Ubuntu – The Most Stable PinePhone OS So Far

Of the four operating systems I’ve tried so far on the PinePhone, Ubuntu Touch (aka UBPorts) is the most stable, getting me nearest to actually placing a successful call.

Installation

The process starts by downloading the latest image, either from the Pine64 wiki or from the UBPorts Jenkins site. Flash the image onto a microSD card using Balena Etcher or your favorite flashing tool.

First Use

Initial startup works like a charm. You’ll want to attach to WiFi since the SIM won’t initially be read. Once you’re in, hop on the Interwebs and have some fun. Just nothing that requires audio, since that’s the next step.

Enable Mobile Data

Ironically, your fancy new phone won’t be able to use any mobile functions. You need to enable the modem, this time and every time you boot. There’s probably a way to turn the process into a startup script; I’ll report back if so.

At any rate, open the Terminal app and enter these commands (taken from this post):

sudo /usr/share/ofono/scripts/enable-modem
sudo /usr/share/ofono/scripts/online-modem

The sudo password is phablet

Once you’ve entered the first command, the second one is a piece of cake thanks to Ubuntu Touch’s nifty keyboard. Swiping up on the keyboard reveals the cursor, which is moved by swiping around. Nice touch, UBPorts.

Enable Audio

Much like enabling mobile data, you’ll have to do this every time you start the device.

Open the Terminal app and enter the following:

sudo modprobe snd_soc_simple_amplifier
sudo modprobe snd_soc_simple_card_utils
amixer -c 0 set 'AIF1 Slot 0 Digital DAC' unmute
amixer -c 0 set 'Line Out' unmute

Optionally, add the line amixer sset 'Line Out' 100% to max out the volume (best I can tell, you’re setting the volume that 100% on the volume rocker corresponds to; i.e. if you leave this at 55% (the default), the loudest you can make your phone is 55% of its true potential).

Don’t Disable Wifi

If you do, it won’t come back. Rather, it will appear enabled, but no access points will appear and even saved APs won’t connect. To remedy, open Terminal and enter the following:

sudo nmcli radio wifi off
sudo nmcli radio wifi on

What Works

So far, I have successfully

  • Played YouTube videos
  • Surfed the web on mobile data
  • Rebooted the phone a bunch of times

What May Yet Work

It turns out that my cheapo FreedomPop SIM requires some proprietary app to do text and calls, so I can’t test that at present. But if the Reddits and the forums are any indication, I’ll be a lucky son of a gun if I manage to successfully place a call. Texts shouldn’t be a problem.

What Doesn’t Work

Taking a friggin screenshot. Maybe there’s another app required?

Updates to follow.

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