UT on Nexus 5: File System Stuck As Read Only?

Baguette_Child · 1 Sept 2020, 17:49

Hello,

I was recently given a Nexus 5 with Ubuntu Touch freshly installed on it. I am not highly tech savvy but I really do like the look and feel of the OS and the opportunity to learn to use a full terminal is exciting.

However, when I attempted to install some packages with apt I got various messages that locations could not be created or written to because they were set read only. Attempts to edit etc/apt/sources.list also were met with errors telling me the location was set read only. It seems like the bulk of my filesystem is somehow not allowing me to write to it despite being root.

I attempted to run "sudo mount -o remount,rw /" but it does not seem to do anything. Terminal responds with nothing when I run the command and nothing currently unwritable is now writable.

Can anyone help me out here? What else should I do? I really only need my Nexus 5 to do three things (Run a VPN, run my RSS reader, and run TOR) but I can't get it to that point if I can't install packages or edit sources. If there is any additional information you need that I can pull up and provide please let me know and I will add it.

I am not very smart with technology (phones/computers aren't common in my country of origin), and English is not my primary language, so if you could explain in very simple terms I would be appreciative. Regardless, thank you so much for taking the time to read my post!

Lakotaubp · 1 Sept 2020, 18:42

@Baguette_Child
1, Apt is not advised to be used on UT unless it is inside a Libertine container or it could break your system.
2, To make the system RW if you really must, use UT Tweak Tool from the OpenStore ( capital A on black background ) on launcher or in app drawer.These two are a little bit complicated, well Libertine can be UT Tweak Tool is quite straight forward but try the points below first.
3, You will also find a version of Tor called the Onion Browser in the OpenStore. It's not fully functional yet but have a look.
4, Using VPN
https://ubports.com/blog/ubport-blog-1/post/using-vpn-in-ubuntu-touch-132
VPN Round 2
https://ubports.com/blog/ubports-blog-1/post/vpn-on-ubuntu-touch-178
5, Nearly forgot there is also an RSS reader in the OpenStore too.

Baguette_Child · 1 Sept 2020, 18:55

@Lakotaubp Thanks for the reply!

I tried setting it Read-Write in UT Tweaks and it still is showing as read only. I'd really like to get a full implementation of TOR installed for security reasons- The Onion Browser on the app store is a good start, but some of my .onion sites I use daily for work don't want to load in it.

Thanks for the link to the VPN articles! I'll check those out! And I did just now find the RSS reader in the shop, so really TOR is all I've got to sort out now. None of my google searches have led me to a solution that works on my device- Which is a little disappointing.

AppLee · 1 Sept 2020, 20:23

@Baguette_Child said in UT on Nexus 5: File System Stuck As Read Only?:

some of my .onion sites I use daily for work don't want to load in it.

Hi, you can try to go on RC with QtWebEngine upgrade... It's probably the problem here.
I don't see how the TOR part can be responsible for this behavior.

Lakotaubp · 1 Sept 2020, 20:36

@Baguette_Child Quick thought have you enabled Developer mode in System settings.

Baguette_Child · 1 Sept 2020, 20:45

@Lakotaubp I did not have developer mode turned on! I feel pretty dumb now! I'm going to try again and get back to you all with the results.

Baguette_Child · 1 Sept 2020, 23:32

@AppLee said in UT on Nexus 5: File System Stuck As Read Only?:

Hi, you can try to go on RC with QtWebEngine upgrade... It's probably the problem here.
I don't see how the TOR part can be responsible for this behavior.

So I checked the .onion sites in question on another device and they're up and running no problem. But when I try to connect to them via Onion Browser on the nexus 5 it still gives me an error; "ERR_SOCKS_CONNECTION_FAILED"

I would think that was a network issue, except for the fact that SOME of my .onion addresses are working just fine. Just not mail2tor, a document host I use to submit files to work, and a few others. It's really odd.

Baguette_Child · 1 Sept 2020, 23:37

@Lakotaubp Unfortunately, enabling developer mode does not seem to make a difference. Could there just have been some issue with the flashing process? Should I wipe it and re-flash UT?

Lakotaubp · 2 Sept 2020, 04:14

@Baguette_Child As @AppLee said try RC channel in System settings, Updates, Update Settings first. That will be the new stable channel anyway soon.

Keneda · 9 Feb 2020, 06:10

@Lakotaubp said in UT on Nexus 5: File System Stuck As Read Only?:

That [version of uTouch available here on RC channel] will be the new [OTA13] stable channel [version] anyway soon.

Just to clarify ^^
RC remains RC, and when OTA13 is out, jump back to stable channel.