I Installed Native Linux on my Phone — KDE Plasma Mobile (Android Apps, Docker, VS Code)
53,145 views Feb 8, 2026
I installed native Linux on my phone and ran KDE Plasma Mobile on postmarketOS.
In this video, I test calling, Waydroid (WhatsApp + Angry Birds), GPU acceleration, Docker, VS Code with a real Python PPG workload, thermals, battery behavior, and the current limitations.
This is not a surface-level review.
This is a real-world technical evaluation.
What’s Covered
• Native Linux on phone (postmarketOS)
• KDE Plasma Mobile usability
• Idle RAM usage (~30%)
• Flathub & Flatpak ecosystem
• LocalSend file sharing
• Docking mode (desktop-style multitasking)
• Docker installation via apk
• VS Code on musl using Flatpak runtime
• Running full Python PPG analysis locally
• Waydroid (vanilla) setup with WhatsApp
• GPU acceleration test (Angry Birds)
• Thermals after ~35 minutes of load
• Camera status (currently broken — workaround testing)
• Overnight battery comparison (Linux vs Android)
Timestamps
0:00 – Intro
0:44 – Calling test
1:00 – Usability & gestures
1:44 – RAM usage
2:02 – Flathub & Flatpak
2:48 – File Sharing
3:12 – Docking mode
3:47 – Docker install
4:03 – VS Code + Python PPG project
5:06 – Waydroid + WhatsApp setup
5:52 – GPU acceleration test
6:28 – Battery comparison
7:08 – Camera status
7:40 – Final verdict
Related Videos
If you're interested in other mobile Linux experiments:
• How to install postmarketOS:
• Running Native Linux KDE Plasma on Android...
• Ubuntu Touch deep test:
• I Installed Ubuntu Touch on My Phone in 20...
• Phosh on postmarketOS:
• I Installed Native Linux on Phone (So Shou...
• Triple boot Android + Linux + Recovery:
• Android, Linux & Windows on One Phone — Na...
Notes
Waydroid (vanilla version) does not support Firebase push notifications.
Banking apps requiring Play Integrity will not work.
Camera support is currently unstable on this device. I am testing a workaround and will update the description if it becomes usable.
This device is 5 years old, so battery comparison reflects aged battery health.
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9DR7KLuDhs
0


Taylor The Fiend
AgentofSocialMediaChaos
Coach_Corey_Wayne
Gabriel Al Romaani
Free Agent Lifestyle
Manosphere Podcast
NerokeFive
Thinking Ape
REDPILLMARRIED
Wheat Waffles
RedKnight
Playing With Fire
Manosphere Highlights Daily
Better Bachelor


Log in to comment
Nice job.
This is awesome. I'm a huge fan of KDE desktop environment. I want to try KDE mobile on a device but checked the device support, found they are all older. I hope they move to newer devices.
I am kind of keen on the idea of removing the JEW-GLE OS completely and replacing it with Linux...
BUT - most of this requires.... well first off the threats of removing Android, and fucking it up, bricks the phone....
Oh noes... didn't purchase a phone..... We purchased a LICENSE..... to use their phone....
Did anyone mention the antics of Microslop... and their licensing crap?