Hi,
Sorry in advance for my ignorance... I am not a programmer.

If android is using a type of linux kernel, is it possible to give that kernel
a new gui like xfce or mate (or whichever can run)?
And if possible, is there a way to keep switching between the two?
(unless i can run android apps right from the new gui which will be god mode for me).

My goal is to eliminate the laptop and use the phone as a desktop/laptop replacement with
docking station.
But i don't want to eliminate the nimbleness of bare android for basic stuff like calling txt etc...

Thanks for reading...

Might start here.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-linux-on-android/

Not exactly, but termux-x11 includes mate and xfce.

termux-x11 with just ssh, tigervnc, jwm, aterm, otter-browser ... works OK for me.

Laptop usb that boots just linux kernel, busybox, ssh, framebuffer vnc, less than 20MB combined xz compressed vmlinuz and initramfs, boots to around 50MB ram used.

Start termux and sshd on the phone, and then tether the laptop/phone and ssh into the phone from the laptop to start vncserver, then from the laptop fbvnc into the phone.

Thereafter mostly a case of loading up a hour+ music video on the phones google/chrome with headphones plugged into that, use the laptop and otter browser (similar to Opera) on the laptop for browsing/whatever.

Add termux-api and you can send sms's using the laptop keyboard, or even trigger a picture being taken on the phone etc.

Main issue is that the phone can struggle, with it running google chrome playing a youtube, alongside the laptop having vnc'd in and running otter with a number of tabs open, it does tend to start using swap that can result in repeated disconnects/web page freezing.

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Hey.

So not criticize you guys investing the time to answer but...

None of those are even close to a good solution, definitely not ssh because it means i must have internet.

Im looking to get rid of android but still use an advanced phone with normal linux gui
riding on android kernel.

Where is the limitations if it is a linux kernel?
Can i change linux mint 5.x.x kernel to current android kernel and then install on a phone?

Has someone succeeded a project like this?
Aren't pureos and ubports do exactly that?

Just wondering. It is possible not find an answer...

Thanks regardless

The issue may be more of a car issue also.

This is one of those questions that have a yes and no answer.

Yes, it could be done.

No, it can't be done.

While it is possible to do in theory it is currently impractical to do on a number of devices.

I never looked into how Samsung did it's DEX feature but it was pretty good.

If you want to use android, then termux-x11 does indeed meet your goal of running xfce or mate like you originally asked for. Did you even try it? Doesn't require using ssh. But it will require internet of course to download in the first place. And for apps not in termux repo, you can proot to debian, etc, and install stuff from their repos.

If you want another OS that uses android kernel, consider droidian (which uses phosh) or sailfishos (which uses lipstick) or as you suggested, ubports (which uses lorimi) . With sailfishos you could run xfce in a linux container if you want.... Also note none of these OS support volte on android devices, which is mainly an issue if you're in USA where 2G/3G have been shut down. You could use SIP or another VOIP service tho.

But you cannot use mainline kernel on android device. It won't support your hardware. PureOS requires mainline kernel, as does postmarketOS and Mobian.

I dunno what you mean about it is not possible to find an answer. I even linked termux-x11 for you in my original reply.

A linux phone is still limited. Willing to bet you won't get an android kernel in any of those distros. You also won't get top of the line modern phone. Those ports are for some old phones and maybe one or two newer ones.

I've personally tried both sailfishos and droidian on my current phone and previous phone (Fxtec Pro¹-X and Pro¹), both of which I still use, and ubtouch is also available but never tried it on these. And my phone before that, Moto Z² force, has UBTouch port. And my even older phone, Moto Photon Q, has a sailfishos port. I just been lucky I guess, guess every smartphone I've ever owned has at least one linux port. I even have the lapdock for the Photon-Q (which is like laptop frame that plugs into hdmi/usb ports of photon q). For the Moto Z² Force and FxTec Pro¹, I use usb-c dock for hdmi monitor and usb keyboard, mouse...

I actually have a samsung fold z3 with dex.
But it is just a android screen share on bigger screen.
This does not allow windows working in the background like full os do.
Not the same file management, and i would love to keep on those windows open if i disconnect it from the monitor.

Also, i really want to use linux software, not android apps.

You guys think there is such demand besides my crazy self?
If there is, why brands like Purism (which i donated 600$ to, and they didn't deliver) try and reinvent the wheel instead of paying snapdragon to make a cpu.
(even basic cpu of today will be much more powerful than what they went with. also, why they don't put 40gb of ram, why 3gb lol, thats not a limitation nor it's expensive)
When you make your own cpu, you get all the code for it no? Then the rest will be more understandable...

I'll share a secret, I already have a connection with investors (they invested in other businesses of mine, but they keep claiming that is too high risk due to low demand.
I try to explain that the place they are looking is where you will not see demand because they use platforms of research that people like us avoid as the plague...
I'm looking to see if I can reduce the cost to make it more appealing for them to invest.

I don't think what purism is doing can be profitable, (i respect them for trying of course, but they are waaaay off).
Instead, we have to break into market first (like pine phone did but with high end specs), with software only, then go full fledged when people know what they are getting.
I even have connection to chinese factories that will build it.
My background is engineering but i went into business early on, so my skill level is laughable at best.
I'm trying to find all possible ways and if it doesn't work out, or if someone else like proton doesn't go that route, we will very quickly become users of illegal
devices.

And privacy is gone forever. As much as people meme Mr. Stallman, he clearly predicted the power of computers and how it'll be used against us, not for us.

Also i would appreciate, if someone knows other projects that are going that route. Even linux tablet riding on arm is interesting...
I may try and contact them to see their business model, and if it's better than mine, i will try and connect the investors to those projects.
As long as the result is free and open software...

My entire office is running on linux mint for 6 years now. (including my own is 11 stations)
I don't allow other OS.
I wish to do the same for the phone.

One can dream right?

Thanks

You would need to flash a new OS onto the phone to use a different GUI as Android uses its' own custom display manager.
This link https://plasma-mobile.org/get/ has some Linux distros for phones.

Yeah, i tried that. If they could run on something more current than 7 year old phone at best. The performance is not so good. And battery issues on my lg ubports are detering me from keep investing in old school devices. I want to try on something new. Maybe ill try graphene os and temper with it for a bit on Pixel 8 pro.
Can i make more than a/b partition on phones and then decide how to boot?
That way ill have stock android on one partition, and only temper with second... like with grub...

Ubports is such a good idea but such a poor execution. Nothing works from one try...
Its the touch part that is just not there. I tried connecting external inputs, but the device can barely handle loading. How will it handle peripherals?

Xfce on Wayland on android kernel is maybe the goal...

I really like projects like this, but when work is a priority... its hard to have clear head for those...

I was even considering raspbian on a phone