this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2026
74 points (100.0% liked)

Linux Phones

2938 readers
7 users here now

The Discussion on Linux-based Phones.


Benefits:

  • Hardware freedom.
  • Perfect operating-system competition.
  • Full utilization of specs.
  • Phone lifespan raises to 10+ years.
  • Less e-waste.

Linux Mobile Distros:

  • Ubuntu Touch
  • Sailfish
  • FuriOS
  • Postmarket OS
  • Mobian
  • Pure OS
  • Plasma Mobile
  • LuneOS
  • openSUSE Mobile
  • Nemomobile
  • Droidian
  • Mobile NixOS
  • ExpidusOS
  • Maemo Leste
  • Manjaro Arm
  • Tizen
  • WebOS

Linux Mobile Hardware:

  • Fairphone 5
  • Volla Phone
  • PinePhone
  • FLX1
  • Librem 5

⚙️Contribute

🧼Go Clean From the Duopoly:

💻Related Communities:

📰News:

💬Messager:

⌚️Watch:


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Samsung disabling bootloader unlock and what Google is doing with Android reminded me that Bootloader Unlock Wall of Shame exists.
And also that FSF's LibrePhone project exists, but not much progress has been seen from that.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Yaky@slrpnk.net 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Recently learned that "unlocked phone" ≠ ”unlocked bootloader". Purchased an older OnePlus model that was listed as "Unlocked T-Mobile". Had to submit fastboot unlock key and other data to an online tool, got no response. Contacted support with the same info, they responded after several days saying "the unlock code you sent us is invalid" and "this is an older device and we have no way of unlocking it". Such reaponsibility from manufacturer.

FYI flashing a (hacky) Global ROM (in place of original T-Mobile/Metro/whatever) using official MSM tool allows fastboot unlocking without a code.

[–] cm0002@lemmings.world 1 points 3 days ago

With the exception of pixel phones where unlocked phone does mean (ability to) unlocked bootloader. Google's policy for pixels is as long as it's carrier unlocked, the bootloader unlock option is available (you still need to trigger it in dev options)

With the exception of Verizon, because Verizon is a cunt about unlocking bootloader's. Fuck Verizon.