Possible OS Switch

amanajosh

Hi
I am somewhat interested in changing my phone and maybe computer OS to Ubuntu Touch
For now, I'll talk about the phone

I have a Motorola One 5G Ace. I think the phone is not one of the phones that Ubuntu Touch has worked on.
In May when I got this phone, I changed the OS from Google Android to Lineage OS because Google and its services are one of the worst in terms of privacy and security too
So after 4.5 months, I found out that Lineage OS still have 'low-level' system settings that leaks information to Google

These are: SUPL for A-GPS, NTP Server, Captive Portal Server and System Webview. Those are the ones I have a hard time modifying

Various resources I read recommended rooting the phone at every change but Lineage OS blocked Magisk or other ways to root the phone. Right now, I could either change some of these 'low-level' system settings without rooting the phone, or change to /e/ which will still be entertained

So long and short, I am hell bent on unGoogling and boycotting a lot of Big Tech. I'm already downing tools with Windows OS. Hence anyone here who is knowledgable that can walk me through potentially changing the OS to Ubuntu Touch?

Additionally, I want to clarify what Ubuntu Touch does over:

apps or an app repository? (e.g. F-Droid)
Backups (LineageOS uses seedphrases or Nextcloud)

Any help or responses would be greatly appreciated!

Moem

@amanajosh said in Possible OS Switch:

anyone here who is knowledgable that can walk me through potentially changing the OS to Ubuntu Touch?

Porting documentation can be found here. There is also a porting group on Telegram: https://t.me/ubports_porting

apps or an app repository? (e.g. F-Droid)

Just to repeat this from your question on Telegram, so nobody has to waste time to repeat Danfro's answer:

Regarding F-Droid and Aurora Store: no. Both can not be installed under Ubuntu Touch. You may be able to use them in Waydroid (https://t.me/UTFAQ/8) (an Android emulator). A-GPS is currently not used/possible in UT. No idea regarding the other SUPL stuff.

On the other hand, there is the Open Store.

AppLee

Hi @amanajosh

To clarify things, on privacy, Ubuntu Touch is great, nothing is done without your consent.
On security, you have to be aware that to install Ubuntu Touch on most phones you need an unlocked bootloader which leaves the phone vulnerable to physical attacks.

As you realized your phone is not supported and would need a custom port (see documentation pointed out by Moem).
If you can, the easiest route is to purchase a compatible phone with an existing port for it.

Ubuntu Touch uses the Open Store but you can install click packages directly if you trust the source.

Regarding the backup there are some options but none is really straightforward... So you'll have to make some scripts in order to backup your data. There are some discussions on the forum on this topic. You might want to check them out.

Ubuntu Touch only shares the same kernel and drivers' blob with Android. So there is no Google's low level stuff running on our beloved OS

cliffcoggin

@amanajosh I don't want to deter you but I feel I should expand further on the two previous replies.

There is no existing port of Ubuntu Touch for your phone so you would have to create it yourself. That would be a major undertaking unless you are skilled in such matters.

Furthermore Ubuntu Touch is a phone operating system, not a computer operating system, so it can not be installed on your computer. The shared Ubuntu name is a frequent cause for confusion in newcomers.

AppLee

@cliffcoggin said in Possible OS Switch:

so it can not be installed on your computer.

Well technically it can, but you're right, that's not the main objective of this OS.
:winking_face:

amanajosh

@cliffcoggin that's fine. Still will entertain Linux OS types for my computer

amanajosh

@applee I'm aware that unlocking bootloader comes with its own risks. But thank you for your input

Moem

@amanajosh said in Possible OS Switch:

will entertain Linux OS types for my computer

I can only recommend that. I made that switch seven years ago and I felt, in one word, liberated.

amanajosh

@moem It sure seems to be