Linux-based postmarketOS v24.06 supports over 250 devices, working with Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS

PostmarketOS v24.06 is now available, designed for Linux enthusiasts who are looking for more control and flexibility on their devices. This release introduces stability improvements and automated testing, although it may not yet be compatible with ChromeOS, Android or iOS versions.

The appeal of running Linux on personal devices lies in the freedom it offers. postmarketOS requires no account setup, no cloud storage, avoids pre-installed bloatware, and doesn’t follow privacy-invasive AI trends. Instead, it focuses on free software, user control, and extending device usability beyond original vendor support.

This release includes many device ports that were previously only available in the cutting-edge version and are now available in the stable version. While some devices can only run Linux, they offer unique use cases, such as running a web server on an old phone powered by a portable solar charger.

The postmarketOS v24.06 software stack is based on Alpine Linux 3.20 and includes updated user interfaces. GNOME Shell for mobile devices 46_git20240610 includes features such as double-tap bottom bar keyboard launch and a new scheduling manager for a smoother user interface. KDE Plasma Mobile 6.0.5 introduces improvements such as a customizable home screen, app drawer, search function, and a new splash screen for initial setup.

Phosh 0.39 adds app overview folders, better notch support, quick Wi-Fi settings, and long-press access to the on-screen keyboard. Sxmo 1.16.3 improves hang control and device configurations for Nokia N900, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 and PineTab 2.

There are some significant changes in this version. All UIs now include the meadow wallpaper. Chromebooks are getting new keyboard mappings, and the Samsung Chromebook now has GPU acceleration. Users can install interfaces such as Cage (Kiosk Composer) and Moonlight (Nvidia GameStream Client). logbookd is the new default logger, providing a journalctl-like interface for accessing logs. Initramfs now supports booting from a USB network and stowaway rootfs, among others.

Modem and GPS functionality has been improved in MSM8953 devices. Non-free software is now installed by default, and osk-sdl has been replaced by unl0kr. PulseAudio is no longer a hard dependency in UI packages, allowing experimentation with PipeWire. Numerous kernel updates, improvements and bug fixes have been implemented across all devices.

The number of devices in the mainstream and community categories has increased to 50, including new ports such as Generic x86_64 and Nvidia Tegra armv7. Notable devices that are now supported include the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s and Microsoft Surface RT, adding to the versatility of postmarketOS.

For the first time, the stable version includes devices from the “test” category, adding 211 devices with various levels of functionality. This allows you to use your current Linux distribution on older hardware.

Despite extensive testing, some problems remain. Notable ones include SSH connectivity issues on PinePhone, Wi-Fi connection issues on Fairphone 4, and headphone recognition issues on OnePlus 6. We encourage users encountering these issues to contribute to resolving them.

postmarketOS v24.06 highlights the potential for community-led development to extend Linux support to a diverse range of devices. You can download it now here.