Doesn’t require root, installed on top of Android, launches like an app.
Best, lowest risk way to get familiar with the capabilities without requiring a new device with specific distro support. I’m a huge believer in having things you can actually experience in your hands.
Mobile distros:
- Mobian (aims to mainline into Debian)
- Droidian
- Maemo Leste
- Postmarket (based on Alpine)
- Manjaro (based on Arch)
- Ubuntu Touch
- Pocket Blue (Fedora-based)
- Others
Mobile desktop environments options to try on your distro:
- Phosh (Gnome-based)
- Plasma Mobile
- Lomiri
- GNOME (mobile) Shell
You could even try installing Waydroid in it for Xzibit-style Android-ception
Haven’t tried it personally but from what I’ve read the main problem is that the phone stops functioning as it’s (arguably) main purpose: calling and texting.
You’re right in that you will not be able to forward calls and texts from Android to your app-based Linux distro call and text apps, but internet-based apps should work.
This method is how the Nexphone provides a GNU/Linux environment
As much as I wish it were possible, no one calls me on “internet-based apps”.
Fair enough 😆
If you have a SIP provider, this can be hooked up to the GNOME Calls app, and GNOME Chats lets you connect to XMPP and Matrix. Not everyone will have those, but it is one step above the native Android & iOS apps in that you can actually use them without telephony.
They have better wake mechanisms than something like Signal Desktop, Element Desktop etc do currently.
Unfortunately some companies demand SMS verification for some services. Those services will often reject SMS verification from VoIP providers. Like I literally CANNOT access my health insurance without a stupid normal SMS.
Dat shit cray. My grampa has no idea how to use a mobile phone so he just doesn’t have one. Thankfully no such requirements where we live