Usually, forums are used to discuss solutions for issues and problems. I would like to use the forum to give positive feed back.

Yesterday, I used the new UBPorts Installer to install Ubuntu Touch on a used OnePlus One smartphone that was running on Android. The user experience of UBPorts installer was excellent !!!

The installation process took only about 15 minutes and required minimum user interaction and there was no need to look at any documentation. The developers have also thought of nice details such as a brief visual guide how to set a OnePlus One device to fastboot mode. Installation was absolutely smooth.

[Following is solved now, see comment by rocky58: Only after the installation was complete, I run into a few problems, but this had nothing to do with the UBPorts installer: My OnePlus One was not recognized as MTP device, so I couldn't easily copy my old contacts and SMS over to the new device (https://github.com/ubports/ubuntu-touch/issues/13).]

Dear all,

the messenger app TextSecure / Signal is looking for a new developer / maintainer. Jani's TextSecure/Signal app functions well. I actually use it everyday. Currently, it is still available here https://uappexplorer.com/app/textsecure.jani, but not yet in the UBPorts OpenStore. Unfortunately, Jani does not have the time to continue development. Are you interested in becoming the new maintainer / developer of this app? Thanks in advance.

The code is here: https://github.com/janimo/textsecure-qml

P.S. I'd like to add a great thank you to Jani who had developed a great app and maintained it for a long time.

In case you are not aware: Ubports is present on the free and open-source social network Mastodon. Mastodon is a federated network and integral part of the Fediverse (with Pleroma, Friendica, Diaspora, PixelFed, Peertube, etc.):

• The Ubports account https://framapiaf.org/@ubports currently has 904 followers and there is a Ubports Pixelfed account https://pixelfed.social/ubports
• Many Ubuntu Touch users and developers are active in the Fediverse, like https://mastodon.social/@NeoTheThird and https://metalhead.club/@krille as well as Pine64 (PinePhone), Purism (Librem5), Fairphone and many more.
• There is a very new Mastodon group (started today and has already 64 members!) about Ubports / Ubuntu Touch: https://gup.pe/u/UbuntuTouch

How to get started on Mastodon:

• Get an account on a popular server like: https://fosstodon.org, https://mastodon.technology, https://social.tchncs.de, https://linuxrocks.online, https://floss.social or choose any server from here https://joinmastodon.org. Independently from the server you choose, you will be able to interact with any other user in the Fediverse.
• Here is a Mastodon app for Ubuntu Touch by @Krille : https://open-store.io/app/umastodon.christianpauly
• Description how to join/follow the Ubuntu Touch group: https://mastodon.social/@GerryT/104325114068291873
• Frequently used hash tags are: #UbuntuTouch #UbPorts #UbuntuPhone #PinePhone #Fairphone #VollaPhone #LinuxPhone

Can you explain a bit about the plans for Ubuntu Touch on Volla Phone? How UBports cooperates with Hallo Welt Systeme UG and what priority Volla Phone has for UBPorts? Thanks

I pre-ordered a Volla Phone, because I like the approach of Hallo Welt Systeme and their support for open systems. They seem to be very ambitious to build a good Ubuntu Touch experience on their phone and also aim to provide Android Apps via Anbox.

@sander-klootwijk Your fix worked for me. It looks perfectly now! Thanks

@UBportsNews Thanks for the upcoming Q&A. I would like to know about the progress / status of VoLTE for UBPorts. Thanks!

Hi Locamama,

I think the missing piece is the Desktop Apps scope, which was released yesterday on OpenStore: https://open.uappexplorer.com/app/libertine-scope.ubuntu

@UBportsNews Application development for Gnome on Mobile has been gaining some momentum lately and there already are some nice apps available. Is it technically possible / feasible / advisable to let Gnome Mobile apps run on UBports Ubuntu Touch? Or will it be ever in the future?

You see the mobile adapted applications if you search for #libadwaita in the following list:
https://github.com/valpackett/awesome-gtk

I really like the Volla Phone with UBPorts. However, there is this a simple, but annoying bug:
It is not possible to read the exact time in the top right corner of the notification bar, because the Volla Phone's display has rounded corners. E.g. when it is 21:19, the "9" is not readable, but hidden behind the round corner of the screen.

I just wondered whether there can be an easy fix for this issue? The clock just needs to have ~3mm spacing to the right edge. If it is difficult to get such a setting into the Ubuntu Touch image, maybe it is easier to have a setting for this in the UT Tweak Tool? What do you think?

I think these two bugs are related, but try to rather find a thorough solution for the entire problem for displays with notch:

"Camera Notch interferes with notification bar at top of screen in Ubuntu Touch. #2"
https://github.com/HelloVolla/ubuntu-touch-beta-tests/issues/2

"UI support for the phones with a notch #523"
https://github.com/ubports/ubuntu-touch/issues/523

@myii

@flohack Thanks for the info on the (non)progress talking to OWS. It is really weird how OWS handles community activities.

In the meanwhile Aaron has continuously updated the Signal app and it works well, so far: https://open.uappexplorer.com/app/textsecure.nanuc

@UBportsNews When will a Noble channel be created in the Open-Store.io? (apps for UBports based on Ubuntu 24.04, Noble Numbat)

@UBportsNews Application development for Gnome on Mobile has been gaining some momentum lately and there already are some nice apps available. Is it technically possible / feasible / advisable to let Gnome Mobile apps run on UBports Ubuntu Touch? Or will it be ever in the future?

You see the mobile adapted applications if you search for #libadwaita in the following list:
https://github.com/valpackett/awesome-gtk

@messayisto Thanks a lot! I am currently using a Volla 22 with Ubuntu Touch and the Volla Quintus is now on my shopping list.

@UBportsNews Is it known who is the manufacturer/producer of the new Volla Quintus hardware? Is it still Gigaset or another producer?

Hi @oidjhfhnnxoji , what apps do you mean? Almost all Ubuntu Touch apps that I am using are native apps, e.g. Axolotl, Pure Maps, Talaan, Notes, Tagger, TELEports, Seabass, ...

@Nymexx Hi, I use my Volla 22 with UBPorts as daily driver. I have no other phone or tablet.

• This means, I use it for communication: Axolotl (Signal), TELEports (Telegram), Cinny (Matrix), SMS and Phone calls (typically with 2 SIM cards).
• I use it for navigation (uNav and Pure Maps) and for bus/train routing (Fahrplan).
• I use it for web browsing (Morph and Sapot browser) and authentication (Authenticator NG).
• I use it for photo and video taking (default apps), and listening to music.
• I use it for note-taking and to do lists (Notes, Talaan, Seabass2)
• Furthermore, some tools such as Tagger, Terminal, unitConverter, Calculator, ...

@beyolf That's amazing. I am looking forward to VoLTE news

Thanks for another Q&A. I would be interested in knowing how the relationship is between the UbPorts team and producers/vendors of supported hardware, such as Volla, FairPhone, Pine, ... How does cooperation work with them?

Hardware-related things like VoLTE or Miracast screen mirroring seems to be things where cooperation is particularly important.

Hi, thanks for the question. I am still using Xenial on Volla 22. I have not yet upgraded to Focal, because I use the phone as a daily driver and I am lacking information what will be not working anymore after the upgrade. Lack of information is the main problem for me.

There are at least three sources to figure out what will not work with the Volla 22 on Focal [1],[2],[3] and they are not encouraging, although I am not sure whether some information is outdated.

For example, source [1] tells me that on Focal "Cellular data is not available on SIM 2 when two are inserted". If this is still correct, this would be a problem for me.

For example, source [2] did not give much information whether it is safe to upgrade to Focal, and I am not sure whether the problem with Telegram still exists that messages / settings do not get transferred correctly to Focal.

For example, source [3] does not yet give information on OTA-4 and it is unclear what of the "Known Issues" still exist.

Additionally to that, I have data in the "Notes" app which has not yet been ported to Focal.

[1] https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/mimameid
[2] https://forum.volla.online/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=997
[3] https://github.com/HelloVolla/ubuntu-touch-beta-tests/wiki/Release-notes

@UBportsNews Question: Besides UBPorts, there are a few other Linux on mobile ecosystems around: Plasma Mobile and Gnome Shell on mobile (Phosh). I wanted to ask whether there is any chance that the ecosystems can work (closer) together?
Related to this, is it technically possible to build an app ecossystem where apps run on UbPorts, Plasma Mobile and Gnome Shell mobile?