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Tag: ownphone

OwnPhone now also with Ubuntu Touch: two operating systems on one privacy-focused smartphone

Posted on by Ed

More and more people want to break free from the grip of Big Tech but find the step to a privacy smartphone daunting. Understandable. You do want control over what happens to your data but with the ease of use you are used to.

That is exactly why you can now use OwnPhone with two operating systems: YOS and Ubuntu Touch. With Ubuntu Touch you get an environment that in daily use feels very similar to what you already know while YOS is designed to minimise distraction and give you maximum control over your data. Everyday things like calling, email and browsing already work well in Ubuntu Touch. For banking apps, DigiD and authenticator apps you currently still use the other operating system YOS. Because both systems run on a single device you can take your time to get used to it and gradually discover what works best for you.

Because both systems run on a single device you can take your time to get used to it and gradually discover what works best for you.

What is Ubuntu Touch?

Ubuntu Touch is an open source operating system for smartphones. It is based on Ubuntu Linux and developed by the UBports Foundation: a global, active community of developers and users.

UBports describes itself as “a global non-profit dedicated to putting you in control of the future of the mobile for the public good.”

In plain language this means they are building a mobile operating system that is not driven by shareholders or advertising revenue but by the idea that you should be back in control of your phone and your data. Everything they create is open source and intended for the public good, not for maximising profit.

The interface works with app icons and edge swipes from the sides of the screen. As a result it quickly feels familiar if you have been using an Android or iOS phone for years. You get standard apps for calling, messaging, browsing, calendar and photos plus an app store with additional apps.

YOS and Ubuntu Touch together on one OwnPhone

With the new multiboot feature you can now use OwnPhone in two “modes” so to speak.

  • YOS: our own operating system, designed for maximum digital autonomy and as little dependence on big tech companies as possible
  • Ubuntu Touch: an open source system that in terms of operation comes very close to what you already know but with privacy and control as the starting point

When you start your OwnPhone you choose which system you want to use. You do not have to choose either one or the other: you have both systems in your pocket.

What does Ubuntu Touch feel like in daily use?

When you start Ubuntu Touch for the first time you see a clear, calm screen with familiar elements.

  • A home screen with apps you recognise immediately
  • Edge swipes from the sides for multitasking and quickly switching between apps
  • An app store with a growing range of apps

In practice this means you do not have to learn how to use a smartphone all over again. You mainly discover that it can be done without all those preinstalled services that track and analyse your behaviour.

What can and can’t you do with Ubuntu Touch?

It is important to be honest about what Ubuntu Touch can and cannot do at this moment. Ubuntu Touch is a project in development. Many things already work very well but not everything is available yet in the way you may be used to on Android or iOS.

These are things you can already do very well with Ubuntu Touch on OwnPhone

  • Make and receive calls
  • Manage contacts and send SMS messages
  • Browse the internet
  • Use email and your calendar
  • Try various other apps from the app store

At the moment there are also limitations. Important examples

  • Banking apps do not work in Ubuntu Touch
  • DigiD does not work in Ubuntu Touch
  • Authenticator apps and similar apps for two factor authentication do not or not yet work in Ubuntu Touch
  • The number of apps is smaller than you are used to
  • Not every popular app is available

For these kinds of use cases it is better for now to keep using YOS. The community continues to develop Ubuntu Touch so there is a real chance that more will become possible in the future. As soon as there are important changes we will inform our users.

Right now Ubuntu Touch is especially suitable for exploring what it is like to use a smartphone environment with privacy as the starting point for your daily communication, browsing and other apps that are already well supported.

Who is this combination for?

The combination of YOS and Ubuntu Touch is especially interesting if you

  • want a privacy-focused smartphone but find the switch a bit daunting
  • want to decide for yourself which services you do and do not use
  • want to experiment with open source technology without giving up your existing habits all at once
  • want to work step by step towards true digital autonomy

Safely trying and experimenting

With OwnPhone you do not have to take a leap into the deep end. You can switch between the two systems at any time by restarting your phone. This allows you to safely discover which operating system best matches your preferences.

And if, for example, you prefer to use Ubuntu Touch most of the time but occasionally need an app from your bank or an authenticator, you simply switch to the YOS operating system.

In this way you create your optimal digital environment on your smartphone at your own pace.

Want to see how this works in practice?

We have created an English video that shows step by step how to install Ubuntu Touch alongside YOS on OwnPhone. You will see exactly

  • which preparations you should make
  • how the installation works
  • how you then choose between YOS and Ubuntu Touch when starting up

You can find the video in our online community:
 https://community.yourdata.network/t/setup-multi-boot-install-linux-ubuntu-touch/177

Curious to learn more about OwnPhone?

On the OwnPhone product page you can read more about the phone, the specifications and how OwnPhone together with YOS and Ubuntu Touch helps you become the owner of your digital life again.

Which apps work on the OwnPhone? Find out here

Posted on by Ed

“Sounds great, a privacy-friendly phone… but can I still use my trusted apps?”

That’s a question we hear a lot and rightfully so. Because if you’re switching to a privacy-first smartphone, you want to be sure it still lets you do the things that matter to you. Like using the apps you rely on every day.

So: which apps work? Which don’t? Where can you download them? And why is the OwnPhone much more than just another phone?

OwnPhone: Built from a radically different starting point

The OwnPhone isn’t a variation of existing smartphones. It’s built from a radically different starting point. While most phones are designed to grab your attention and collect your data in the background, the OwnPhone has only one goal: to give you control over your personal data, your usage, and your attention.

You use the phone for your needs. Without tracking. Without hidden data collection. And without unnecessary distractions.

The operating system is open-source, free from Google or Apple, and developed according to privacy-compliant European standards. You decide whether your files and photos stay on your phone or are stored securely on the decentralized internet of ThreeFold. In that case, your data is available in your personal cloud: a private Nextcloud environment only you can access.

Most apps work just fine

If you’re switching to the OwnPhone, you’ll want to know whether your current apps will still work. The short answer: yes, in most cases they do. Messaging, banking, navigation, government services, they all run smoothly.

Common apps that work on the OwnPhone:

  • Messaging: WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Outlook
  • Navigation: Google Maps, Waze, Organic Maps
  • Banking: Rabobank, ING, ASN, Bunq
  • Government: DigiD, NS
  • Media: Spotify, Netflix
  • Authentication: Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Aegis, 2FAS
  • Tools: Firefox, Brave, ProtonMail, Nextcloud

Some apps may not work right away, especially those heavily dependent on Google services or specific security layers. But even then, there’s often a solution. You’ll find tips, workarounds, and support in our user community.

There are also a few apps that unfortunately don’t work at all, apps that are fully locked into Google Play Services, like ChatGPT, Android Auto, or YouTube. Luckily, there are privacy-friendly alternatives for most of them.

⚠️ Note: Apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, or Gmail collect massive amounts of personal data. Whether you continue using them is your decision, but we warmly invite you to explore more privacy-conscious alternatives.

Discover alternatives in the F-Droid App Store

The OwnPhone comes pre-installed with two app stores: Aurora Store and F-Droid.

  • F-Droid only contains open-source, privacy-friendly apps. Think of Signal, Organic Maps, Simple Calendar, Tasks, and more.
  • Aurora Store gives you access to (almost) all apps from the Google Play Store — but without Google knowing who you are.

You don’t need to create any accounts. Just open the store, search for your app, tap “install” — done.

Micro-G: Essential for many apps

Many apps – like banking, government services or navigation – are built on top of Google Play Services. That’s a bundle of background services most Android phones rely on, including location tracking, push notifications, sync tools, and account connections. You usually don’t notice it, but a lot of apps won’t work without it.

On the OwnPhone, these Google services have been intentionally removed to protect your privacy. Instead, Micro‑G is installed by default.

Micro‑G is an open-source alternative to Google Play Services. It mimics the core functionality that many apps depend on, allowing them to function normally, but without sending any data to Google. Thanks to Micro‑G, apps like Rabobank, DigiD, NS, and WhatsApp work perfectly fine on the OwnPhone.

You set the pace, without giving up convenience

The beauty of the OwnPhone is that you don’t have to change all your habits overnight. You can use your phone just like you always have. Most apps work. Everything your current phone can do, this one can too.

As long as the apps that matter to you still work (and chances are high they do), there’s really no reason not to switch. From there, you decide how far you want to go. Still using WhatsApp because of your kids’ class group? That’s fine, it works. At the same time, you can already start exploring privacy-friendly alternatives.

Of course, switching phones takes a bit of effort. But we’re here to help. From transferring your contacts to importing your calendar, our community offers step-by-step guides and helpful tools.

We’ve got your back, so you can take ownership of your data, without sacrificing ease of use.

Try it for yourself

Want to learn more about the OwnPhone or order one right away?
Visit www.yourdata.network/ownphone

Or sign up for a free live webinar where we explain everything about the OwnPhone and the decentralized internet. Check the schedule at www.yourdata.network or our webinar page