Android apps converter. Crazy talk ?

marek_python · 18 Apr 2021, 03:10

Hi community,
first forgive my technical ignorance in this regard but is there a way to make Android apps to be "runnable" on UT phones in similar way like you can run Windows programs through Wine on Linux ?

I live in the UK and government is sometimes releasing apps
where people can get things done without calling hotlines.
You've guessed it, only iOS and Androids are supported.
Government's developers don't care about UT phones.

Such solution would be a killer solution in my opinion. To make
it worthwhile I would suggest to make it subscription-based (charge users what you pay for a coffee in Starbucks)
because even though I admire open source mentality it's time
and energy that is spent on developing solution.

Essentially I'm asking if it's technically possible to make a solution that would allow run .apk files on UT ?

How many of us have to carry around Android even though Linux "is in our hearts" ?

Sorry for the sentiment and thanks for reading the whole thing.

Keneda · 18 Apr 2021, 03:35

@marek_python There is a work on progress solution for that, from ubports devs and some other foss project devs, exactly like wine on GNU/Linux, it's called anbox.

Depending on the phone you use, it's easy to install, but, not all APK will work, especially those that need google services to be installed too.

And, again, it's a work in progress, so each app will react differently on it, and beware it consumes a lot of hardware ressources, last uTouch update run really nice on devices that would make you crazy waiting for it to react with android.

https://forums.ubports.com/search?term=anbox&in=titles&matchWords=all&sortBy=topic.timestamp&sortDirection=desc&showAs=posts

@marek_python said in Android apps converter. Crazy talk ?:

To make it worthwhile I would suggest to make it subscription-based (charge users what you pay for a coffee in Starbucks) because even though I admire open source mentality it's time and energy that is spent on developing solution.

Here is what you search for : https://forums.ubports.com/topic/5907/open-ubuntu-touch-to-all-android-applications/19

@marek_python said in Android apps converter. Crazy talk ?:

How many of us have to carry around Android even though Linux "is in our hearts" ?

It's been 5 years for me, soon 6, with only uTouch and its native apps, no regrets about android, i feal the same as with my only android smartphone 8 years ago, when all apps where on iOS, and so few on android : nevermind ^^

marek_python · 18 Apr 2021, 04:30

@keneda
Hi and thank you for replying. I'm happy to read that there's
already project that is addressing this.
I guess way too many people were annoyed about this.
I'm not surprised that there are technical drawbacks. Like you
mentioned apps that heavily depend on Google services to be running in the background will simply not work. Understandably.
I can't wait the day when I'll be able to ditch Android completely.

To me it makes no sense to be running Ubuntu on my computers
but having Android on my phone.

I used to have Meizu 5 PRO with UT running on it and I absolutely loved it ! Simply gorgeous !

Only disadvantage I personally suffered from was I couldn't run apps released by the government.

Many Thanks !

Lakotaubp · 18 Apr 2021, 08:43

@marek_python The only other option really at present is to carry an android device without sim and only the apps you have to have on it. Then only switch on when needed and use wifi. You can run Orbot as a device wide vpn and maybe a tor browser too, but not really needed. Plenty of stuff on Fdroid.
Not ideal but might work. Or if for test and trace just say your phone doesnt work with it and ask to sign in.

dobey · 19 Apr 2021, 14:41

@marek_python said in Android apps converter. Crazy talk ?:

Essentially I'm asking if it's technically possible to make a solution that would allow run .apk files on UT ?

The only possibility for this is to improve Anbox. Even then, many apps will still be problematic. If the apps are not open source, then there will basically be no way to take them and make native UT versions instead.

How many of us have to carry around Android even though Linux "is in our hearts" ?

Good news! Android is still Linux. So your heart shouldn't have to suffer too much.

Keneda · 19 Apr 2021, 15:40

@dobey said in Android apps converter. Crazy talk ?:

Good news! Android is still Linux. So your heart shouldn't have to suffer too much.

@marek_python That's where leads the "Linux" instead of "GNU/Linux" thing lol