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:

Mobile desktop environments options to try on your distro:

You could even try installing Waydroid in it for Xzibit-style Android-ception

  • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
    91·
    8 days ago

    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.

    • Canuck@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      71·
      8 days ago

      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

      • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
        111·
        8 days ago

        but internet-based apps should work.

        As much as I wish it were possible, no one calls me on “internet-based apps”.

        • Canuck@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
          61·
          8 days ago

          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.

          • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
            111·
            8 days ago

            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.

            • Canuck@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
              2·
              8 days ago

              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

    • Canuck@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      2·
      8 days ago

      You could try installing Samsung’s Tizen GNU/Linux OS via Termux and let us know how it goes.

      To my understanding, they have the same looking UI such that if Samsung ever wanted to move customers over from Android everything would look familar, without their customers knowing it’s a different OS under the hood.

  • CodenameDarlen@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    8 days ago

    Is it possible to dual boot my device and keep the Android isolated while being able to run Linux in other partition?

    • Canuck@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      2·
      8 days ago

      I’m sure it’s possible, but you’d need a device specifically supported by the distro, you’d probably need a custom bootloader, among other things that make it not as easy as doing dual-boot on a less locked down device. It’s probably harder on purpose by Google.