PinePhone Software Releases

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Revision as of 15:03, 12 August 2023 by Fxc (talk | contribs) (→‎Notes: These installation notes without any further explanation confuse a lot of people)
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This page contains a list of all available releases and tools for the PinePhone in alphabetical order.

Note: Some releases may not have a good setup for the backlight at low brightness. If configured too low, the backlight shuts down completely, but the screen is still displayed and usable in bright front-light.

See PinePhone Installation Instructions on how to install the operating systems. Please see PinePhone Updating Instructions for how to update the phone.

Software Releases

Arch Linux ARM

Archlinux-logo.png

(Unofficial) Arch Linux ARM with choice of Phosh UI, Plasma Mobile, sxmo or barebones. It is maintained by the DanctNIX community (GitHub: danctnix, dreemurrs-embedded).

Download

Get both stable and test builds at GitHub releases.

Default credentials
Default user alarm/123456
root (barebone only) root/root

Notes

ExpidusOS

A fork of Void Linux with a custom fork of XFCE called Gensis as the default desktop environment, developed by Midstall Software.

Download

Check the download page for that latest version, or the image file list for all versions, look for the filename that starts with "pinephone".

Default credentials
Default user expidus/expidus

Notes

What works, what does not work:

How to contribute and report defects:

Fedora

Fedora1.png

An (unofficial) vanilla Fedora rawhide build for aarch64 with megi's kernel and some additional packages to tie it all together. It aims to eventually be an upstream part of the Fedora project, rather than a phone-specific distribution.

Download

There is also an FTP server with images build every night @ ftp://pine.warpspeed.dk/nightly/pinephone/ (Mount this with something like Nautilus)

Default credentials
GitHub images pine/123456
Nightly images (via FTP) pine/1111

Notes

WiFi, Bluetooth, SMS, Data, Calls all work! There are still a few bugs though, and some features don't have driver support yet on any PinePhone distribution.

Please send your bug reports to the project's issue tracker. Be sure to include logs if applicable! Send us pull requests on Github.

Gentoo

GentooLogo.png

There are unofficial Gentoo overlays with ebuilds for the PinePhone. There are no images - the image must be built manually, including picking the kernel, bootloader and the desired desktop environment. The ARM64 version of Gentoo has to be selected.

Download

Overlay locations:

Notes

The documentation can be found here:

Note: Please consider cross-compiling the software on the computer. Long compilation times and heat production can lead to a reduced lifespan of the phone.

GloDroid

A fully open-source port of Android and LineageOS to the PinePhone.

GitHub: GloDroid

Download

Notes

Feature overview:

  • Works: WiFi, screen dimming, sound, touchscreen, charging and telephony(partially) works.
  • Doesn't work: Bluetooth and GPS
  • See more at project status page

Kali Linux

Kali-logo.png

The official Kali Nethunter images for PinePhone and PinePhone Pro have been released now. For older/unofficial releases, you can still download from the GitHub releases page. Get Nethunter App for your PinePhone's Kali Linux. Packet Injection is working now, use iwconfig instead of airmon-ng.

Download

Warning: There are reports that the official Kali images fail to boot.
Default credentials
Default user for Unofficial Releases kali/8888
Default user for Nethunter Releases kali/1234

Notes

For the installation see the installation instructions under PinePhone Installation Instructions

LuneOS

Luneos-logo-256.png

LuneOS is one of the original multi-tasking OS-es that runs on Linux. Based on HP/Palm's webOS, merged with latest technology stack from LG called webOS OSE (a derivative of what LG uses on their Smart TV's), software such as Qt5 and makes use of the Yocto build system.

Download

Default credentials
Default user root

Notes

In order to connect to the device using SSH/SCP via WiFi: You can simply connect via SSH/SCP via WiFi using the PinePhone's IP address on port 22.

Maemo Leste

Maemoleste-logo.png

Maemo is a trimmed-down version of Debian for mobile devices, originally a collaboration between Nokia and many open source projects (the Maemo community) before Nokia abandoned it. The more well-known devices Maemo supports are the OpenMoko and N900. The community now takes full responsibility in developing fully open source Maemo for a variety of mobile devices. You may be interested to learn more about the features in their Maemo Leste FAQ.

Maemo 8 "Leste" is an ARM64 port of Devuan (Debian without systemd) and runs the mainline Linux kernel. The default user interface stack is Hildon, Xorg, Matchbox WM, and GTK.

Download

There is also an image builder, see the wiki for instructions on how to build a custom image. For current status and instructions, please read their PinePhone wiki page.

Default credentials
root toor
user 12345 (lockscreen)

Notes

Most discussion occurs at #maemo-leste on irc.libera.chat and this thread.

All other contact information is listed on the main page of the Maemo wiki.

Submit bug reports on github. To track known issues, you may use these search terms: pinephone, pine64.

Manjaro ARM

Manjaro-logo.svg

Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system with the Plasma Mobile and Phosh desktop environment.

Download

Default credentials (Only Phosh)
Default user manjaro/123456
root root/root

Notes

The installation of the stable images is strongly suggested. The dev images might break frequently.

Mobian

Debian-logo.png

An unofficial Debian build for ARM64 running with Phosh (developed by Purism, uses Wayland instead of Xorg). The base system is pure Debian, with only the GUI applications and a few others (ModemManager, WiFi chip firmware) being built from modified sources (as well as the kernel and u-boot). Current version is Debian Bookworm.

Download

Note: Tow-Boot is required to be able to boot the images, see here!
Default credentials
Default user mobian/1234

Notes

The development is work in progress. See pinephone-support for further information. The Mobian wiki can be found here.

In order to connect to the device using SSH/SCP via WiFi, you need to install SSH on the device. You can do this by executing the following in a shell: "sudo apt-get install ssh", afterwards you can connect via SSH/SCP via WiFi using the PinePhone's IP address on port 22.

Multi-distro demo image

Warning: This is a demo image for testing different operating systems before installing a regular image. Attempting to use this image productively is highly discouraged. The kernel is shared across the different operating systems and is not updated.

This image allow users to try many Linux distributions easily, without having to figure out how to flash them individually and juggle with many microSD cards. Also called megi's 15-in-1 multi boot image.

Download

Update 2022-01-26, using megi's kernel 5.16.2

DD image to SD card and boot. This image is for 16GiB or larger SD cards, also works if flashed to eMMC.

This is also a good build for charging depleted battery. Just boot up this build with power supply connected, keep the PinePhone charging for 3 hours at power down stage.

For more info on this build, please visit its entry the "News" section of its web page.

Due to its size, download though torrent is suggested by the author on its main page.

Default credentials
General 1111
sxmo user/1111
Manjaro seems to insist on 123456

Notes

Note: Note about zstd) archive file (.zst):

On Linux, you may install or compile zstd, then write the image to SD card by piping zstdcat and dd. See the "Installation" section of its web page for command examples.

On Windows, instead of the offical zstd command line program, you may use 7-zip-zstd. Different installation method is provided in their README. Install 7-Zip-zstd / zstd, extract the disk image file (.img) from the zstd archive, and flash with tools like Win32 Disk Imager.

Also see PinePhone Installation Instructions.

Nemo Mobile

Nemo mobile.png

Nemo Mobile is the open source build of Sailfish OS with a open source UI called Glacier, based on Manjaro.

Download

Image

Default credentials
Default user manjaro/123456
root root/root

Notes

The website of the Nemo Mobile UX Team can be found here. Please report bugs regarding the Nemo Mobile UI as GitHub issue.

NixOS

NixOS.webp

NixOS is a Linux distribution built on top of the Nix package manager using declarative configuration to allow reliable system upgrades.

Download

There is a guided installer by the Mobile NixOS project available. An installer image that can be flashed to a sdcard can be downloaded from the Hydra build instance.

Users that want to build a local image, are expected to follow the instructions in the Getting Started page, and Project's device page.

Notes

Project home page: Mobile NixOS

OpenMandriva Lx

Oma-logo-22042013 300pp.png

OpenMandriva Lx with Plasma Mobile as UI.

Download

The official image can be found at sourceforge.net. See here for the offical announcement.

Notes

Note: This image is solely for testing purposes.

openSUSE

SLEM-OS-logo.png

Our images use the same openSUSE Tumbleweed base as our desktop images, except what needs to be changed for the PinePhone. The images include zypper (RPM) as the default package manager, and have access to virtually the same (open source) software as our desktop repositories, thanks to the Factory ports. Using dnf is possible, if preferred.

Download

To verify the images you need to import our GPG key. Keep on mind that the first boot may stay on black screen for about a minute - consequent boots should be faster.

You can find install instructions at this section in the openSUSE Wiki.

Default credentials
Default user pine/1234
root root/linux

Notes

You can find all information about the releases of the project here. Detailed information, tips and troubleshooting suggestions are also provided at the openSUSE Wiki. You will also find information in our wiki on how to report issues (Contributing section).

postmarketOS

PostmarketOS logo.png

postmarketOS extends Alpine Linux to run on smartphones and other mobile devices. It offers various user interfaces (Phosh, Plasma Mobile, Sxmo, Plasma Desktop, Gnome 3, Kodi, XFCE4, ...).

Download

Download page

Default credentials
Test images user user/147147

Notes

As of writing, official images are provided with Phosh, Plasma Mobile and Sxmo. The official images come in two flavors, either as a test image to try out postmarketOS, or with the installer.

When using the installer images (recommended), it is possible to:

  • encrypt the installation
  • install from the SD card to eMMC

Power users may also create their own image with the distribution's install and development tool pmbootstrap.

See the pine64-pinephone page of the postmarketOS wiki for details.

Rhino Linux

Rhino-linux-logo.png

Rhino Linux is an Ubuntu-based distribution that uses the rolling-release model by tracking the devel branch of repositories. The port is currently maintained by Oren Klopfer (oklopfer).

Tow-Boot is required for installing Rhino Linux. Instructions for installing Tow-Boot to the PinePhone can be found here. After Tow-Boot has been installed to your device, Rhino Linux installation just requires flashing the .img.xz to an SD or the eMMC.

Download

Rhino Linux Downloads (select Pine64 on the dropdown)

Default credentials
Default user rhino/1234

Notes

Foundational to the distribution is Pacstall, a Debian-based user repository inspired by the AUR. Additionally, RL comes with Unicorn, a custom modified version of XFCE with various modernizations and improvements, including auto-rotation for mobile devices.

Discord - Matrix - GitHub - Wiki

Sailfish OS

SailfishOS logo.png

Sailfish OS is a Linux-based operating system based on open source projects such as Mer, and a closed source UI based on Lipstick.

Download

Flashing script

The Sailfish OS image is built on Gitlab CI. The latest image can be installed using the flashing script.

The script downloads the image and bootloader from the CI, extracts everything and burns it onto the SD card. Note: The script will format and erase the SD card!

Instructions:

  1. Download the flashing script
  2. Insert a microSD card in your device
  3. Make the script executable: chmod +x flash-it.sh
  4. Verify that you have the bsdtar package installed
  5. Execute it: ./flash-it.sh
  6. Follow the instructions. Some commands in the script require root permissions (for example: mounting and flashing the SD card).
  • When asked where to flash, type 'raw' and it will build the image on your computer. Otherwise define the path /dev/.... to flash to card or internal emmc.

username/password

Set PIN on initialization.

Notes

  • Sometimes the first run stalls before the tutorial. Reboot and it will start from setting the security pin.
  • The homescreen may be locked unless you boot with a sim card inserted. An old expired sim will do. If you do not have a SIM card on hands, do NOT set a security code on first boot.
  • When a screen with a loading circle is displayed, just left/right swipe it away.
  • If you're not familiar with Sailfish OS, pay attention to the tutorial - the interface works great, but is not immediately obvious. If you are familiar with it, you can skip the tutorial by touching all 4 corners starting top left.

What works, what does not work

See the Hardware Support section on the Mer Wiki's PinePhone Page.

There is a limited selection of apps available from the Jolla store, the vast majority are hosted on openrepos.net. If the Storeman app for openrepos is not preinstalled, download the RPM and click to install.

How to contribute and report defects

See the documentation wiki at the github project for help and links.

See the Installation section on the Mer Wiki's PinePhone Page for compile, build and development.

Git repo links are at the top of this OS section. other repos that may be helpful:

See the Sailfish OS wiki for links to their forum, as well as info required when reporting an issue. See the Sailfish OS wiki main page for options to contribute to Sailfish OS.

Notes

OTA is supported: zypper refresh && zypper update as root (devel-su to get root access). Things that need reflash are bootloader specific at the moment. If improvements like Crust or changes of partition layout are added, then you need to reflash.

SkiffOS

SkiffOS-Icon-1.png

Minimal in-memory cross-compiled OS optimized for hosting multiple in parallel Docker containers. Provides the reliability of firmware with the ease-of-use of package managers.

Download

The repository and instructions can be found here.

Notes

Upgrade over-the-air via a simple rsync script, or copying 3 files.

Uses the Buildroot cross-compilation tool for support for all Pine64 boards.

Use configuration packages to configure distro:

Package Distro
core/pinephone_neon KDE Neon via Ubuntu repositories
core/pinephone_nixos Nixos Mobile
core/pinephone_gentoo Gentoo with Link-time Optimization & KDE Mobile or Phosh
core/pinephone_ubports Ubuntu Ports for PinePhone
core/pinephone_manjaro_kde Manjaro for PinePhone: KDE variant
core/pinephone_manjaro_phosh Manjaro for PinePhone: Phosh variant
core/pinephone_manjaro_lomiri Manjaro for PinePhone: Lomiri variant

The boot-up OS is upgraded independently from the containers.

Slackware

Slackware is the world's oldest actively developed Linux distribution, providing a modern user land (applications) and Linux Kernel, within a more classic Unix Operating System environment.

Download

Notes

Discussion: Thread

Ubuntu Touch

Ubports-logo.png

A Mobile Version of the Ubuntu Operating System made and maintained by the UBports Community. The port is currently maintained by Oren Klopfer (oklopfer).

Tow-Boot is required for installing the latest version of Ubuntu Touch (20.04) on the PinePhone. Instructions for installing Tow-Boot to the PinePhone can be found here.

Installation instructions can be found at this UBports post. After Tow-Boot has been installed to your device, Ubuntu Touch installation just requires flashing the .img.xz to an SD or the eMMC.

Download

UBports 20.04 PinePhone Latest Releases

UBports PinePhone Device Info

Default credentials
Default user Set during boot
root phablet/1234

Notes

Scroll down to the middle of the GitLab project page, or directly here at the UBports website to see which features work.

Contributions and bug reports can be made at the UBports PinePhone GitLab page. See UBports website for how to donate.

Further Releases

Apache NuttX RTOS

Apache NuttX RTOS is a Real-Time Operating System that supports PinePhone

Sculpt Operating System (Genode OS Framework)

Sculpt OS since version 23.04 supports PinePhone. Ready-to-use system image available on the download page.

Tools

There are software tools, that can be booted on the PinePhone.

JumpDrive

JumpDrive can be used to flash the eMMC (and the microSD card), see PinePhone Installation Instructions#Using JumpDrive.

See https://github.com/dreemurrs-embedded/Jumpdrive/releases for the latest image. Make sure to download the "PinePhone" image and to unpack the archive before flashing.

Tow-Boot

Tow-Boot is a more user-friendly distribution of U-Boot. Can also mount internal storage as USB Mass Storage by holding the volume up button at startup before and during the second vibration and the LED will turn blue if done successfully.

See https://github.com/Tow-Boot/Tow-Boot/releases for the latest image. Make sure to download the image with pinephoneA64 in the name.

Hardware test build

Warning: The factorytest image for hardware testing appears to be no longer maintained.

On the Braveheart model, there was a postmarketOS based basic Factory Test OS pre-installed on the eMMC. The developer Martijn Braam from postmarketOS has improved the functionality of the image considerably later. Since the 20200501 version, it is able to test all the hardware. It also includes functionality to install a new OS to the eMMC when using with an test image that includes that OS image. The downloadable image just does the hardware tests. Do not flash eMMC to test your device, just flash it to microSD and test from there. New versions are distributed as part of the postmarketOS distribution.

Note: The magnetometer test will fail on the new Beta Edition, as the factory image wasn't updated for it yet.

Links:

Historic factory builds

These are different operating system builds that was preloaded in the factory with testing utility.

Download the build, extract the image and dd it to a 8 GB or larger microSD card, then insert it into the PinePhone. After power up or reboot, you may perform and complete the test routine, or apply the build from microSD card to eMMC.

All the download links below are direct download from pine64.org.

Warning: These images are for testing purposes only. If you are looking for an up-to-date image please select one from the software releases section instead.
Distribution Download Link File Size MD5
Beta Edition pine64-pinephone-plamo-beta-factorytest.img.xz 1.78GB f16bce93504a52217540ac886863a418
Mobian pine64-pinephone-20201207-factorytest-mobian.img.xz 1.41GB 015be381ff4e650a7fca6d4eaa90d63d
KDE pine64-pinephone-20201208-factorytest-kde.img.xz 2.28GB 32979ff17b5ec4d358ce99f1aff0c77c
Manjaro pine64-pinephone-20201013-manjaro-stable-20201018-factory56.img.xz 1.04GB 4edfd4dceaefdd32a3417c1727161c29
postmarketOS pine64-pinephone-20200726-phosh-v20.05-factory.img.xz 517MB 244093be2f6d728fcbd1d29114607727
Ubuntu Touch PinePhone-flasher-ubuntu-7b.img.gz 1.05GB 2d7f5271e7a281db8f1b1219bedbe131

Installing other ARM64 distributions

Other ARM64 distributions might be installed as well, however this requires some tinkering and may not work well.

Note: Distributions not on this page may not even boot after you follow this section. In the best case, they will be barely usable. This is more for fun, or if you would like to port a new distribution to the PinePhone.

General steps:

  1. Create a boot partition (from 4 MB to about 252 MB) and a root partition (from the end of boot to the end of the card) filesystem on the SD card.
  2. Format the boot partition with vfat, and the root partition with a supported filesystem like ext4 or f2fs.
  3. Extract the root filesystem from your distribution's ARM image into the root filesystem on the SD card. Do not copy the partition, copy the files instead (in archive mode, like rsync -ar).
  4. Edit /etc/fstab to match your partitions.
  5. Grab megi's kernel from https://xff.cz/kernels/, Follow the instructions in the README, which involves copying the kernel modules into the SD card rootfs, and writing u-boot and the bootloader.

If you would like to see examples or specific commands for how to complete these steps, see:

Other Resources

Community

Hardware information

Other software information

Other

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