Sailfish OS
Linux-based mobile operating system from Jolla, with an optional Android app compatibility layer.
Long-time users like it as a workable daily driver1234 that works as a real Linux system in your pocket56, with an Android layer that runs many apps, including banking apps.789 The most common complaints are limited hardware support10111213 and gaps in Android app compatibility, such as missing Bluetooth passthrough and raw BLE.141516
Why people recommend it
Long-term daily driver · 3
Several commenters have used it as their main phone OS for years, some since 2013 or 2014.
“I have been using Sailfish OS from Jolla since 2013 on my main phone.”
“I love the UI, the spirit, the platform, and the community”
Show 1 more
“But still for me the clear winner of these three.”
Android app support · 3
The Android layer runs many apps, and more banking apps work than commenters expected.
“SailfishOS can run lots of banking apps with an Android emulation layer.”
“I was surprised on how many actually work.”
Show 1 more
“But still for me the clear winner of these three.”
Linux in pocket · 2
Users can ssh in, use rsync, vim and cron, or set up dnsmasq ad-blocking and firewall rules.
“But still for me the clear winner of these three.”
“Unfortunately, the Sailfish UI itself feels "different for the sake of different"”
UI and community · 3
Some fans love the UI, the platform and the community, and say the core OS itself is great.
“I love the UI, the spirit, the platform, and the community”
“I vibed with Sailfish so hard.”
Show 1 more
“I wouldnt recommend it.”
Duopoly alternative · 2
Recommended as an alternative to Google and Apple phones.
“You do have an alternative to both Google and Apple, which gives you the best of both worlds - it's called the Sailfish mobile OS”
“SailfishOS, Ubuntu Touch, and Nura seem to be good contenders”
Caveats and dissent
Limited hardware · 3
Few devices are supported, and some supported phones have stopped working on US networks after the switch to VoLTE.
“I really wish SailfishOS supported more hardware. I love sony phones”
“Ah, SailfishOS; the zombie of mobile device OS. Even longtime supporters (endusers) turned away b/c of little supported HW.”
Show 1 more
“I vibed with Sailfish so hard.”
App compatibility gaps · 3
The Android layer lacks Bluetooth passthrough and raw BLE, struggles with heavier apps, and native apps are basic.
“I wouldnt recommend it.”
“I am not a fan anymore I used it for over a year on a XPERIA XA2. It's usable but barely so.”
Show 1 more
“I love the UI, the spirit, the platform, and the community”
Divisive UI · 3
Some find the UI ugly, hard to navigate, or a mix of intuitive and awkward.
“Unfortunately, the Sailfish UI itself feels "different for the sake of different"”
“I am not a fan anymore I used it for over a year on a XPERIA XA2. It's usable but barely so.”
Show 1 more
“got tired of the interface and apps mediocrity”
Partly proprietary · 3
Critics note its UI and application layer are largely closed source.
“SailfishOS drastically reduces privacy, security, usability, battery life and app compatibility compared to simply using AOSP.”
“it's fully open source and not whatever SailfishOS is”
Show 1 more
“My impression was that this platform was only becoming less and less viable.”
Security concerns · 2
One former user said its encryption used the numeric unlock PIN as the key, and another critic says it is weaker than AOSP on privacy and security.
“encryption" for them was using Luks with the numeric unlock pin as encryption key (which most people sets to 4 digits).”
“SailfishOS drastically reduces privacy, security, usability, battery life and app compatibility compared to simply using AOSP.”
Regional availability · 2
Devices and paid licenses are limited to certain regions, such as the EU or Western countries.
“are also pretty good daily drivers”
“I switched to Sailfish OS. A lot of rough edges, but it can can be workable”
Often compared with
2 moved from Sailfish OS to GrapheneOS
1 moved from Android to Sailfish OSMeeGo3 comments mention both
1 moved from MeeGo to Sailfish OSiOS4 comments mention bothUbuntu Touch3 comments mention both
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- SailfishOS: A Linux-based European alternative to dominant mobile OSes 7 mentions
- Jolla on track to ship new phone with Sailfish OS, user-replaceable battery 3 mentions
- A new Android malware from Google 2 mentions
- Jolla Phone Pre-Order 2 mentions
- Your Phone Is About to Stop Being Yours: 70 Days Until Lockdown 1 mention
- Will Linux phones become a viable alternative to the Android/iOS duopoly? 1 mention
Also written as SailfishOS. Data: sailfish-os.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 27
“SailfishOS, Ubuntu Touch, and Nura seem to be good contenders”
“I have been using Sailfish OS from Jolla since 2013 on my main phone.”
“SailfishOS drastically reduces privacy, security, usability, battery life and app compatibility compared to simply using AOSP.”
“are also pretty good daily drivers”
“SailfishOS”
“I switched to Sailfish OS. A lot of rough edges, but it can can be workable”
“it's usable as a daily driver and, with a critical developer mass, it could get somewhere.”
“SailfishOS can run lots of banking apps with an Android emulation layer.”
“I really wish SailfishOS supported more hardware. I love sony phones”
“got tired of the interface and apps mediocrity”
“it's fully open source and not whatever SailfishOS is”
“Unfortunately, the Sailfish UI itself feels "different for the sake of different"”
“I vibed with Sailfish so hard.”
“I was surprised on how many actually work.”
“You do have an alternative to both Google and Apple, which gives you the best of both worlds - it's called the Sailfish mobile OS”
“I'm cautiously hopeful (though not particularly confident) about Jolla trying again with their new phone running SailfishOS.”
“SailfishOS 2014 - now”
“Take a look at Jolla and Sailfish OS.”
“I wouldnt recommend it.”
“they've been my go-to phone OS maker for the last 10-15 years”
“encryption" for them was using Luks with the numeric unlock pin as encryption key (which most people sets to 4 digits).”
“Ah, SailfishOS; the zombie of mobile device OS. Even longtime supporters (endusers) turned away b/c of little supported HW.”
“But still for me the clear winner of these three.”
“I love the UI, the spirit, the platform, and the community”
“I have been using Xperia 10 III as my main phone for years with Sailfish OS just fine.”
“My impression was that this platform was only becoming less and less viable.”
“I am not a fan anymore I used it for over a year on a XPERIA XA2. It's usable but barely so.”