RE: https://androiddev.social/@MishaalRahman/115849772521760098

It’s worth repeating. Android is not a viable base for an independent or even just collaborative operating system. Android is Google and only Google’s project.

If you want to see an actually transparent, international, and collaborative system on phones, support @postmarketOS

#android #opensource

@thibaultamartin @postmarketOS

The last time I checked postmarketOS, it was a hacky hobby project not being able to use it on daily base, because almost nothing worked.

And the only usable messenger – if you want to connect with normies – is Signal and because it's the desktop version, it will look weird and UE is bad using desktop versions on mobile devices.

Do you use postmarketOS on a daily base?

@utopify_org @thibaultamartin @postmarketOS From 'almost nothing worked' (as you described) it's now almost everything works in 2026 : ) I daily drive it on a #Librem5 and that's my experience. Looking at other devices, even OP6, Pixel3a and Fairphones, I think the Librem is still the best supported device held back only by its more modest-spec hardware. My only issue is turn-by-turn navigation is not as smooth as in Android especially if your vehicle is moving fast. Calls with VoLTE, SMS, data, camera, etc all work reliably as long as your carrier isn't blocking it.

@opensourceopenmind @thibaultamartin @postmarketOS

hmmm… the Librem 5 costs $800 and I ask myself: For what?

It's not possible to communicate with "normal" people, who gave up their freedom. Without Whatsapp, it's hard to connect with new people, without Signal it's hard to stay in touch with friends and family (and they only use Signal, because I forced them).

I mean, there is a chance that Trump makes more stuff what he does, because in Europe were is already a movement to leave Big Tech companies.

So maybe people will start to use XMPP. At that point postmarketOS might make sense.

But for now it's just a playground for Linux enthusiasts imho.

@utopify_org @thibaultamartin @postmarketOS The #flatpak arm build of #SignalApp works great on the #Librem 5 with #postmarketOS and #PureOS Crimson. I also use it with family and friends, along with #DeltaChat.

@opensourceopenmind @thibaultamartin @postmarketOS

I've read that it's the desktop version of Signal and that it is hard to write and not the whole app can be used.

Deltachat might be a good idea, because it's easier to teach people how to use it. There is even a method to only scan a qr code and start.

@utopify_org @thibaultamartin @postmarketOS Yes fully agree on Delta Chat - the easiest onboarding in any messenger.

Regarding Signal on Linux mobile, it and **all** apps on Linux mobile are desktop apps! The Signal desktop sidebars can be collapsed and then it is easy to write.

@opensourceopenmind @utopify_org @thibaultamartin @postmarketOS

I also use a #Librem5 from @purism as my daily phone.

I also use the Signal flatpak, and it works pretty well for me. I zoom out a little bit to have a better experience on the small phone screen.

I also use the upcoming crimson version of #PureOS.

@janvlug @opensourceopenmind @thibaultamartin @postmarketOS @purism@librem.one

Isn't it a little bit weird to use desktop apps on a mobile phone? I imagine the font is always too small, because if you got the same app, but on a smaller screen, everything must be pretty small.

And if you zoom in, icons and the design might deform and it looks clunky. At least that's what I imagine…

Do you have to zoom on every app, like browsers, too?

@utopify_org @janvlug @thibaultamartin
Screenshot of #SignalDesktop I took last year on #Librem5:

@opensourceopenmind @janvlug @thibaultamartin

Okay, I see. I tried it on my notebook, too, but I have to say it's pretty annoying, because many of my contacts (like yours), do not use a profile picture. It's hard to figure out who the icon is and I can only see if, if I open the chat.

Do you know by any chance a smartphone on which pmos will work pretty good? But it should be an older model and not too expensive. (The compatibility data on the wiki might be too old, I don't trust it)

@utopify_org
- #SignalApp lets you mark the chat as unread again after you've opened it.
- My impression was that all the devices in the #postmarketOS community category are older models, except perhaps the #Fairphone 6.
- What do you want the device for? Even for daily driving, people need different features. I, for example, have totally abandoned voice calls, and use a data-only plan, although voice calls do work on the #Librem5 with my provider.

I've seen that the OnePlus 6/6T, Google Pixel 3a and Fairphone 5 are mostly recommended by users. In my experience, the Librem 5 is better supported except for GPS - you need an internet connection and Wi-Fi toggled on.

@opensourceopenmind @utopify_org

I have the impression that GPS on (some of?) the earliest released Librem 5's did not work so well. On my current Librem 5 GPS works well (although AGPS is not there yet).

@janvlug I have gotten GPS turn-by-turn in-car navigation to work amazingly sometimes, but then the following week it would not be that reliable. Only in #PureOS Crimson, I noticed that because of the #BeacondDB integration, if my Wi-Fi was toggled on, the location fix was near instant : ) Same on pmOS. Tried Sebastian's AGNSS script on both and it doesn't really appear to make a difference : (

When I'm moving in a fast moving car (>50km/h), the location lags behind a bit by a few hundred metres. If I'm walking, it's much better - so I think it's only the Wi-Fi based location fix that's really working reliably.

If fast location fix (without Wi-Fi) and turn-by-turn navigation worked consistently and reliably, I'd say the #Librem5 is a complete Android replacement (for me at least). Currently, I still need to take an old degoogled Android with OrganicMaps as a backup when driving to totally new and far areas; it works in airplane mode without any network connection and with no SIM.