this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2026
14 points (93.8% liked)

Linux

63443 readers
594 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by AlpΓ‘r-Etele MΓ©der, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
nooter692@lemmy.ml
AgreeableLandscape@lemmy.ml
MarcellusDrum@lemmy.ml
cypherpunks@lemmy.ml
cyclohexane@lemmy.ml
d3Xt3r@lemmy.nz
14
Looking for an OS that I can plug in to any (Android) phone and run it. (feddit.uk)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) by Babalugats@feddit.uk to c/linux@lemmy.ml
9 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Hey,

I'm looking for a live OS that I can run from a USB on any phone - but if only Android/non iPhone phones are possible, that's good too.

I know of etchdroid and running e.g. tails from that using the phone as a PC, and I'm aware that most or all Linux distros can run live from USB into PC, but I'm looking for something that I can have on a USB, plugin to any phone and run it. Save files, maybe apps onto it so that the next time I run it on any other phone, it will take up from where I left off and I can still use the same software that I installed on it.

I have recently heard of plug os which reminded me to look for this again, but plugos.net is a million miles out of my budget or what I'm willing to pay for something like that.

Are there any others? Free or (much) cheaper?

EDIT -

THANKS EVERYONE! πŸ‘πŸ™Œ

It seems that it's not possible, and that the one I thought was similar to what I was looking for, is actually a modified Android version that runs from a custom built usb stick.

So not possible (at least for now 🀞).

top 9 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] mr_anny@sopuli.xyz 22 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Short answer = Nope.

PlugOS does not run in the phone, but in the thumb device named PlugMate.

Running OS in any phone is not possible as bootloaders are tailored to specific SoC:s and proprietary to manufacturers and they really do not share the sources.

If it would be possible we would have quite wild mobile phone linux scene.

[–] Ghostie@lemmy.zip 3 points 22 hours ago

Maybe one day.

[–] APF@discuss.tchncs.de 12 points 1 day ago

I dont know about that, most phones dont do boot over usb. But some Volla Phones support dual boot from internal storage.

X23 for example: https://volla.online/de/volla-phone-x23/

[–] buckykat@hexbear.net 4 points 23 hours ago

That plugos thing isn't a usb storage device you can boot from, it's a whole (crappy) sbc running android you can view through a companion app on the host phone.

Phones don't allow booting from usb for ""security,"" specifically the security of the company's profits.

[–] GNUmer@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Live USB is not really possible for mobile phones. As ARM devices generally do not adhere to BIOS/UEFI standards, running an OS requires more packaged firmware than what a regular x86 laptop/desktop requires.

In addition to the difficulty ARM brings to this equation, bootloaders are generally locked down on mobile devices. It may be impossible to unlock it depending on the device.

[–] Babalugats@feddit.uk 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

What's plug OS?

I assumed that was Linux. 🀷

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That's not an actual OS. It's an app-backed secure storage device more than anything. The app you launch on your devices accesses whatever you have on the thumb device and runs it on your phone. Mostly just marketing, but certainly not an actual self-contained OS.

[–] GNUmer@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago

The specifications do mention Android 14 and it does have an SoC capable of running Android. The only thing lacking is a display, which is implemented via VDI.

[–] GNUmer@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 day ago

Plug OS is Android running on a separate device, not the device itself. You still need an app to access it through a virtual desktop.