Weekly GNU-like #MobileLinux Update (19/2025): Waking it up to wake you up
I have a Lumbago, so in all likelihood, I won't be able to publish another installment of the "Weekly #MobileLinux Update" tonight. Sorry about that! #LinuxMobile
For my #mobilelinux peeps here are instructions on setting up widevine L3 so you can atleast access some DRM content. I have tested this on the furilabs #FLX1 and #pinephonepro and they both now have widevine support. Biggest thing for me is spotify web pwa, some people can use it to view 480p atleast on netflix assuming you set the UA correctly. This should work on all #ARM based device as it is software based. Thanks #AsahiLinux for creating the script
https://blog.luigi311.com/widevine/
So yesterday I saw a @postmarketOS toot about their web flasher for Android devices, and I thought - how hard would it be to make one for L5? Turns out - not hard at all. Here it is booting Jumpdrive.
Some caveats:
- requires permission setting on Linux 
I may work out-of-box on other platforms though
- it's sloooow, but there's hope: https://github.com/WebAssembly/design/issues/1271
- asks 5 times to allow access to the device. Could go down to 3, but no less than that.
@triskelion @purism I appreciate what GrapheneOS and other projects are doing. I wish gOS good luck in:
- getting early access to future #AOSP sources as development is no longer public.
- fixing the myriad of #Google shenanigans with the OS and Chromium.
- getting mental health help for the main developer - he deserves all the help he can get.
Unlike gOS, #Linuxphone development is not riding on decades of Google funded development of the OS. Progress is therefore slower but it is improving gradually.
Besides #PureOS, there is also #Mobian and #postmarketOS - I especially look forward to the latter's future #ImmutableOS version which would have security benefits as well.
Weekly GNU-like #MobileLinux Update (18/2025): Mobile Overlord adds Desktop Mode
> more importantly, postmarketOS is a way of reducing eWaste
I firmly disagree about the relative importance of things here.
In my opinion, the more important issue is reducing our dependence on Google.
The most important thing that makes postmarketOS great is that it allows people to be more independent from Google. Google's dominance in the world (in which Android plays a big part) is a bigger threat to humanity than eWaste.
I just ordered a used Pixel. What should I put on it?
I’d love to hear your recs and comments!
This is an excellent showcase by "orailnoor" of the Mobian OS with KDE (Debian Linux on the phone) - it's not ready for daily driving, but it looks good:
So fediverse, I'm battling through the break-in of a new #PinePhone right now, and figured y'all would have opinions or good advice on what OS to use. I'm partial to Arch from desktop use, but the Arch ARM stuff doesn't look like it's currently vigorously maintained? Already the pre-installed Manjaro with Plasma was incredibly buggy, but then again, it was very out-of-date. A system upgrade broke boot though, so now I'm looking at new images to start from.
Boosts appreciated.
Hello
Does anyone know how to install the proprieraty drivers for the #librem5 to replace the etnaviv driver ?
I dont find any documentation about it
Weekly GNU-like #MobileLinux Update (17/2025): LAS and funding news
So, my beloved OP6t broke today (screen damage) and since i will now retire it to be a #MobileLinux test device.
What i want from a successor device:
- repairability
- close to mainline linux
- waydroid with working bluetooth
So the question is, does such a device exist?
I know about the #FuriLabs #FuriFLX1, which does run on halium/no mainline and has no repairability afaik. Other "android first" phones usually lack hardware support.
Do you know what is really cool and handy of #Linux phones like the #Librem5?
You can save files, like tickets directly from your computer on your #phone, for example in the #Phosh #ticketbox directory.
The #GNOME save dialog allows to save to another device, like your Linux phone if it is accessible over ssh / sftp.
KRetro has been (finally) ported to KF6 thanks to @sungsphinx !
(I'll probably start working on it again)
@drew_belloc @noodlejetski @drew_belloc @noodlejetski I don't have a dock either. I do have a favourites row though, and currently these are the pinned apps (arranged in no particular order):
1. Calls by #GNOME & #Purism
2. Chats (#Chatty) by Purism & GNOME - supports #SMS, #Matrix, #XMPP
3. Contacts by GNOME
4. #Firefox web browser by #Mozilla
5. #SignalMessenger
6. GNOME Settings
7. #Phosh Mobile Settings
8. Tweaks by #postmarketOS
9. #Tuba (client for #Mastodon / #Fediverse)
10. #Kasts by #KDE
11. #DeltaChat (#openstandards-based, #securityaudited, fast #e2ee chats over bloody #email!)
12. Files / #Nautilus by GNOME
All #FreeSoftware /Libre, #OpenSource #FOSS / #FLOSS : )
Note: The home screen and the app drawer / search / overview is all one and the same.
Just donated to the effort to improve sound quality on the #Librem5 when using #pipewire: https://opencollective.com/dephcom/projects/pipewire-echo
I'd be even more happy about the approach of sponsoring development through the community if this donation would be accepted as being for an official non-profit organization accepted as such in Germany.
Giving for #OpenSource should be respected as a a benefit to the public and appreciated by the government by whatever means they do this for other purposes (in Germany it's possible to declare such donations for reducing taxes to pay).
Hey #MobileLinux community - if everybody gives a little there'll be a fair pay for someone doing this work.
The first prototype board for the Liberux NEXX has been produced, and the team is testing, debugging, and preparing to validate RAM, storage, cameras and display and other hardware for this Linux-based phone with an RK3588S processor. https://liberux.net/our-first-dev-board-has-arrived/ #LiberuxNEXX #Liberux #LinuxSmartphones #MobileLinux
Question about #PostmarketOS. Is it possible to install an admin user, and then have a (literal) child user with restricted access to installed apps etc?
I'm trying to figure out how to configure a relatively safe #MobileLinux system for young people.
For example, no access to browser until 13yo, blocking adult sites until 18 , using timekpr-nxt to limit use of phone etc
![Chromium window displaying an emscripten shell page and devtools console. In the console there's:
> navigator.usb.requestDevice({filters: []})
Promise (<pending>)
> Module.callMain(['-lsusb'])
uuu (Universal Update Utility) for nxp imx chips -- libuuu_1.5.201-11-gf2a4e3e24503
Connected Known USB Devices
Path Chip Pro Vid Pid BcdVersion Serial_no
=======================================
1:0 MX8MQ SDP: 0x1FC9 0x012B 0x0001 NXP FLASH
Overall, this presents the Librem 5 (and other things based on i.MX chips) flashing utility running in a browser and detecting a connected phone over WebUSB.](https://social.librem.one/system/media_attachments/files/020/123/258/original/101c06fab9223edf.png "Chromium window displaying an emscripten shell page and devtools console. In the console there's:
> navigator.usb.requestDevice({filters: []})
Promise (<pending>)
> Module.callMain(['-lsusb'])
uuu (Universal Update Utility) for nxp imx chips -- libuuu_1.5.201-11-gf2a4e3e24503
Connected Known USB Devices
Path Chip Pro Vid Pid BcdVersion Serial_no
=======================================
1:0 MX8MQ SDP: 0x1FC9 0x012B 0x0001 NXP FLASH
Overall, this presents the Librem 5 (and other things based on i.MX chips) flashing utility running in a browser and detecting a connected phone over WebUSB.")
