## E: apparently it needs to be said that I am not suggesting you switch to
Linux on your phone today; just that development needs to accelerate. Please
don’t be one of the 34 people that replied to tell me Linux is not ready.
Android has always been a fairly open platform, especially if you were
deliberate about getting it that way, but we’ve seen in recent months an
extremely rapid devolution of the Android ecosystem: 1. The closing of
development of an increasing number of components in AOSP.
[https://9to5google.com/2025/03/26/google-android-aosp-developement-private/] 2.
Samsung [https://trendslife.in/samsung-one-ui-removed-bootloader-unlock/],
Xiaomi
[https://droidwin.com/xiaomi-might-no-longer-allow-bootloader-unlocking-on-miui/]
and OnePlus [https://droidwin.com/now-oneplus-restricts-bootloader-unlocking/]
have removed the option of bootloader unlocking on all of their devices. I
suspect Google is not far behind. 3. Google implementing Play Integrity API and
encouraging developers to implement it. Notably the EU’s own identity
verification wallet requires this, in stark contrast to their own laws and
policies, despite the protest of hundreds on Github. 4. And finally, the
mandatory implementation of developer verification across Android systems. Yes,
if you’re running a 3rd-party OS like GOS you won’t be directly affected by
this, but it will impact 99.9% of devices, and I foresee many open source
developers just opting out of developing apps for Android entirely as a result.
We’ve already seen SyncThing simply discontinue development
[https://forum.syncthing.net/t/discontinuing-syncthing-android/23002] for this
reason, citing issues with Google Play Store. They’ve also repeatedly denied
updates for NextCloud with no explanation, only restoring it after mass outcry.
And we’ve already seen Google targeting any software intended to circumvent ads,
labeling them in the system as “dangerous” and “untrusted”. This will most
certainly carry into their new “verification” system. Google once competed with
Apple for customers. But in a world where Google walks away from the biggest
antitrust trial since 1998 with yet another slap on the wrist, competition is
dead, and Google is taking notes from Apple about what they can legally get away
with. Android as we know it is dead. And/or will be dead very soon. We need an
open replacement.

Hacker News is a community-driven platform for sharing and discussing technology news, startups, and programming-related topics. Through user submissions and comments, Hacker News offers insights into emerging technology trends, industry developments, and entrepreneurial ventures. Readers can participate in discussions, share their insights, and stay informed about the latest advancements in technology and innovation.

Hacker News

Google is rapidly closing Android's open ecosystem through AOSP component privatization, manufacturer bootloader restrictions, Play Integrity API enforcement, and mandatory developer verification. Major manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus have removed bootloader unlocking options, while Google targets ad-blocking software and forces app store compliance. This trend mirrors Apple's closed approach and threatens the viability of custom ROMs and open-source Android alternatives. The author argues that Linux mobile development needs acceleration as Android's openness disappears, despite current Linux phones lacking polish and features compared to mainstream smartphones.

Linux phones are more important now than ever.

If there is money to be made from investing time and resources on a Linux phone. It will be done sooner than later.
This message needs to be amplified.

At this rate, Linux phones won’t need to catch up. They’ll just wait for Android to lock itself out of relevance.

It will be a few years before non-compatible, bootloader unlockable handsets disappear from the market. Until then I prefer GrapheneOS on Pixels.
Perhaps crypto/defi-focused phones will be the way forward, but they too will have to move beyond Android.

If people care about privacy more, manufacturers won’t be able to done this, all phone like iphone and other non-root android able to spy your everything.

i this is true than it will not be a desktop it will progugly by a modified gui this wold by a distro as linux is a famly of distros