Installing UBports on a Nexus 5
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Hi everyone,
I'm relatively new to this world. I'd like to get a phone on which I could install UBports. So I've checked the device list and I understand an affordable and supported option would be the LG Nexus 5.
There is one for sale on Amazon with 2 GB RAM and a 16 GB flash drive and it says model LGD821.ADEURD. I already had some trouble making my tablet work so I want to check first, would that be the right one?
Thanks a lot!
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D821 is for europe/world. Buy D820 if in North America. The N5 runs perfectly. But keep in mind, if you are in the US, phone calls will stop working by the end of 2021 On all carriers (No VoLTE). Calls will have to be made by Voip after that.
Although not totally ready, the Nexus 6P does have VoLTE and runs better in every way than the N5 for what is working (which is mostly everything - still a work in progress).
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@Angela_92 The important thing to make sure of is that it is unlocked and unlocked from the carrier or it can be hell to get it working. Search the Nexus 5/5X thread in the forums
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@Angela_92
No problem it's the right model.
As @rocket2nfinity said (and it is true for every used phone), check that the phone is not locked for a specific carrier.Then just be careful with installation steps : update the firmware, unlock the bootloader, ...
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Thank you for your replies!
One more thing, is it possible to run WhatsApp? Is it easy to do it?
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@Angela_92
Short answer : no whatsapp doesn't work on UT
Long answer : it's tricky but with Anbox (which is highly experimental and unstable) you can achieve to get the chat part working. I won't recommend that unless you really need it and don't mind to tinker with your system. -
@Angela_92 I managed to make Whatsapp work on a nexus 5 but it's so complicated that I gave up. I used Libertine Containers and installed firefox. From firefox, I logged onto web.whatsapp.com and then I nearly got there. But The browser thinks it is a computer (which is normal as it is through libertine container) so whatsapp gives a QR Code to scan from your mobile phone. I manage this because I have two smartphones, one on Android, having whatsapp on it.
I haven't found another way yet... As for Anbox, I couldn't install it, too complicated for me, beginner.
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@Rebecca58 There’s a WhatsApp app client in OpenStore: https://open-store.io/app/alefnode.whatsweb It needs indeed a QR code from the WhatsApp host machine. Once activated it lasts many days ‘till you need to re scann the QR code from the original phone.
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@stanwood
Sure accessing a relay is an option, but you'll need an Android or iOS phone to act as personal server. -
@AppLee That’s right (I called it “host machine” on my previous post).
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@stanwood I read on the comments that web app doesn't work pretty well on the open store. Anyway I can make my own using webber, but I will still need my other phone in order to be able to flash the code. So to me it is pointless to have WhatsApp on the UT phone. I will give connection to my other phone and just use WhatsApp on it.
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@Rebecca58
Well webapps need maintenance because website change frequently.
So old simple webapps left on the OpenStore are probably not working.
I found simpler to manage my own, after-all it's really easy to do for basic websites.
And I use maintained ones for more advanced use. -
I read here that the Nexus 5 would lose voice support at the end of 2021. Is there a suitable replacement available? I like my Nexus 5 and would like to keep it if possible.
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@air409 In the North American market yes. Verizon has already black listed it, so you can't put it on their networks period. AT&T will turn off 2g3g voice Jan 2022. It has not made clear if it will blacklist the device. If it does, you won't get service with them either. Not even data. More likely, they will continue to allow it as a data only device.
T-mobile will turn off 2g3g voice Jan 2021. They, currently, do not use whitelists and plan to continue allowing non-VoLTE devices on as data only devices.
As such, you will need to use Linphone, or if Anbox is fixed, any Voip app, talkatone, truphone, etc., to make phone calls. It really isn't any different than using Google voice, etc. In fact, call quality will be higher.
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