How I ditched smartphones

[FranklyFlawless (Frank Lý)]

@jarvis

For example? What the worst can happen for user?

In short, going back to the duopoly due to an impractical/unusable workflow.

[Archer]

@U53R

In the future, I will purchase a phone that runs entirely on Linux for the convenience of working with applications.

Android allready runs on Linux™.
What is the benefit off replacing the Android userspace with a probably lotless secure and less for mobile optimized “Linux mobile” userspace?

[deimos]

Much like the OP, I gave up on phones altogether.

The demise of DivestOS spurred me to make the change. I, too, use a MUDI v2 with a prepaid esim for internet access on the go. I use a MNT pocket reform for all mobile computing needs. I migrated my old phone numbers to VOIP providers. From the outside perspective, no one knows anything changed. I use wired headphones because bluetooth is in insecure abomination.

With a phone, I only used apps available in f-droid/izzydroid/etc free software repos to start. I don’t miss any of them.

I really would like postmarketOS to move along and be usable for a daily driver, but I found it is not there yet.

I bought a cheap portable camera so I can take pictures when needed. And I’m pondering a pair of XReal AR glasses to get a “bigger screen” when on the road. I really would like an open hardware version of these glasses.

Zero big tech. Zero f*cks given. It just works. It is an adjustment, but after a week it all feels normal. Often, I just go out without any tech. It’s complete freedom.

[jarvis]

@deimos

Zero big tech. Zero f*cks given. It just works. It is an adjustment, but after a week it all feels normal. Often, I just go out without any tech. It’s complete freedom.

Yeah. I wanna go like it. For number maybe indeed VOIP? Or use only Signal registered on that sim inside router?

I love linux for freedom. I am ok to configure more things by hands, but it will be MINE config without walls or restrictions…

[kissu]

@deimos

a MNT pocket reform

Never heard of that one, quite badass^[1]!

@deimos

ike postmarketOS

same, never heard of that one but it’s quite nice

@deimos

pair of XReal AR glasses

Is this running FOSS? Would be quite surprising but hey, why not if it does.

@deimos

Often, I just go out without any tech. It’s complete freedom.

Agreed.

---

1. yet expensive ↩︎

[deimos]

@kissu

Is this running FOSS? Would be quite surprising but hey, why not if it does.

Unfortunately, they are not FOSS. But having tried a pair from a friend, they do not require any software. They appear as a displayport monitor over usb-c to linux.

[autfernandez1987 (Autumn Fernandez)]

Thanks (all) for sharing your experiences. I will definitely have a look at the SMS tips and tricks. During the last couple of years, I’ve been removing more and more apps from my smart phone, and as part of that process I too have used Waydroid for trivial matters (e.g. for playing WordFeud with a handful of friends). I also bought a digital camera and an mp3 player (Amazon doesn’t seem to sell it anymore, but it’s surprisingly convenient: Amazon.com: AGPTEK 64GB MP3 Player with Bluetooth, 2.3'' Horizontal Screen Classic Multifunctional Music Player with Speaker, FM Radio, Model: A52, Black : Electronics). Regarding Pine: I bought the Braveheart edition at some point, and I did have some issues with it (for example, I was never able to call and receive calls). I’ve tried a bunch of mobile OS’s and the one I liked most (primarily because of its performance) was UB Ports. But as you can tell, it never became my default driver. I’m not sure if there’s already a decent alternative available.

[kissu]

@autfernandez1987

an mp3 player (Amazon doesn’t seem to sell it anymore, but it’s surprisingly convenient

I myself bought this

Fiio Snowsky Disc DAP arrives with Hi-Res Audio and balanced headphone support

Looks like no BS tech that is still modern, cute and does what we ask it for and nothing else

[FranklyFlawless (Frank Lý)]

@autfernandez1987

Regarding Pine: I bought the Braveheart edition at some point, and I did have some issues with it (for example, I was never able to call and receive calls). I’ve tried a bunch of mobile OS’s and the one I liked most (primarily because of its performance) was UB Ports. But as you can tell, it never became my default driver. I’m not sure if there’s already a decent alternative available.

I was using PureOS “Byzantium” on a Librem 5 USA as my sole daily driver for many years, but due to lack of updates from Purism, I eventually reflashed to Mobian stable, acquired a Motorola Moto G (2024) using CalyxOS, then migrated everything over to a Google Pixel 8 Pro using GrapheneOS. Before all of that, I was using a Alcatel Go Flip 3 with KaiOS. The only other mobile Linux distribution I considered with the Librem 5 USA but ultimately did not use was postmarketOS.

If you still want to stay in the mobile Linux ecosystem, I was quite satisfied with Mobian stable. My most used Flatpak applications were Lollypop and Shortwave, and I basically used the Librem 5 USA in Lockdown Mode as a music player. Even though 4G calls worked fine, I preferred user-empowered hardware isolation over involuntary connection, so for nearly all of the time I had the Librem 5 USA, I prevented anyone from contacting me over cellular or Wi-Fi networks under any circumstances.

Despite my experience, your mileage will vary, and everyone has different threat models, use cases and workflows. The Librem 5 USA accumulated many hardware issues over the years and my perspective of mobile Linux significantly changed throughout that time. Even if devices supporting mobile Linux are usable for now, there are many plaguing issues that remain unaddressed, and attempting to explain them thoroughly in this topic will significantly derail it.

[autfernandez1987 (Autumn Fernandez)]

That sounds like an even better option, if only since it’s linux based instead of Windows based like mine .

[Colter]

@deimos

because bluetooth is in insecure abomination.

Source?

[kissu]

WhisperPair - Hijacking Bluetooth Accessories Using Google Fast Pair

Quite a scary and easy vulnerability to exploit. Google Fast Pair enables one-tap pairing and account synchronisation across supported Bluetooth accessories. While Fast Pair has been adopted by many popular consumer brands, we discovered that many flagship products have not implemented Fast Pair correctly, introducing a flaw that allows an attacker to hijack devices and track victims using Google’s Find Hub network. We introduce WhisperPair, a family of practical attacks that leverages a fl…

[deimos]

@Colter

Source?

Let’s begin with these:

1. Bluetooth CVEs and Security Vulnerabilities - OpenCVE
2. Expand wider to implementations in operating systems, CVEs and Security Vulnerabilities - OpenCVE
3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexvakulov/2025/02/20/11-types-of-bluetooth-attacks-and-how-to-protect-your-devices/
4. Or a deep dive into some of the vulns, VULNERABILITIES IN BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY AND HOW THEY CAN BE LEVERAGED TO CAUSE HARM – Tech for Humanity Lab

That list should get you started.

I’ll go one further and say that no RF-based comms can be secure. Where RF is radio frequency.

For some starter evidence:

1. 5 Wi-Fi vulnerabilities you need to know about | Network World
2. Wireless CVEs Surge in 2024: What Enterprises Must Know

Happy reading. There’s a reason secure facilities don’t allow any RF at all and they shield the heck out of everything (Sensitive compartmented information facility - Wikipedia). Read those directives and rules to learn how actual all-encompassing security works.

And just because I’m paranoid, doesn’t mean it isn’t true, AI can snoop on your computer screen using signals leaking from HDMI cables — researchers develop new AI model that enables using antennas for long-range attacks | Tom's Hardware

And now back on topic.

[iluvprivacy]

I agree and I was just about to ask this! Most people want the best possible range from their WiFi router/access point. I actually want less range. That’s why I’ve been thinking about travel routers. They naturally don’t have a lot of range due to their design, but is there a way to lower the power transmission even more so that there is only coverage within the bedroom?

Without spending a fortune to renovate my bedroom/office with RF shielding, what is a cost effective way to limit radio signals to within the room?

My apartment has every room wired with Ethernet. The plan is to use an OpenWRT router and provide a main network for the rest of the apartment. My bedroom is where I’ll harden the setup for an even more secure connection to the internet. The people in the other parts of my apartment or the adjacent apartments will have a difficult time accessing the small private network due to physics and other obstructions I have created. Is this a good idea or not?

[Colter]

@deimos

Let’s begin with these:

1. Bluetooth CVEs and Security Vulnerabilities - OpenCVE
2. Expand wider to implementations in operating systems, CVEs and Security Vulnerabilities - OpenCVE
3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexvakulov/2025/02/20/11-types-of-bluetooth-attacks-and-how-to-protect-your-devices/
4. Or a deep dive into some of the vulns, VULNERABILITIES IN BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY AND HOW THEY CAN BE LEVERAGED TO CAUSE HARM – Tech for Humanity Lab

Aren’t these all Zero Day Exploits that are only relevant if you don’t update your system or a very high priority target?

@deimos

I’ll go one further and say that no RF-based comms can be secure. Where RF is radio frequency.

You can say that but the 0,001% (on up to date secure systems) risks of getting hacked by such things doesn’t justify to don’t have a phone.

@deimos

There’s a reason secure facilities don’t allow any RF at all and they shield the heck out of everything (Sensitive compartmented information facility - Wikipedia). Read those directives and rules to learn how actual all-encompassing security works.

I don’t thing that it’s reasonable to try to act like you where a high security facility.

[fria]

@Colter

Aren’t these all Zero Day Exploits that are only relevant if you don’t update your system or a very high priority target?

It’s worth noting there’s a bit of a barrier for updates with Bluetooth since you have to update the accessories as well not just your phone or whatever. A lot of manufacturers just don’t provide updates or you have to use some app which no one usually does. The only exceptions are AirPods on Apple devices and Pixel Buds on a Google Pixel since they’ll update the firmware automatically.

[Colter]

@fria

It’s worth noting there’s a bit of a barrier for updates with Bluetooth since you have to update the accessories as well not just your phone or whatever. A lot of manufacturers just don’t provide updates or you have to use some app which no one usually does. The only exceptions are AirPods on Apple devices and Pixel Buds on a Google Pixel since they’ll update the firmware automatically.

Shouldn’t Bluetooth be build in a way that its doesnt matter which Firmware runs on the accessoires?

If you depend on them they could also have malicious firmware and attack the device intentionally

[fria]

The reality is that the firmware has vulnerabilities and needs to be updated to fix them. There’s scant few options that will do that for you automatically. A lot of the privacy and security features in Bluetooth like MAC randomization are optional and it’s tough to find info on if a specific device supports them.

A recent example:

WhisperPair: Hijacking Bluetooth Accessories Using Google Fast Pair

[Julie]

Wifi in the 6 GHz has the less range compare to 2.4 and 5.x.

[iluvprivacy]

Indeed. I wonder why this hasn’t been mentioned more often as a mitigation technique. Any way to force WiFi to only connect to 6GHz? All my hardware supports it.