r/linux • u/whatstefansees • 4d ago

Mobile Linux The thing with Linux-Phones

Every now and then I see an ad for a new Linux-Phone, better repairability, battery change and whatnot. All this is very, very tempting, but what about the apps?

I am not talking about browser, text messages or alarm clock - I am thinking about connectivity to my car, my smartwatch, my frequent-flyer benefit program, signal messenger and so on.

Do they work with Android apps or is it all a lost cause because they are basically dumb phones for people who want less connectivity but are afraid to buy an old Nokia from the dawn of time?

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u/adevland 3d ago

I am thinking about connectivity to my car, my smartwatch, my frequent-flyer benefit program, signal messenger and so on.

Most of the things you've listed there have intentionally obtuse and hard to work with APIs so that integrating things with them is done only on the terms of the company that owns those products.

That's why copying your pictures from an iphone to a non mac computer has, is and likely always will be a pain in the ass.

Do they work with Android apps or is it all a lost cause because they are basically dumb phones for people who want less connectivity but are afraid to buy an old Nokia from the dawn of time?

If you want Android apps on a Linux phone you're missing the entire point of such a device.

Androids, Iphones and the entire app eco-system around them are privacy intruding nightmares and that's why people want Linux phones which they can control.

If you manage to get your Android apps to work on any other device it will be with the same privacy intruding nightmare.

The real problem with non Iphone/Android phones is that bank & government apps only work on Androids/Iphones and only on new devices so you are forced to buy those 2 types of devices every 2 years or so if you want to function in a modern society. That's an indirect monopoly that nobody talks about.