rom that isn't developed for your device model).

Sailfish OS

There's a free version of sailfish os, but to get full support you have to buy their license.

Believe me, completely degoogling your phone is a headache when you have to interact with other people.

 

[vikozo]

maybe this help https://ubports.com/de/

 

[theAlpman]

Hi !
I installed /e/ on my Samsung S7 1 year ago now, with success.
They provide an "easyinstaller" on Linux and Windows for a couple devices : https://doc.e.foundation/devices.
The transition from Android was 95% painless although there are occasional crashes of some apps. Also I have to look for the apk sometimes (on apkmonk or apkpure for instance) because the /e/ app library doesn't have everything (especially my banking apps, you're right Tharindu).
But I'd do it again 100 times and my wife is going to make the transition too.
I hope you'll find what you need.

 

[KGIII]

My ancient dinosaur phone is an LG V20 Titan and still runs just fine. I already had them unlock it. It's still plenty powerful. Heck, it has better stats (including memory) than many of the computers used by forum members. Maybe I'll try flashing one of the roms (there are a few that will work with my phone) before trying the Purism offering.