Smooth Edges: Bug Report (updated 25, 2025)

[mariogrip]

Smooth Edges: Current Bug Report

Ubuntu Touch Bug Fixing Initiative

Updated: November 27, 2024
Source: https://forums.ubports.com/topic/11644/smooth-edges-name-pending-let-s-fix-the-bugs-that-drive-you-mad

I'll keep this up to date

Note this is taken directly, this will need to be cleaned up once collecting is done

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Table of Contents

1. Priority 0: Platform Viability
2. Priority 1: Core System Stuff
3. Priority 2: Basic Phone Features
4. Priority 3: Daily Use
5. Priority 4: Polish
6. Priority 5: Nice to Have
7. Installer Issues
8. General Themes

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Priority 0: Platform Viability

Definition: Issues that affect the viability and sustainability of the platform itself.

Device Hardware & Support

• Most phones are 5+ years old - No one wants to invest in outdated phones with poor batteries. Future development not guaranteed, relies on individual contributors. Suggested solution: New "primary device" released every two years.

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Priority 1: Core System Stuff

Definition: Boot loops, crashes, phone completely unusable. Fix immediately.

System Stability

• Random Lomiri crashes - System randomly crashing
• Lomiri freezing/crashing after extended use - Phone gets stuck/freezes after using it longer without rebooting or using more than 3-4 apps. Lomiri crashes and restarts.
• Lomiri crashes on shutdown/restart - Bug since 2015: When you've opened more than 3 apps and try to restart/poweroff, Lomiri crashes and restarts. Have to select restart/poweroff again.
• Passcode prompt stops working (Volla Quintus, 1.x daily channel) - Number keys don't enter characters or phone doesn't respond to full passcode entry
• Battery drainage on LTE - Missing proper app state management (background/foreground/suspended). Works on 2G with battery-saver app, but phone lasting less than a full day is not reliable.
• Daily reboots without command (Poco NFC X3) - Device reboots and disconnects SIM about every 12 hours (device-specific)

Networking & VPN

• OpenVPN non-functional/unfriendly - Can't access corporate networks, complicated terminal setup that doesn't work

Device-Specific

• Apps not properly accessing apparmor - Camera app on OP5T and other devices have apparmor errors in logs, unclear if they're important or can be ignored
• Mobile data on SIM2 doesn't work - PR exists for this issue

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Priority 2: Basic Phone Features

Definition: Calls, SMS, WiFi, Bluetooth, notifications, camera. If these don't work, it's not really a phone.

Bluetooth Connectivity

• Car Bluetooth connectivity issues:
  • Bluetooth audio playback problems in car
  • Car refuses to turn up music volume
  • Contacts don't sync - only shows numbers when calling, not names
  • Music controls (play/pause/previous) unreliable from car/headphones
  • Music auto-continues after Bluetooth disconnect
  • Answering calls while driving unreliable due to connectivity/UI issues
• General Bluetooth improvements needed - Usable with certain prerequisites but could be better
• Bluetooth almost unusable - No file transfer possible, no HFP (hands-free profile) in cars

Email & Notifications

• IMAP email notifications don't work (outside Gmail)
• Green email icon persists even after viewing notifications - should revert to non-active state after checking
• Keeping Dekko updated or replacing it - Email is critical feature for most users

Camera

• Multiple cameras not supported - Devices with multiple cameras (e.g., Volla Quintus with 3 cameras) can't switch lenses in main camera app, though test apps can access them
• Camera too slow, images blurry with motion or bad lighting (may be device-specific)
• Camera app lags behind Android - Slow focus, missing macro function, wide angle, panorama modes
• Camera app crashes - Daily crashes or device-specific, requires reboot (Poco NFC X3 and other devices)
• Camera image quality poor - All pictures and videos have colors off and overall poor quality (may be device-specific)
• Camera not fully supported - Partial hardware support on some devices

Communication Features

• VoLTE - Needed for calls, will be required across Europe in coming years. Not reliable yet, becoming "basic phone functionality" in more countries
• VoLTE issues - Phone app freezes when receiving call while already online with VoLTE enabled, requires reboot. Switching to airplane mode often disconnects VoLTE, requires reboot.
• RCS (Rich Communication Services) - SMS/MMS replacement, will be next big point for UT

Security

• Encryption should be mandatory - Several users left UT because of lack of encryption. Entire device should be encrypted when powered off. Bonus: lock-screen encryption like Android.

Display & Interface

• Display cutouts and rounded corners not handled - Makes upper taskbar display incorrectly (especially FP5), restricts usage of indicators. Clock not fully visible. Nowadays a must, instant frustration for new users with no option to set it correctly.
• Notch handling + too many indicators:
  • Dual SIM with roaming = 4 network icons alone
  • Rotation lock is entire pull-down with one item
  • Many pull-downs have only 2 items
  • Suggested: Remove rotation lock, Bluetooth, GPS icons entirely from header
  • Merge dual SIM icons into one
  • Email icon should only show when there's a notification
• Notification area too fragmented - Better to have less indicators or option to reach most used on same "page". Hard to swipe down without accidentally selecting wrong indicator.
• Lomiri must avoid rounded corners and camera notch - Bring indicators under camera notch

Browser

• Morph browser old and falling behind - Mentioned by multiple users as Priority 2
• App menu too long (12 actions) and redundant - Use ToolBar for additional actions
• Downloads not integrated in indicator since Oxide

Messaging

• Improvements needed in Teleports, Matrix, Signal apps - Messengers are most used smartphone apps
• Call/video call options needed in browser and messengers

Backup

• Backup function should be in UT installer or at least have tutorial/instructions
• AGPS missing - Navigation hard to rely on without it
• Data backup and syncing missing

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Priority 3: Daily Use

Definition: Browser crashes, app store issues, keyboard problems, file management. The stuff you hit every day.

Browser Issues (QtWebEngine)

• Outdated QtWebEngine - Most frequently mentioned issue
• Firefox alternative has no clipboard
• No autoplay disable option in native browser
• Poor web smoothness

Keyboard Problems

• Keyboard crashes during active SMS/chat conversations - "Gets my pulse going"
• Random OSK crashes
• Keyboard positioning too low - Need ability to raise/lower keyboard. Ambot installer keyboard works better.
• OSK issues:
  • Predictive text gets in the way
  • Weird behavior when typing/deleting
  • Paste doesn't work between apps

Multimedia & Files

• Nextcloud photo sync unreliable
• Gallery loads slowly
• Video playback issues - One of UT's weakest points since beginning:
  • Poor UX in Camera app preview - opens separate Video app that stays open after playback
  • Video flipping at end of playback
  • App crashes (e.g., in Teleports)
  • Totally stops working on some devices until restart of media hub or reboot
  • Experience generally bad
• Camera app crashes (device specific but affects several devices)
• Too slow to take picture/video - Too much delay, sometimes fails and needs reboot

Navigation & Location

• Navigation apps unreliable/non-functional - Forces use of Waydroid
• GPS position doesn't work reliably in webview (works in PureMaps) - Orientation/compass problem, important for Google Maps public transport itineraries
• Faster GPS needed - Initial fix can be slow, too slow for reliable navigation
• GPS too slow - General positioning speed issue

Calendar & Contacts

• Calendar sync failures with Google/Nextcloud - Leads to missed meetings. Event links and call info not clickable/openable
• Call history unclear - Hard to track communication sequence with contacts (missed calls, outgoing, answered)
• Date indicator - Tapping dates doesn't show all calendar entries

Networking

• Cellular network re-connection sometimes needs reboot
• Loses cellular data connection (especially dual SIM) - Have to switch from 3G to LTE/4G in settings to get internet back
• MMS doesn't work if WiFi is On
• Dual SIM boot issues - Sometimes boots with only one SIM working or none, requiring reboot. Can also change default parameters to SIM2 that persist even after reboot with SIM1.
• WiFi always trying to connect to last used network - Instead of the one with the best signal

VPN

• No usable VPN UI - Required for corporate users, Wireguard, Tailscale. Terminal commands won't work for most users. Need integration for several protocols for open WiFi security.

Email (Dekko)

• No HTML replies - Everything sent as plain text only
• Broken message forwarding - Forwarded messages become garbled/unreadable for recipient due to plain text limitation

System & Performance

• Interface sluggish/freezes - Not fluid or snappy, varies over time (may improve with next Halium upgrade). Sometimes freezes for fraction of second or even few seconds.
• Overall performance could be smoother - When switching between apps
• App start time much longer than Android - Even simple apps like calculator or clock need several seconds to start
• Mir 2 migration essential - Convergent Linux apps don't work due to scaling/keyboard issues. X server jankiness is a problem (keyboard, slowness, focus issues).
• Developer mode keeps turning on after every boot even when toggled off (security issue, may be daily channel specific)

Apps & Integration

• No default target selection with url-dispatcher or content hub
• Calendar sync issues - Painful to get working reliably again when it breaks
• Native Matrix client needed - Ideally disconnected from "Matrix" branding, just "UT Messenger" or similar
• System-side backup feature - Not everyone can setup Nextcloud/Syncthing easily

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Priority 4: Polish

Definition: UI glitches, UX improvements. Things that make UT feel unpolished.

Keyboard & Input

• Keyboard .tld button (.cz, .com) - Frequently misclicked instead of spacebar, causes DNS errors when using address bar for searches (typing "query.czsearch.cz" instead of "query search")
• Keyboard sometimes hard to use - Writing sentences full of mistakes because of missing blanks. May be due to keys being too narrow or input being too slow. Tip: Disabling haptic feedback may help typing speed.

Contacts & Dialing

• Clicking contact in history doesn't call directly - Just pre-fills number in dialer instead
• Contact navigation arrows impossible to see - Small visual indicators for swiping navigation

Buttons & UI Elements

• Small back buttons - Hard to tap accurately, especially for one-handed use. Major issue for users coming from Android. Examples: dekko, uRSSes - sometimes can see button press but have to tap again because it was too short.
• Notification UI - "Clean" button should float at bottom, not positioned relatively below all notifications

Header & Indicators

• Header clutter - Too many icons make it hard to see time:
  • Remove rotation lock, Bluetooth, GPS icons entirely
  • Merge dual SIM icons into one
  • Email icon should only appear with actual notification

Apps & Consistency

• App counters/badges - Should use notifications indicator instead. One place for all notifications instead of going app by app.
• Core apps have inconsistent UI - Random icons, different designs
• Notes app abandoned - Needs work
• App drawer organization - Need ability to make folders, favorites and rarely used sections

Audio

• Audio feeds to both earpiece and speaker simultaneously

Security Perception

• Lack of security trust - Unlocked bootloader, corporate data/banking inside Waydroid creates feeling of insecurity

Device-Specific

• Under-screen fingerprint reader doesn't work (Volla Quintus)
• Fingerprint reader activation - Would be nice to unlock Lomiri without pressing button first

Connectivity

• Connect to public WiFi via QR code - Missing feature

APIs & Integration

• Auto-fill/auto-type APIs missing - Copying/pasting passwords is inefficient and insecure
• KDE Connect port needed - Phone/computer sync is very handy

Waydroid Integration

• Notifications not propagated to main notification bar - Should function like native notifications, opening corresponding Android app
• Multiple window mode needs icons in sidebar/app drawer properly
• Copy/paste doesn't work inside Waydroid or between Waydroid and system
• File access not transparent - Waydroid should see home directory without copying files via Waydroid Files app

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Priority 5: Nice to Have

Definition: Advanced features, edge cases, stuff that matters to specific users.

Apps & Software

• Productivity apps missing - Native MS Teams, Slack, Google Meet support
• Spotify non-functional via Waydroid - Painful experience. Proposed solution: Integrate mainstream desktop Linux apps (Snap, Flatpak, AppImage) into OpenStore as alternative to Waydroid
• Cloud notes app missing (e.g., Nextcloud integration)
• Banking software and government apps missing - Hence Waydroid use
• Snap applications should be offered to fill gaps
• Update snapz0r for direct snap installation without terminal
• Docker container cannot start normally - Nice to have feature

Features

• Shared clipboard - Like iOS/Android + KDE Connect
• QR code reader extremely unreliable
• Audio playback speed control
• Swype feature in OSK - Currently only possible with proprietary code. Options to explore:
  • AnySoftKeyboard (open source swiping)
  • FUTO (source-available, open swipe dataset)
  • Magic Keyboard for Sailfish OS
  • Heliboard uses proprietary Google library
  • Florisboard has glide typing but functionality uncertain

System

• Core apps force specific viewport - Clock app mentioned specifically, shouldn't do this
• Dash filters for apps
• Backup/sync app with PC - rsync was removed (can be reinstalled via crackle)

Privacy & Security

• Browser privacy/security lacking - Need ability to change DNS server, secure browser with anti-tracking/fingerprinting extensions

Documentation

• Device port maintenance info - Not just "Last commit on X date" but also why and for what
• Better documentation on which apps can replace popular Android apps, how to get VPN or OwnCloud working
• Precise description of what you get by installing UT vs what you lose by changing ecosystems

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Installer Issues

Definition: First impression problems that prevent adoption.

Installation Experience

• Installer can block/hang - Pressing continue button on phone during assumed hang causes issues, needs reflashing of Android. Need better warnings.
• Raining arrows icon confusing - Unclear what's happening during download, meaning not obvious to users
• Installation complexity puts people off - Fear of rendering phone unusable
• Offer stable versions before dev versions in installer
• Polish critical for installer - Last 5% of polish can get or stop thousands of users. Last 1% toward perfection very important.

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General Themes

Most Frequently Mentioned Issues

1. Outdated browser/QtWebEngine - Mentioned by nearly every user
2. Bluetooth connectivity problems - Especially car integration
3. Display cutout/rounded corner handling - Makes UT look unfinished
4. VPN integration/UI - Multiple users need this
5. Encryption mandatory - Multiple users left because of this
6. Camera issues (slow, crashes, multi-camera support) - Multiple users
7. Dekko email client needs work - Multiple users
8. Waydroid integration improvements needed
9. Dual SIM issues - Multiple users
10. VoLTE - Increasingly critical
11. Video playback - Consistently problematic across system
12. Small back buttons - Especially for one-handed use

Key Insights from Community

On Polish vs Features:

• "Polish" has much more important ranking for new users than Priority 4 suggests
• A phone is a status object - obvious defects block adoption
• First impressions are critical - can block influencers from featuring UT
• For installers, getting to 95% isn't enough - last 5% of polish critical

On Browser:

• "Without an up-to-date browser, we don't do much!"
• Affects almost everything you do on a phone
• Absolute priority according to multiple users

On Device Support:

• Future development not guaranteed for older devices
• Heavily relies on individual contributors
• Need for sustainable hardware strategy

On Security:

• Privacy-focused users need adequate browser protection
• Encryption is deal-breaker for many users
• Corporate users need VPN support

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Document Statistics

• Total unique bugs reported: 100+
• Priority 1 (Critical): 7 issues
• Priority 2 (Essential): 25+ issues
• Priority 3 (Daily Use): 30+ issues
• Priority 4 (Polish): 25+ issues
• Priority 5 (Nice to Have): 15+ issues
• Installer Issues: 5 issues

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This document compiled from UBports Community Forum thread "Smooth Edges (name pending) - Let's Fix the Bugs That Drive You Mad" as of November 27, 2024. Includes community feedback from multiple users across various devices and use cases.

Please discuss here: https://forums.ubports.com/topic/11644/smooth-edges-name-pending-let-s-fix-the-bugs-that-drive-you-mad