Hello to all.
Recently I got the idea of regenerate my old phone in order to install a linux distro on this.
I've done numerous searches and can't find any linux distro compatible with my phone and before giving up I prefer to ask to someone.
The smartphone I am talking about is a xiaomi mi 8 lite, and until now I couldnt find any linux distro installable.
I wanted to install Ubuntu Touch but unfortunately this distro is avaiable for xiaomi mi 8 only and I am not so much skilled in porting Ubuntu touch for the lite version.
Every mobile linux distro you can suggest is ok, the important thing is that it can be installed.

Thank you

Hello, StJoey & welcome to LQ.

Drivers is the main issue. Have you tried Lineage OS?

Hello and thank you for helping.
Yup I did, I think my mobile is not supported. This is what can be deduced from reading this list https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/

Mi8 only is supported, but unfortunately i've the lite version (samething is with ubuntu touch, where mi8 is supported and mi8 lite not)

I repurposed my old blackberry phone as mp3 player and gps device.

Sometimes one has little to work with and must settle. It ran good till I killed it accidentally.
Kept a H20 sim card on it. Still worked as dumb phone also. Ran till it didn't.

Newer oboslete phones also can store and watch movies besides doing all of the above.
All of this comes in handy when on bicycle or motorcycle.

I'm trying to picture you laid back on some custom chopper with your feet up watching movies...

Are the roads THAT WIDE in Texas?

Sorry guys but cant get how this could help me ^^

Think the duo are trying to tell you to repurpose your old phone and buy something else?
My old Samsung S3 mini is used as a remote Wi-Fi viewer and remote shutter release for my NX-mini camera. It also serves for Navmii navigation maps and reads the output from my solar panels. No SIM card needed.
It looks so, so tiny now.

Bought Samsung S7 with e foundation ROM preinstalled - terrible.
Got my money back and bought a used Pixel 3a off eBay and then installed Graphene OS. Superb
It is still getting updated for system and apps well after EOL.

1 members found this post helpful.

You can get the latest lineageos-20 (android 13) for your phone code name platina. Search xda forum for xiaomi platina.

Just going by what you said. If lineage will run and you are happy. That is all that matters. Just thought to give you another way to look at your situation because of your statement.

Phone stays in my pocket when my hands are on the handlebars. Pull over when I need it.

I stand corrected

Just logged on quickly to offer some advice – I do not know your level of experience with custom phone ROMs or if privacy and security figure on your personal list of requirements?
Having said that – In case others follow this thread….

IMHO this is at best uninformed advice given that there are no privacy-security caveats.
Please do not feel alone with your efforts and predicament – even those fashionistas who pay exorbitant amounts for the latest phone or even last year’s model iconic brand can be wide open to security-privacy issues.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonk...e-ipad-update/

Guess we can leave iPhones to the fashionistas who queue around the block for the latest model as they are the MOST TARGETED by hackers and trackers in the consumer market.

However please be aware you are IMHO even more vulnerable with an AOSP unofficial unsupported custom ROM as…..
Warning: The Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite is no longer maintained. A build guide is available for developers that would like to make private builds, or even restart official support.
https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/platina/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/federic...-different-os/

Please be aware of microG as I found it impossible to turn off location with ePhone; resulting in a full refund.

My personal advice is to buy a Pixel phone and install Graphene-OS.

https://grapheneos.org/

Quote “The features page provides an overview of the substantial privacy and security improvements added by GrapheneOS to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Many of our past features were contributed to AOSP, Linux and other projects to improve privacy and security for billions of users so they're no longer listed on our features page.”

Yes that’s right - some GrapheneOS features are now standard in every Android phone and also Linux..!

If you need to buy pre-installed on a Pixel or want to judge it in the marketplace...
https://www.nitrokey.com/news/2021/n...android-planet

I installed GrapheneOS ROM myself on a used Pixel 3a bought through eBay about three years back. It is still getting regular System and App updates past EOL. See screenshots and link below.

Good luck with your project now that you have some understanding of security and privacy issues

https://imgur.com/a/QbtBpwJ link to updates

If you need more security-privacy - research the latest Titan and later Titan M2 chip in some phones which operate independent from the main processor.

https://www.androidcentral.com/what-...ecurity-module

Which then got redesigned….

https://www.androidcentral.com/how-d...rity-core-work

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If you happen to Have either a PinePhone or a PineOHone Pro you can install Mobian which is a fork of Debian aimed at low-powered devices like phones and such.

thanx for your Review this Help me alot in my Business.