[SOLVED] Is there anything new to remove android and install linux? Recycle a Smartphone.

usodiario · 02-27-2020, 12:32 PM

I see that it is almost impossible to remove android from a smartphone to install linux, both due to legal issues and problems with proprietary drivers.

But I still ask if anyone knows if there is any progress with this?

I have the following smartphone that I would like to use for tests:

Asus zenfone 5Q

Code:

- Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 SDM630, 2017, 64 bit, octa-core, 14 nm, Qualcomm Adreno 508 GPU
- LPDDR4 SDRAM 4GB 1333MHz
- 64.0 GB ROM

Basically remove android and install the debian base (without desktop, enter by SSH) to function as a test server for cardDAV - calDAV.

I planned to buy a Raspberry pi, but if I can recycle the Smartphone (since it has a broken screen) it would be great.

Let us know if there are news, thanks.

teckk · 02-27-2020, 12:44 PM

You'll need an unlocked bootloader on the device.
Then an arm version of linux, compiled for your arm processor. There are many and they have different instruction sets.

Then you'll need to find/make/compile...support for the hardware on the device. Network, bluetooth, screen...

Your best bet is https://lineageos.org/, or another ROM, and install an ssh server on it. With a broken screen...you may need android debug bridge(ADB) to do that.

usodiario · 02-28-2020, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckk

You'll need an unlocked bootloader on the device.
Then an arm version of linux, compiled for your arm processor. There are many and they have different instruction sets.

Then you'll need to find/make/compile...support for the hardware on the device. Network, bluetooth, screen...

Your best bet is https://lineageos.org/, or another ROM, and install an ssh server on it. With a broken screen...you may need android debug bridge(ADB) to do that.

Ok thanks

ondoho · 02-29-2020, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usodiario

I see that it is almost impossible to remove android from a smartphone to install linux, both due to legal issues and problems with proprietary drivers.

But I still ask if anyone knows if there is any progress with this?

(...)

Basically remove android and install the debian base (without desktop, enter by SSH) to function as a test server for cardDAV - calDAV.

Have you ever tried installing Linux on an embedded device?
It's not so easy.
Even harder on Android phones because they are built to resist such attempts.

There's a few projects that attempt to use mainline Linux on a select few devices:
https://postmarketos.org
https://maemo-leste.github.io/
https://pureos.net/
(maybe one or two more)

You should check their list of supported devices, and do some more general research.

usodiario · 04-09-2020, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

Have you ever tried installing Linux on an embedded device?
It's not so easy.
Even harder on Android phones because they are built to resist such attempts.

There's a few projects that attempt to use mainline Linux on a select few devices:
https://postmarketos.org
https://maemo-leste.github.io/
https://pureos.net/
(maybe one or two more)

You should check their list of supported devices, and do some more general research.

I have studied it for days with the links shown and it is not easy, it will be quite impossible.

Thank you