Phone operating systems

What runs your phone.

5open alternatives 3do the whole job

Replaces

Google Android Apple iOS

Open alternatives5

Open-source apps that replace Google Android and Apple iOS

GrapheneOS

Not on GitHubActiveAndroidVerifiedMITApp

GrapheneOS is a mobile operating system for phones that focuses on privacy and security while still running most Android apps. It is aimed at people who want a more private and secure phone, and it currently supports Pixel phones only.

App · Own website · Pixel phones only; you install it yourself

LineageOS

Not on GitHubActiveAndroidApache-2.0App

LineageOS is a free replacement operating system for many Android phones and tablets, giving older or newer devices a fresh, customizable software base. It is for people who want more control over their phone's software and privacy.

App · Own website · You install it yourself; Google apps are an optional add-on

No screenshot yet

/e/OS

Not on GitHubActiveAndroidApache-2.0App

/e/OS is a smartphone operating system built on a de-Googled version of Android that aims to keep your data private. It is for people who want a phone that does not track their location or app use.

App · Own website · Some bank apps may not work; also sold pre-installed

postmarketOS

Not on GitHubActiveLinuxGPL-3.0-or-laterReplaces partlyApp

postmarketOS is a Linux-based operating system for phones, built to keep older devices useful for many years. It is for tinkerers: on most phones, calls, the camera or mobile data do not fully work yet.

App · Own website · Calls, camera or mobile data may not work on most phones

Ubuntu Touch

Not on GitHubActiveLinuxGPL-3.0Replaces partlyApp

Ubuntu Touch is a free, open source operating system for smartphones that aims to work like a full desktop computer. It is for people who want a phone with more privacy and control over their software.

App · GitLab · Works on a short list of phones; few apps

What's missing

What people still miss here, and wish existed. Upvote what matters to you.

Operating systems & phones board

Before you build

Planning something for phone operating systems? See what exists first, so you can reuse parts or explain what's different. Paste this into any AI assistant:

Read the list of open-source alternatives at https://opensourceeverything.org/data/groups/phone-os.json. Compare it with my project or idea below. Tell me which projects overlap, what I could reuse instead of rewriting, and what mine does that none of them do. My project or idea:

Download the list

Fix the list itself

A project or closed app missing from this list, or a mistake on it? These open a short form on GitHub, and a mod reviews it. To say what a project can't do, use What's missing.

Add a project here Add a closed app it replaces Fix something on this page

About this page

Replaces fully means it does the main job of these apps; Replaces partly means it covers some of it.

Licenses: every project here uses an open-source license (what each one means). Open core means some parts are paid or under another license.

GitHub stars are shown for reference. They measure popularity, not whether it replaces anything.

Verified means r/TrueOpenSource mods checked it: open-source license, maintained, and it really does the job.

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