Ubuntu Touch, the ambitious mobile operating system developed by Canonical, was first released with high hopes of becoming a major player in the smartphone market. The original Ubuntu Phone 1.0, launched in 2013, was a highly experimental venture — more of a proof of concept than a fully polished product. Back then, Ubuntu Touch was something you could install on select Google Nexus devices, and it offered a glimpse of a future where Ubuntu could be the OS for both mobile and desktop computing. Despite its initial excitement and the community support behind it, Ubuntu Touch has not yet found its place in the market, and today, it’s more of a niche project with a small but dedicated following.

Ubuntu Touch: The Early Days and Growing Pains

When Ubuntu Touch first launched, it was a work in progress, as any early adopter would attest. The OS came with a glossy interface, a set of native apps, and an interesting multi-touch navigation system, but it was also full of gaps in functionality. It lacked basic features like copy-paste, spell-checking, and notifications. Apps were sparse, with no access to big-name services like WhatsApp or Instagram. Moreover, critical bugs, such as excessive CPU usage and poor battery performance, marred the overall experience.

Despite these issues, Canonical’s vision of a convergent operating system — one that could power both mobile phones and desktop PCs — was an exciting idea. The promise of an ecosystem where you could plug your phone into a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to use it as a full desktop system remained just that: a promise.

The Downfall of Ubuntu Touch

Over the years, Canonical struggled to get Ubuntu Touch off the ground. Although it gained a modest following, the lack of a broad app ecosystem and key features, combined with performance issues, made it difficult to compete with established mobile giants like Android and iOS. Eventually, Canonical pulled back from the project in 2017, ceasing its development as a consumer-facing OS and refocusing on other areas of business.

The story of Ubuntu Touch didn’t end there. A group of dedicated developers took up the mantle and continued to develop the OS under the project called UBports. The UBports community has kept the dream alive, updating and improving Ubuntu Touch, but it’s still very much a niche platform. While it’s available for several devices, the project’s resources are limited, and it has struggled to gain the mass adoption needed to challenge Android or iOS.

The State of Ubuntu Touch Today

Fast forward to today, and Ubuntu Touch is still a work in progress, but it’s far more stable and functional than it was in its early days. The core system has matured, and it now supports features like over-the-air updates, a more polished app ecosystem (albeit still sparse), and better overall performance. UBports has also expanded device support, with models like the PinePhone, PinePhone Pro, and the Librem 5 leading the charge.

The platform’s biggest strength is its commitment to privacy and security, offering users more control over their data. Additionally, the ability to use Ubuntu Touch as part of a convergent system (where the phone can transform into a desktop experience when connected to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse) is still an appealing feature, though it’s far from being fully refined.

Despite these improvements, Ubuntu Touch still faces significant challenges. The app ecosystem remains limited, and while the system supports Android apps through Anbox, the experience is far from perfect. The lack of a mainstream market and manufacturer support means that Ubuntu Touch will likely remain a project for enthusiasts rather than everyday consumers.

The Disappointment: A Lack of Guides for Newer Devices

One of the major disappointments I’ve experienced with Ubuntu Touch is the lack of guides and resources for installing it on devices that aren’t at the core of the UBports project. While the project supports specific devices like the PinePhone and Librem 5, as well as a few older Nexus models, there’s limited support for more current, mainstream smartphones. Devices like Google’s Pixel line (including older models like the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4) are not prioritized, despite the fact that these devices would make excellent candidates for Ubuntu Touch.

When trying to install Ubuntu Touch on a Pixel device, there are few comprehensive guides to help the process along. The lack of clear, step-by-step instructions means that those who are excited about the possibility of running Ubuntu Touch on their modern smartphones are often left to stumble through the process, relying on outdated resources or fragmented information.

For users who are not part of the core Ubuntu Touch community, this can be a major barrier to entry. It’s frustrating to see such a promising platform be somewhat out of reach for those who want to try it on newer devices, especially when you consider how well-suited the Pixel phones are for custom ROMs.

The Future of Ubuntu Touch: Will it Find Its Place?

Looking ahead, the future of Ubuntu Touch remains uncertain. The platform has carved out a niche for itself in the privacy-conscious community, and it’s clear that UBports is committed to continuing its development. Ubuntu Touch will likely remain a curiosity for tech enthusiasts rather than a mainstream mobile OS, unless there is more broader support from major manufacturers or a larger app ecosystem.

As other mobile OS projects like Sailfish OS and postmarketOS continue to develop alongside Ubuntu Touch, the landscape of alternative mobile operating systems is slowly growing. Yet, these projects still face the same uphill battle: competing with the dominant forces of Android and iOS.

In conclusion, while Ubuntu Touch has come a long way since its early days, its future remains in the hands of the UBports community. For those who are willing to take the plunge and embrace a Linux-based mobile operating system, Ubuntu Touch offers a unique experience. For the average smartphone user, it’s still a platform that’s not quite ready to replace their iPhone or Android device. And as for those of us who’d love to see it running on more mainstream devices — like the Pixel line — the lack of proper guides and resources remains a significant hurdle.

The Road Ahead for Ubuntu Touch

While the road ahead may be bumpy, it’s clear that Ubuntu Touch still has potential. As long as the community remains passionate and dedicated to its development, the platform will continue to evolve and improve. But whether it will ever become a viable alternative to the likes of Android and iOS remains to be seen. For now, Ubuntu Touch is a project for the curious and the adventurous, a testament to the idea that the world of mobile computing doesn’t have to be entirely controlled by the usual giants.