Linux Phones

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Community about running GNU/Linux on phones. Projects like Ubuntu Touch, Plasma Mobile, PostmarketOS, Mobian etc. Either on former Android phones or hardware like the PinePhone.

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What used phone should I get to try alternative OS? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hi everyone,

Having successfully left windows for Linux (Fedora) a few years ago, I thought I’d the same for my phone.

I have a professional iPhone 13 provided by my employer, but I have an old Samsung GT-I8730 lying around.

Sadly, there is apparently nothing (except stock Android) that I could easily install on it.

So I’m kind of looking for a cheap second hand phone that I could get for my birthday in order to try to have a degoogled and deappleified private phone (I’m now using my work iPhone for everything).

What phone should I buy for max 150.- (around 180$) second hand?

Also what OS should I try to install on it?

To be honest, I’m really a rookie in the phone world and I’m not even sure if I’m looking for a degoogled Android phone (/e/os, lineage, graphene) or a linux phone (Ubuntu touch, KDE mobile).

It would be important for me to be able to daily drive the phone. Listening to music and using my banking apps on it would be important features.

So I’m looking for advice regarding all of this and I’m thankful in advance for your help.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Waydroid might help with that, but no guarantees.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

If the app requires safetynet, it probably won't.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

From what I’m seeing on the /e/os website and their list of compatible devices (https://doc.e.foundation/devices), a lot if phones would get « safetynet »(even if I don’t really know what it means).

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Safetynet is a technology that google created that can make apps refuse to run on modified phones. I tried some methods to circumvent it a few years ago, but none worked for me. I wonder if there are better methods today.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for the answer👍

I’m trying to learn a maximum of information before buying any phone, but it’s difficult to find answers sometimes.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Perhaps you could try experimenting with your older phone before buying something and risking naking some mistake. I believe this rom is compatible with it:

https://xdaforums.com/t/gt-i8730-t-rom-unofficial-7-1-x-lineageos-14-1-for-samsung-galaxy-express.3468140/

Although a bit dated, doing that can help you get more experience with the process of u lockingthe bootloader, flashing a custom rom, etc.

Note: I was going to edit a typo in the previous comment, and accidentally delet it, sorry.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago

Oh thanks 🙏 I guess I’m gonna try this first.