With the rising interest in Linux-based operating systems for mobile devices, choosing the right distro is crucial for performance and usability. This page highlights the best Linux distros tailored for phones, ensuring a seamless and efficient mobile experience.
A good phone distro must be optimized for touchscreen interfaces, ensuring smooth and intuitive navigation.
Efficient power management is crucial for prolonged usage without frequent charging, which is essential for mobile devices.
A wide range of compatible apps is necessary to meet the diverse needs of mobile users, from productivity to entertainment.
Strong security measures must be in place to protect user data and ensure safe operations on the phone.
Our top picks for phones, ranked by overall experience.
Best overall experience
Ubuntu Touch offers a smooth and intuitive interface with excellent app support. It's designed specifically for mobile devices, ensuring a seamless experience.
Highly customizable OS
PostmarketOS is an open-source project focused on providing a highly customizable Linux experience for phones, with long-term support as a priority.
Elegant KDE interface
Plasma Mobile offers an elegant and visually appealing interface, leveraging the KDE ecosystem for a consistent user experience across devices.
Strong privacy focus
Sailfish OS is known for its robust privacy features and support for Android apps, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing security.
Open webOS revival
LuneOS is an open-source continuation of the webOS experience, bringing a familiar environment to modern mobile devices.
Debian for mobile
Mobian is a Debian-based mobile operating system, offering a stable and reliable environment with access to a wide range of software.
Not sure which to pick? These comparisons might help.
Yes, some Linux phone distros like Sailfish OS offer compatibility layers to run Android apps, allowing users to access a broader range of applications.
Linux phone distros generally prioritize security with regular updates, privacy-focused features, and community-vetted code, ensuring a secure environment.
While many smartphones can run Linux, compatibility depends on the device's hardware and the specific Linux distro's support for that hardware.
Most modern Linux phone distros are compatible with 5G networks, provided the hardware supports it and the necessary drivers are available.
Linux on phones offers advantages like enhanced privacy, open-source flexibility, and a diverse range of apps and customizations.
Many Linux phone distros strive to be user-friendly, with intuitive interfaces and comprehensive documentation to assist new users.
Compare any two distros side-by-side.
