Someone got desktop Linux running on an iPhone 6S in August 2026, which is another reminder that “abandoned by the manufacturer” doesn’t have to mean “abandoned.” Between postmarketOS (supporting 723 device models as of early 2026), Ubuntu Touch under UBports, and a handful of niche distros, the mobile-Linux scene has become the best answer to a drawer full of old phones nobody wants to trade in.
We tested seven tools that give an old phone a second life as a Linux device. Five are distros you actually install and run day-to-day. Two are desktop apps you use to flash them from a Windows, macOS, or Linux machine. One is the exploit tool that made the iPhone 6S Linux port possible.
What to look for in mobile Linux setup
The criteria that actually matter:
- Your specific device is supported. Mobile Linux is not “one distro, all phones.” Check your exact model against each project’s device list before you commit.
- Cellular calls, SMS, and mobile data work. A “supported” phone might not do calls yet. This is the hardest thing to make work, and the biggest gap between demo and daily driver.
- Camera, GPS, and Bluetooth work. These are also famously incomplete. Read the device wiki.
- Battery life is livable. Some ports draw 3-4x the stock power. Newer kernels help, but check current reports.
- App availability. Ubuntu Touch has its own store. postmarketOS ships desktop Linux apps that don’t always work on a 5-inch screen. Sailfish has Android app sandboxing.
- Recovery path if it breaks. You want to be able to flash back to Android or iOS if the port implodes.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Runs on | Free plan | Starting price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| postmarketOS | Broadest hardware support | 723 device models | Yes | Free (donation) | 4.5 |
| Ubuntu Touch (UBports) | Daily-driver polish on a subset of phones | ~50 supported devices | Yes | Free (donation) | 4.6 |
| Mobian | Debian on mobile hardware | PinePhone family + a few Android ports | Yes | Free | 4.3 |
| Plasma Mobile | KDE desktop experience on a phone | PinePhone, PineTab, some Android ports | Yes | Free | 4.2 |
| Sailfish OS | Commercial-polish + Android app sandboxing | ~15 official devices, many community | Free tier | Free (basic) / ~€50 (Sailfish X) | 4.4 |
| PmBootstrap | Building your own postmarketOS install | Windows / macOS / Linux | Yes | Free | 4.5 |
| UBports Installer | One-click Ubuntu Touch flash | Windows / macOS / Linux | Yes | Free | 4.7 |
| checkra1n | Boot exploit for iPhone A7-A11 (needed for Linux on iPhone) | Windows / macOS / Linux | Yes | Free | 4.3 |
The apps
1. postmarketOS — Broadest hardware support
postmarketOS is a mobile-first Alpine Linux distribution and it supports more phones than any other option: 723 device models as of February 2026, from the PinePhone to the OnePlus 6T to the Fairphone 4 to the Nokia N900. It’s the pick if you want to try mobile Linux on whatever phone you have lying around.
Where it falls short: Not every supported phone is a daily driver. Support tiers range from “boots” through “cellular works” to “actually usable.” Check your model’s wiki page before you get excited. Requires tinkering to keep everyday reliability.
Pricing:
- Free, donation-supported
Platforms: Runs on 723 device models — check postmarketos.org/devices
Download: postmarketos.org
Bottom line: The right first stop for any Android-descended phone. Skip only if your device is on the “boots but nothing else” tier.
2. Ubuntu Touch (UBports) — Best daily-driver polish
Ubuntu Touch by UBports (the community that picked up Canonical’s discontinued project) is the most polished mobile Linux for actually using as your phone. Supported devices include the OnePlus family, Pixel 3a, Fairphone 4, and the PinePhone. Calls, SMS, mobile data, camera, and Bluetooth all work on the well-supported models.
Where it falls short: The supported device list is much shorter than postmarketOS. App compatibility is limited to Ubuntu Touch’s own OpenStore. Some hardware features (fingerprint, wireless charging) don’t work.
Pricing:
- Free (donation-supported)
Platforms: ~50 supported devices — check devices.ubuntu-touch.io
Download: ubuntu-touch.io
Bottom line: The best pick if your phone is on the supported list and you want a mobile Linux that actually works as a phone. Skip if your device isn’t supported.
3. Mobian — Debian on mobile
Mobian is what you get when Debian aims for phones. Same package manager, same apt commands you know from a desktop Debian machine. Best on the PinePhone and PinePhone Pro, with community ports for a handful of Android devices.
Where it falls short: Best-supported hardware is Pine64’s line, which means buying a phone rather than reviving one. Community Android ports lag. Interface (Phosh) works but isn’t as polished as Ubuntu Touch.
Pricing:
- Free
Platforms: PinePhone, PinePhone Pro, PineTab; community ports for some Android devices
Download: mobian.org
Bottom line: Pick Mobian if you own a PinePhone and want Debian’s familiarity. Skip if you want to revive a random old Android.
4. Plasma Mobile — KDE on a phone
Plasma Mobile is the mobile version of KDE Plasma. If you already love KDE on a desktop, the mobile edition brings the same design language to a phone. It runs on top of a mobile Linux distro (postmarketOS or Manjaro ARM) and gives you a proper KDE experience.
Where it falls short: Small user base means fewer polish updates. Some KDE mobile apps still feel like desktop apps ported to a small screen. Battery life is not its strong suit.
Pricing:
- Free, open source
Platforms: PinePhone, PinePhone Pro, PineTab, some Android ports via postmarketOS
Download: plasma-mobile.org
Bottom line: Pick Plasma Mobile if you’re a KDE fan and want that on your phone. Skip if you want the polish of Ubuntu Touch or the reach of postmarketOS.
5. Sailfish OS — Best for Android app sandboxing
Sailfish OS by Finland’s Jolla is the closest thing to a commercial mobile Linux. Sailfish X (their paid variant, ~€50) adds official Android app support in a sandbox, plus predictive text and Exchange sync. That Android layer lets you run the apps you actually need (WhatsApp, banking) on a Linux base.
Where it falls short: Free tier is limited. Not open source at the OS level. Officially supported hardware is short — Sony Xperia phones mostly. Community ports exist for many devices but with reduced support.
Pricing:
- Free tier: no Android sandbox, no updates on some devices
- Paid: Sailfish X at ~€50 one-time for official devices
Platforms: Sony Xperia 10 III, Xperia 10 IV, Xperia 10 V (official); ~50 community ports
Download: sailfishos.org
Bottom line: Pick Sailfish OS if you need Android app compatibility on Linux and own a supported Sony Xperia. Skip if you don’t want to pay for the good version.
6. PmBootstrap — Building your own postmarketOS install
PmBootstrap is the developer tool for building custom postmarketOS images. If your device is community-supported (or you want to port to a new one), pmbootstrap runs on your desktop and cross-builds the image for the phone. Written in Python, extensively documented.
Where it falls short: Not for casual users. You need to be comfortable with a terminal and reading kernel logs. Errors can be cryptic.
Pricing:
- Free, open source
Platforms: Windows (WSL), macOS, Linux
Download: GitHub
Bottom line: Install PmBootstrap if you want to build custom postmarketOS images or port to new hardware. Skip if you just want to flash a ready-made image.
7. UBports Installer — One-click Ubuntu Touch flash
UBports Installer is the desktop utility that flashes Ubuntu Touch onto a supported phone. Plug the phone in over USB, run the installer, follow the wizard. Handles unlocking the bootloader, wiping the device, and installing the OS with minimal terminal work.
Where it falls short: Only useful for Ubuntu Touch — not for other distros. Some devices require extra steps (bootloader unlock codes) that the installer walks you through but can’t do for you.
Pricing:
- Free
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: devices.ubuntu-touch.io/installer
Bottom line: Install UBports Installer alongside Ubuntu Touch. Skip if you’re going with postmarketOS or Mobian.
8. checkra1n — Boot exploit for old iPhones
checkra1n exploits the bootrom on A7 through A11 iPhones (iPhone 5s through iPhone X) and makes Linux ports like the iPhone 6S port possible. It’s the exploit tool that unlocks the door — the Linux distro itself is a separate project. Without checkra1n, most alternative OSes can’t get onto old iPhones at all.
Where it falls short: Only supports A7-A11 devices. Tethered — you have to re-run checkra1n each time you reboot on some setups. Not a distro itself.
Pricing:
- Free
Platforms: macOS, Linux, Windows (via bootable USB)
Download: checkra.in
Bottom line: Install checkra1n if you’re trying to boot Linux on an old iPhone (5s through X). Skip if you have an Android device — you don’t need it.
How to pick the right one
Match the pick to what you’re reviving:
If it’s an Android phone and you want to try quickly: postmarketOS. Broadest support, easiest to check compatibility.
If it’s on Ubuntu Touch’s supported list and you want a daily driver: Ubuntu Touch via the UBports Installer.
If you bought a PinePhone specifically: Mobian for Debian familiarity, or Plasma Mobile if you love KDE.
If you need real Android app compatibility: Sailfish OS on an official Sony Xperia.
If it’s an iPhone 5s through X: checkra1n plus a Linux port project (usually postmarketOS-based).
If your device isn’t supported and you want to port it yourself: PmBootstrap and a lot of patience.
FAQ
What is the best mobile Linux distro in 2026?
Ubuntu Touch for daily-driver polish on a supported phone, postmarketOS for broadest hardware support, Sailfish OS for Android app compatibility. There isn’t one right answer — check your device first.
Can I use mobile Linux as my main phone?
Yes, on well-supported devices (OnePlus 6/6T, Pixel 3a, Fairphone 4, Sony Xperia 10 III/IV/V). Calls, SMS, mobile data, and mainstream apps all work. Expect gaps in banking apps, cameras, and some hardware features.
Does postmarketOS work on iPhones?
There are community efforts (like the iPhone 6S port) that use postmarketOS on Apple hardware through checkra1n. They’re proof-of-concept, not daily drivers. Any Android-descended phone is a much better bet.
How long does it take to install mobile Linux?
Ubuntu Touch through the UBports Installer takes about 20 minutes on a supported device. postmarketOS installs take 30-60 minutes and involve more terminal work. Custom pmbootstrap builds can take an evening.
Can I install Linux and keep Android as dual-boot?
Some setups support dual-boot (postmarketOS has partial support), but it’s device-specific and often unreliable. The safer approach: back up your Android data, flash Linux, and keep the original Android image so you can restore later.