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With the support of the UBports community.



Powered by multiple layers

Ubuntu Touch's foundation is based on different layers, each serving their own important purpose that make the system work well. Without these layers, Ubuntu Touch wouldn't be possible. Find out more about each layer by clicking on one.


Core Layer
Middle Layer
App Layer


The Foundation of Ubuntu Touch

The Core Layer is the foundation of Ubuntu Touch, and it consists of three essential components: hardware, firmware, and the kernel. These components work together to ensure the operating system can interact with the physical device seamlessly. 

Without The Core Layer, Ubuntu Touch wouldn't be able to function.



One codebase for all.

Before we get into the hardware specifics, it’s important to explain what we mean by architecture. In simple terms, it’s the type of processor or System-on-Chip (SoC) your device uses to run.

Right now, there are three main ways Ubuntu Touch can be installed:

  1. Android-based devices: These rely on HALium, a compatibility layer, to run Ubuntu Touch.
  2. ARM-based devices: These can boot Ubuntu Touch natively, without needing HALium.
  3. x86-based devices: You can install Ubuntu Touch on these just like you would on a regular desktop or laptop.

As a community, we want to encourage users and developers to work together to make Ubuntu Touch even better as more people adopt it. The more we grow, the more likely we’ll attract new users who can provide us with more user feedback, and hardware vendors who can offer mid to high-end devices running native Linux. This would open up the market for more powerful, Linux-based devices.

Our ultimate goal is to have one open-source codebase that works across all devices, no matter the form factor. We want this to happen without relying on proprietary software, and we’re aiming for hardware that’s built by and for the community.


Hardware

The hardware is everything physical that makes up your device. It includes the processor (CPU), memory, storage, sensors (like the camera and gyroscope), and connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular radios. The hardware forms the foundation upon which everything else is built. 

In Ubuntu Touch, it doesn’t just refer to the phone or tablet itself but also to the internal components, such as whether the device uses an ARM or x86 processor. These architectural differences are important because they determine how the software interacts with the device. Most mobile devices use ARM processors, while desktops and laptops often rely on x86 processors from Intel or AMD. New developments are constantly occurring however, with architectures like RISC-V becoming more and more viable.




Firmware

Firmware is the low-level software embedded in your device’s hardware. It controls essential hardware functions, such as booting up the system, managing power, and operating core components like cameras and sensors. Firmware is often proprietary, especially in Android-based devices, which can limit openness.

In Ubuntu Touch, the firmware allows the kernel to communicate with the hardware. For Android-based devices, HALium is sometimes required to bridge the gap between Android-specific firmware and the Linux kernel. However, as we look forward to the future with platforms like RISC-V, we aim to use open firmware solutions like Coreboot that give developers full control over the device, enhancing transparency, freedom and realizing our goal of having one codebase across all form factors, consistent across devices.

Kernel

The kernel is the core software that sits between the hardware and the operating system in Ubuntu Touch. It’s responsible for managing your device’s hardware, such as the processor, memory, and input/output devices, and ensuring they communicate effectively with the OS.

In Ubuntu Touch, the Linux kernel handles these tasks. On older Android devices, the kernel needs HALium to interact with Android-specific drivers. On newer devices, however, the kernel can communicate directly with the hardware, which improves efficiency and performance.

Without the kernel, Ubuntu Touch wouldn’t be able to run. It’s what allows the OS to manage and control the hardware, enabling features like networking, touch input, and sensor usage.

Kernel

The kernel is the core software that sits between the hardware and the operating system in Ubuntu Touch. It’s responsible for managing your device’s hardware, such as the processor, memory, and input/output devices, and ensuring they communicate effectively with the OS.

In Ubuntu Touch, the Linux kernel handles these tasks. On older Android devices, the kernel needs HALium to interact with Android-specific drivers. On newer devices, however, the kernel can communicate directly with the hardware, which improves efficiency and performance.

Without the kernel, Ubuntu Touch wouldn’t be able to run. It’s what allows the OS to manage and control the hardware, enabling features like networking, touch input, and sensor usage.

Not for the few, but for the many.

Ubuntu Touch comes with a set of applications pre-installed, designed to be intuitive and easy to use. Lomiri, our user interface, is designed with perfect usability in mind and its intuitive controls makes everyone instantly feel at home.

The Middle Layer

You can think of the Middle Layer as a vital bridge connecting the Core Layer with the App Layer. It manages all essential services to ensure seamless communication between the device’s hardware and software. From handling telephony and networking to managing power, sensors, audio, and even the Lomiri desktop environment, the Middle Layer keeps your device’s core functions running smoothly and efficiently. Without this layer, Ubuntu Touch wouldn’t just lose its unique converged experience—it wouldn’t function at all.

Middleware

The Middleware in Ubuntu Touch is the layer that manages the essential services connecting your device's hardware with the software running on top of it. It ensures that all critical functions, like phone calls, networking, and sensor management, are handled smoothly without requiring direct communication with the hardware.

In Ubuntu Touch, the Middleware enables features such as telephony, which manages voice calls and SMS, networking, which handles Wi-Fi and mobile data connections, and power management, ensuring efficient use of your device's battery. It also interacts with the device's sensors (like the gyroscope and accelerometer) to deliver key features like screen rotation and location services.

Phone Stack

The Phone Stack handles everything that makes your device, well, a phone. It’s what enables you to make calls, send text messages, and use mobile data. At its core, it ensures your device stays connected to cellular networks and communicates smoothly with the rest of the system.

The open-source framework oFono is what drives this layer, managing how your phone connects to the network, routes calls, and handles texts. It works behind the scenes so that when you dial a number or receive a message, everything just works without you having to think about it.

Lomiri

Lomiri is the user interface that makes Ubuntu Touch unique. It's designed to work seamlessly across different devices, whether you're using a phone, tablet, or even a desktop. This ability to adapt between form factors is what we call convergence—the idea that you can have the same experience no matter what device you're on.

Lomiri is built on the Qt framework, which allows the interface to remain lightweight, responsive, and adaptable. Whether you’re swiping through apps on your phone or connecting your device to a larger screen, Qt ensures everything runs smoothly without overloading the system.

Behind the scenes, Mir manages the display, handling window management and animations to keep everything looking sharp. Mir’s role is key in maintaining the fluidity and speed that make Lomiri feel polished, whether you're switching between apps or using your device in desktop mode.





Powered by the community.

Ubuntu Touch's heart and soul comes from the enthusiastic community who shares the same vision as Canonical originally did, to provide the best and most secure user experience compared to the traditional mobile operating systems. While the duopoly grinds away to squeeze the last bit of profit out of their users, the UBports community maintains the main tenants of free software.

Rest easy, no snooping here.

Developed as a free and open source project, Ubuntu Touch doesn't contain any hidden data collection algorithms and doesn't phone home to any remote servers belonging to corporations or data brokers. Don't believe us? No worries. When it comes to free software, the rules are very clear. Along with all the other freedoms, you have the freedom to study how the program works, so you can check for yourself. Your data is kept on your own device and nowhere else, unless you explicitly say otherwise.

The App Layer

The App Layer is where you interact with the apps that bring Ubuntu Touch to life. Whether you’re making calls, sending messages, browsing the web, or installing new apps, the App Layer is what provides all the functionality that users rely on. It’s designed to be lightweight, efficient, and adaptable across different device types, offering the same smooth experience no matter what screen you’re using.

The apps in this layer are built to work seamlessly with the rest of the Ubuntu Touch ecosystem, taking full advantage of features like convergence, which allows apps to adapt and scale whether you’re using a phone or connecting to a larger display.

Core Apps

Core Apps are the essential tools that come pre-installed with Ubuntu Touch. These include apps like the Dialer, Messages, Browser, Calendar, and Clock, each designed to cover everyday needs while staying lightweight and fast.

The core apps are built with usability in mind, offering the fundamental functions that make your device practical right out of the box. Every app is optimized for touch and built to integrate tightly with the Ubuntu Touch system, ensuring that the user experience feels cohesive and polished.




OpenStore

The OpenStore is where Ubuntu Touch truly shines in terms of flexibility and customization. It’s an open, community-driven platform that allows users to discover and install new apps, developed by people from around the world.

Unlike other app stores, the Open Store focuses on privacy and freedom. Apps are available for free, and there’s a strong emphasis on open-source software, meaning you can explore, modify, and share apps as you see fit. The Open Store is always evolving, thanks to the contributions of developers who create innovative apps that extend the functionality of Ubuntu Touch.

Convergence

One of the standout features of the App Layer in Ubuntu Touch is convergence. Apps aren’t just built for one device; they’re designed to adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes and input methods. This means that whether you’re using your phone as a phone, a tablet, or connecting it to a desktop display, the same apps will scale and adjust to provide an optimal experience.

With convergence, Ubuntu Touch bridges the gap between mobile and desktop computing. You can use the same app on a small screen with touch input, or on a large screen with a keyboard and mouse, without losing functionality. This flexibility makes Ubuntu Touch a versatile solution for users who want more from their device.