26. Can I lock the bootloader once i have Ubuntu Touch installed?
No, you should not lock the bootloader after installing Ubuntu Touch. This will brick your phone. In some case you will need to contact the manufacturer to repair such a device.
For some detailed explanation on why the bootloader must stay unlocked please read this article.
No, you should not lock the bootloader after installing Ubuntu Touch. This will brick your phone. In some case you will need to contact the manufacturer to repair such a device.
For some detailed explanation on why the bootloader must stay unlocked please read this article.
27. What is offline charging?
Offline charging refers to the ability of devices to stay turned off for charging. On some devices this is broken. That means the device will turn on when you start charging it.
Offline charging refers to the ability of devices to stay turned off for charging. On some devices this is broken. That means the device will turn on when you start charging it.
28. What do the version numbers of the release channels mean?
The version numbers seen in the update section are device specific, the device independent "update number" can be found in the about section of system settings.
At the moment of writing you'll see
For stable channel the update number is named with a pattern like OTA-24 (OTA = over the air) with the number incrementing with each stable update.
For release channel the updates are named after the year and week number of their release like 2022-W47 (week 47 of the year 2022). Year and week are incrementing.
For the devel channel the updates are named after the date they are released so you'll see something like
The version numbers seen in the update section are device specific, the device independent "update number" can be found in the about section of system settings.
At the moment of writing you'll see
ubuntu 16.04 followed by a "update number". This "update number" follows a different naming scheme depending on the update channel:For stable channel the update number is named with a pattern like OTA-24 (OTA = over the air) with the number incrementing with each stable update.
For release channel the updates are named after the year and week number of their release like 2022-W47 (week 47 of the year 2022). Year and week are incrementing.
For the devel channel the updates are named after the date they are released so you'll see something like
ubuntu 16.04 (2022-11-24).29. How do I report a bug 🪲?
Reporting bugs is a great way to contribute. Only if developers know about an issue can they try to fix it.
You are not sure where that issue should be reported? You think it might be a system issue? A general approach is described in our docs. Please follow those instructions (check if already reported, reproduce and document which steps exactly do cause the issue, report or comment).
Prefered is a report at a specific app or component. Decide/guess if it might be caused by a certain system component or an individual app. In most cases issues (🪲) are tracked in the corresponding gitlab or github repository of the component or app.
a) For apps check their page in OpenStore app or on the OpenStore website. There is almost always a link for the bug tracker. Report your issue there.
b) For system components you need to guess a bit. They are hosted either on gitlab or on github. Try to find the repo that you consider might be causing the issue and report your bug there. If that is not the correct place, someone will likely tell you and the report can be moved.
What to include in a good bug report:
- name of device, release channel and version of UT
- steps to reproduce
- logs if possible
- screenshots
- a description of what happened and what you would expect to see
- if known, info if other users can confirm that issue
Reporting bugs is a great way to contribute. Only if developers know about an issue can they try to fix it.
You are not sure where that issue should be reported? You think it might be a system issue? A general approach is described in our docs. Please follow those instructions (check if already reported, reproduce and document which steps exactly do cause the issue, report or comment).
Prefered is a report at a specific app or component. Decide/guess if it might be caused by a certain system component or an individual app. In most cases issues (🪲) are tracked in the corresponding gitlab or github repository of the component or app.
a) For apps check their page in OpenStore app or on the OpenStore website. There is almost always a link for the bug tracker. Report your issue there.
b) For system components you need to guess a bit. They are hosted either on gitlab or on github. Try to find the repo that you consider might be causing the issue and report your bug there. If that is not the correct place, someone will likely tell you and the report can be moved.
What to include in a good bug report:
- name of device, release channel and version of UT
- steps to reproduce
- logs if possible
- screenshots
- a description of what happened and what you would expect to see
- if known, info if other users can confirm that issue
GitLab
UBports · GitLab
Ubuntu Touch - Linux on your phone!
30. Is there a way to move the launcher to the right side of the device instead of the left side?
Technically, of course everything can be done. But in UT the edges do have certain actions assigned to them like triggering the app drawer, switching between apps, opening the indicators or bottom edge. In order to move the launcher to the right, the whole interaction system for all those actions would need to be rewritten and swapped left/right. The code base would likely be bigger, that means harder to maintain.
So for reasons of workload, stability and maintainability the answer is: no, this is not going to happen.
Technically, of course everything can be done. But in UT the edges do have certain actions assigned to them like triggering the app drawer, switching between apps, opening the indicators or bottom edge. In order to move the launcher to the right, the whole interaction system for all those actions would need to be rewritten and swapped left/right. The code base would likely be bigger, that means harder to maintain.
So for reasons of workload, stability and maintainability the answer is: no, this is not going to happen.
Telegram
Ubuntu Touch Usage
7. What is the launcher and what is the drawer?
31. Is Ubuntu Touch fully open source?
Ubuntu Touch is fully open source, however the drivers that are needed for utilizing the hardware might be proprietary. Then they can not be distributed with Ubuntu Touch. This is the reason why installing the correct Android version, before installing Ubuntu Touch, is crucial.
For more details about that interaction, please see https://t.me/UTFAQ/42.
Ubuntu Touch is fully open source, however the drivers that are needed for utilizing the hardware might be proprietary. Then they can not be distributed with Ubuntu Touch. This is the reason why installing the correct Android version, before installing Ubuntu Touch, is crucial.
For more details about that interaction, please see https://t.me/UTFAQ/42.
Telegram
Ubuntu Touch FAQ
20. Why do we need Android in a specific version on our devices before installing? And what is halium?
Every port (https://t.me/UTFAQ/5) of a device is based on a certain version of Android (or another stock rom). Simplified this part of the system , which…
Every port (https://t.me/UTFAQ/5) of a device is based on a certain version of Android (or another stock rom). Simplified this part of the system , which…
32. Where can I get the source code?
There is not one file or zip holding Ubuntu Touch's source code.
Ubuntu Touch is based on Ubuntu. That is why we keep the Ubuntu numbering and naming for main versions like 20.04 focal or 16.04 xenial. However Ubuntu Touch does make modifications and adds new software on top of Ubuntu to provide the best convergent experience.
Ubuntu Touch's source code can be found in over 400 repositories on Gitlab and Github:
https://github.com/ubports
https://gitlab.com/ubports
The Ubuntu source code can be found in the Ubuntu code base.
There is not one file or zip holding Ubuntu Touch's source code.
Ubuntu Touch is based on Ubuntu. That is why we keep the Ubuntu numbering and naming for main versions like 20.04 focal or 16.04 xenial. However Ubuntu Touch does make modifications and adds new software on top of Ubuntu to provide the best convergent experience.
Ubuntu Touch's source code can be found in over 400 repositories on Gitlab and Github:
https://github.com/ubports
https://gitlab.com/ubports
The Ubuntu source code can be found in the Ubuntu code base.
GitHub
UBports
Ubuntu Touch - Linux on your phone! We are moving to gitlab! https://gitlab.com/ubports - UBports
33. What is this circle with dots on the lock screen about?
The dots represent the days of the month. The center of the circle gives you statistics depending on your usage like number of photos taken or messages received on that day. The size of the dot representing that day grows with the number.
More details are explained in this blogpost: https://ubports.com/de/blog/ubports-blogs-nachrichten-1/post/ubuntu-touch-lock-screen-3060
The dots represent the days of the month. The center of the circle gives you statistics depending on your usage like number of photos taken or messages received on that day. The size of the dot representing that day grows with the number.
More details are explained in this blogpost: https://ubports.com/de/blog/ubports-blogs-nachrichten-1/post/ubuntu-touch-lock-screen-3060
34. When will device ABC be ported for UT? When will device ABC be ported to focal?
For most devices there is no clear answer to that question. It will happen, when someone does the work. It's community work, no time frames with that. A porter would need to do it. No one except the porter (someone with that device in their hands) knows when that will be or if it will be at all. Your best option is to kindly ask the porter (contact generally on devices page).
A few devices with preinstalled UT are done by companies, Volla Phone for example. They might have time frames. Ask the company for details.
For more info on porting please see FAQ no. 3 and 4.
For most devices there is no clear answer to that question. It will happen, when someone does the work. It's community work, no time frames with that. A porter would need to do it. No one except the porter (someone with that device in their hands) knows when that will be or if it will be at all. Your best option is to kindly ask the porter (contact generally on devices page).
A few devices with preinstalled UT are done by companies, Volla Phone for example. They might have time frames. Ask the company for details.
For more info on porting please see FAQ no. 3 and 4.
35. Why does GPS not work or take very long to get a fix on UT?
For GPS to work, a device needs to "know" where the satellites are roughly positioned to calculate the position intersection. This data is called almanac data.
Ubuntu Touch (currently) uses pure GPS, no aGPS (assisted GPS at Wikipedia). That means it only uses the pure satellite data to download the almanac and work out the position. This is very slow. Other systems generally provide services where almanac data is downloaded e.g. via mobile data, which much quicker.
To speed up getting a position fix you can:
- make sure you start outside with clear, unobstructed view to the sky = the satellites
- wait without moving the device, initial fix can take several minutes (up to half an hour)
Almanac data does expire over the time. Only the first fix in one area takes long. Consecutive usage of GPS in the same area will be much quicker to get a fix. If you don't use GPS for a longer time or in a different area, the first fix will again take a while, since new almanac data needs to be downloaded.
For GPS to work, a device needs to "know" where the satellites are roughly positioned to calculate the position intersection. This data is called almanac data.
Ubuntu Touch (currently) uses pure GPS, no aGPS (assisted GPS at Wikipedia). That means it only uses the pure satellite data to download the almanac and work out the position. This is very slow. Other systems generally provide services where almanac data is downloaded e.g. via mobile data, which much quicker.
To speed up getting a position fix you can:
- make sure you start outside with clear, unobstructed view to the sky = the satellites
- wait without moving the device, initial fix can take several minutes (up to half an hour)
Almanac data does expire over the time. Only the first fix in one area takes long. Consecutive usage of GPS in the same area will be much quicker to get a fix. If you don't use GPS for a longer time or in a different area, the first fix will again take a while, since new almanac data needs to be downloaded.
36. Is device xyz good for me? Which device is the best for me?
To be honest, this question can hardly be truly answered by anyone, because we are not you 😉.
No one knows what you wish to do with a device or wich apps you require to work. No one knows which hardware features are important to you. No one knows how much money you have available to spend on a device.
So please check yourself:
1. devices specs
Head for our Devices page. That page lists specs for all devices where Ubuntu Touch can be installed on and specific (+global) issues. Go through the feature matrix and ensure the device you pick has got all bits working that you require.
2. Apps
Head for OpenStore, our app store. See if you find all the apps you need. Be aware that you can't simply run Android or iOS apps on Ubuntu Touch.
You may be able to run Android apps to some extend with Waydroid though. Also some desktop apps may work with Libertine or as snap. But only with limited system integration.
If you then have further questions, please head to our main group and ask specific questions. The more specific a question is, the more likely you will get a good answer.
Good luck and successful searching!
To be honest, this question can hardly be truly answered by anyone, because we are not you 😉.
No one knows what you wish to do with a device or wich apps you require to work. No one knows which hardware features are important to you. No one knows how much money you have available to spend on a device.
So please check yourself:
1. devices specs
Head for our Devices page. That page lists specs for all devices where Ubuntu Touch can be installed on and specific (+global) issues. Go through the feature matrix and ensure the device you pick has got all bits working that you require.
2. Apps
Head for OpenStore, our app store. See if you find all the apps you need. Be aware that you can't simply run Android or iOS apps on Ubuntu Touch.
You may be able to run Android apps to some extend with Waydroid though. Also some desktop apps may work with Libertine or as snap. But only with limited system integration.
If you then have further questions, please head to our main group and ask specific questions. The more specific a question is, the more likely you will get a good answer.
Good luck and successful searching!
devices.ubuntu-touch.io
Ubuntu Touch • Linux Phone
Ubuntu Touch is the open source phone that has freedom and privacy in mind. Supported by dozens of devices, with installer for FOSS fans
37. Why is there no home screen with app shortcuts or an empty home screen?
UT is designed different than Android (its not Android 😉). It uses the launcher and the drawer to provide app shortcuts. An empty home screen would only show the background image, which you could also do in the gallery or with the show desktop app.
In earlier versions of Ubuntu Touch there where so called Scopes, that made use of the desktop. But they where removed due to instability issues and maintenance burden.
There is an app, launcher modular and home, that kind of provides a home screen with apps and widgets.
But there is right now no option to choose this as part of the system. Someone would need to integrate it. But this is difficult to make sure stability is guaranteed. It would need someone (™️) to do this work.
UT is designed different than Android (its not Android 😉). It uses the launcher and the drawer to provide app shortcuts. An empty home screen would only show the background image, which you could also do in the gallery or with the show desktop app.
In earlier versions of Ubuntu Touch there where so called Scopes, that made use of the desktop. But they where removed due to instability issues and maintenance burden.
There is an app, launcher modular and home, that kind of provides a home screen with apps and widgets.
But there is right now no option to choose this as part of the system. Someone would need to integrate it. But this is difficult to make sure stability is guaranteed. It would need someone (™️) to do this work.
38. Which directories should I backup, if I want to be able to restore my UT device?
Below is a list of directories where userdata is saved that likely is important to you:
Wifi networks
-
Cache
-
- Might not be necessary but some apps like Dekko use it for data
Config
-
- Apps settings and some system settings
App Data
-
Terminal History
-
SMS and Calls
-
Documents
-
Downloads
-
Music
-
Pictures
-
Videos
-
Below is a list of directories where userdata is saved that likely is important to you:
Wifi networks
-
/etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/Cache
-
/home/phablet/.cache- Might not be necessary but some apps like Dekko use it for data
Config
-
/home/phablet/.config- Apps settings and some system settings
App Data
-
/home/phablet/.local/shareTerminal History
-
/home/phablet/.bash_historySMS and Calls
-
/home/phablet/.local/share/history-serviceDocuments
-
/home/phablet/DocumentsDownloads
-
/home/phablet/DownloadsMusic
-
/home/phablet/MusicPictures
-
/home/phablet/PicturesVideos
-
/home/phablet/Videos