Ubuntu Touch is the privacy and freedom-respecting mobile operating system by UBports. Today we are happy to announce the release of Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0, the first Ubuntu Touch release based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0 will become available for the following supported Ubuntu Touch devices:
* Fairphone 5 (new in this release)
* Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL
* JingPad A1
* Lenovo Tab M10 HD 2nd Gen WiFi / LTE
* Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro/Pro Max/9S
What's new?
Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0 is the first release of Ubuntu Touch which is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, a major upgrade from Ubuntu 20.04. This might not be as big compared to our last upgrade from Ubuntu 16.04 to 20.04, but this still brings newer software stack to Ubuntu Touch (such as Qt 5.15).
While most of the work done in this release is dedicated to making sure all of our Ubuntu Touch components work on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, we have a number of exciting features available in Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0.
New Ubuntu Touch logos to go with the new Ubuntu Circle-of-Friends (CoF)
As we're now based on Ubuntu 24.04, it's only appropriate that we also update our Ubuntu Touch logos in various of places to also have the the new Ubuntu CoF. In particular, the new Ubuntu Touch logo has been made and voted on by our community members. This is a refreshing change, given that the last time we update Ubuntu Touch logo is almost 8 years ago.
Light mode for the shell
In Ubuntu Touch 20.04 OTA-4, we've added a built-in way to switch theme of applications. In Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0, this functionality is extended to the shell component as well. So if you prefer the light mode for your environment, now you have a choice. To access it, go to System Settings > Background & Appearance.
In addition, we've partially implemented theme live-switching as well. However this is still experimental and might not work properly in some applications (notably, this causes breakage in Teleports). Closing and re-opening application will fix the issue. We're working to fix this issue in the future.
Credit goes to Alfred Neumayer (@fredldotme).
Experimental support for personal data encryption
Ubuntu Touch now contains an experimental support for encrypting personal data on the device. This adds an additional layer of protection in case the device is stolen.
Once enabled, your data will be encrypted using your passcode or passphrase. On boot, your device will enter a minimal UI where you'll be prompted your passcode or passphrase. Once your passcode or passphrase is entered, your device will open encrypted personal data and start the rest of the system.
This feature has to be enabled per-device. To check whether this feature is enabled, go to System Settings > Security & Privacy and see if "Encryption (Experimental)" is available.
Credit goes to Alfred Neumayer (@fredldotme).
New layout for the Phone app, designed for bigger screens
The Phone app was originally designed for a smaller phone screen you might encounter in, say, 2015. Nowadays, phone screens has grown up in size. In Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0, the Phone app receives a new look, designed for larger phones and landscape orientation.
Credit goes to Kugi Eusebio (@kugiigi1)
The new USB mode setting, including support for internet sharing
You can now switch your USB connection between modes. This allows you to switch between charging only, file transfer, and USB tethering (internet sharing over USB cable). To access, go to System Settings > USB.
Credit goes to Muhammad (@muhammad23012009).
Other notable changes
- When orientation is locked, there's now a rotate button for 1-time rotation.
- Bluetooth settings now shows MAC address of the device
- On-screen keyboard will have auto-capitalization, auto-correction and auto punctuation disabled by default.
- For convergence users, there's a number of improvements to "Workspace" feature.
- You can press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Left/Right/Up/Down to move apps between workspaces.
- If workspace is enabled, closing the last app in the spread no longer closes the spread.
- When connecting to a wireless display, you can now disconnect from the display from the virtual touchpad.
- Contacts app no longer flashes initial while the contact's avatar is being loaded.
- System Settings > About page is renamed to System Information to better reflect what the page is about.
- System Settings > System Information page now hides the phone's IMEI by default to improve privacy.
- You can manually re-scan nearby Bluetooth devices in System Settings > Bluetooth.
- You can choose whether to show calendar, week numbers, events and alarms in the Time and Date indicator menu.
- You can now set default calendar reminder sound from System Settings > Sound.
- System Settings -> Wi-Fi page now shows additional information for connected network.
Known issues
As with any software, there are some known issues that we're unable to solve in time for the release of Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0. We include some of the them here so you don't need to spend time reporting these bugs again.
- If you have a large number of applications installed (say, more than 30 apps), the first boot after the upgrade can take longer than usual before the Ubuntu Touch logo appears. This is due to a configuration regeneration that happens at early boot. Subsequent boots will take a shorter time. (click-apparmor#2)
- Due to internal rename, when attempting to share a link or a text, a phantom entry for Messaging app might appear as "messaging-app". The correct entry will be simply called "Messaging" with the corresponding icon. (ubuntu-touch#2260)
- External Storage app's "Eject" button might always say "device busy", preventing you from safely removing your storage. (ubuntu-touch#2259)
- It's known that fingerprint sensor on Fairphone 5 does not always work. It's unclear when this might happen. This might manifest itself as keyboard for the login password prompt jumps up and down very rapidly; this is due to Lomiri repeatedly getting error from fingerprint sensor.
How to get Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0
Existing Ubuntu Touch users
Existing Ubuntu Touch users will have to upgrade in 2 steps; first to 20.04 OTA-10, then to 24.04-1.0. This is because Ubuntu Touch 20.04 OTA-10 contains necessary changes for a device to receive Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0.
To upgrade your phone to Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0, do the following steps:
- Go to System Settings > Update.
- Install any available update for applications and Ubuntu Touch.
- Once your phone is up-to-date, go to System Settings > Update again. This time, you'll be prompted to upgrade to Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0.
- Press "Upgrade". Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0 will start downloading.
- Once downloaded, press "Install" to start installation. The phone will reboot to install the update, and will reboot again to boot into newly-installed Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0.
Due to a known issue, the first boot after installing Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0 can stall at the device's manufacturer logo for up to 10-20 minutes (depending on the amount of applications installed). Please be patient; subsequent boots will take a normal amount of time.
New Ubuntu Touch users
You will find instructions for installing Ubuntu Touch on your device at https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io.
"I found an issue!"
Have you found a bug? We want to know! Quickly!
You can follow our Bug Reporting document to learn how to present the information we'll need to confirm and fix your issue. Every bit helps. The best way to improve Ubuntu Touch is to use it and then tell us about the experience.
You should always check to see whether your bug has already been reported, from now on at ubuntu-touch issue inbox on Gitlab. Browsing open bugs is worth doing, even if you have nothing to report. This ensures that you can watch for any of the open issues and help fix them by providing more information.