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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Would it be possible to dumb down a linux phone? (feddit.it)

submitted 1 day ago by dontblink@feddit.it to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Regardless of the distribution, would it be possible to have a phone that can be simplified to include only the features you want? For example, I would only want a calendar, notes, a calculator, calls and messages. I wouldn’t want a browser, an app store or any other way to easily install them. Is this possible on a Linux mobile distro? Does it require a lot of work, like making a specific distro for it?

Linux feels like a great option for this because it can leave enough freedom to dumb down what you don't need while also keeping a big level of customization, not everyone needs are the same regarding to dumbphones

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[–] uKale@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You could do something like that with Ubuntu Touch, but why waste the battery life and money on a smart phone when you can do this with a feature phone?

[–] racoon@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Because most feature phones are not compatible with signal

[–] uKale@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

That makes sense. On Ubuntu Touch (if you find a compatible device) you could just delete the apps you don't want and keep the rest.

Two issues I can think of is updating the apps that you do keep without the app store - I'm not sure there's an easy way to do that. Maybe transfer the new package via cable or ssh (as you've also uninstalled the browser) and install it via the command line? The other issue could be uninstalling system apps. I haven't tried that myself, but I have heard of others doing it and breaking things.