postmarketOS

A Linux distribution for phones and other devices, built to keep hardware useful for years.

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About postmarketOS

postmarketOS is a Linux distribution for mobile devices and other consumer electronics, installed in place of the manufacturer's operating system. The project aims for a ten-year life cycle for smartphones, so a device stays useful after the manufacturer stops shipping updates.

It offers a choice of user interfaces and has no surveillance, upselling or walled gardens, so you can install what you want and update at your own pace. It is closely tied to Alpine Linux, with which it shares a yearly conference.

Strengths

  • Aims to extend the life of phones to around ten years
  • Choice of several user interfaces
  • No built-in tracking, upselling or app store lock-in

Limitations

  • Device support depends on reverse-engineered drivers, so hardware features vary by model

Details

Pricing
FreeFree and open source, supported by donations.
License
Open source, license not stated
Developer
The postmarketOS contributors
Platforms
Linux, Android
How it runs
Operating system
Best suited for
Tinkerers who want real Linux on an old or unsupported phone
Categories
Android ROMs
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Selected from the TechWalrus Resource Hub (Lite OS & Custom Builds); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 2 sources on file.

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