February 15, 2026
Linux love, device drama
Pocketblue – Fedora Atomic for mobile devices
Fedora goes pocket‑size, but the guest list is tiny
TLDR: Pocketblue brings Fedora’s read‑only, easy‑update mobile build to just four devices, exciting fans with modern container-based tech and easy UI switching. Commenters are split between praise for the bold approach and frustration that PinePhone/Librem 5 and most phones aren’t supported yet—big promise, tiny roster.
Pocketblue just cannonballed into the Linux‑on‑mobile pool, bringing Fedora’s Atomic setup—read‑only base with safer, easier updates—to a very short list of Android devices: Xiaomi Pad 5/6 and OnePlus 6/6T. It’s labeled work‑in‑progress and the installer warns it will wipe your device, but the buzz is loud. Fans are hyped that it’s built on Fedora and bootable containers (think: the OS is assembled like an app recipe), with the build spelled out in a Containerfile.
The lovefest? linmob calls it “the most important new‑comer,” praising that you can swap mobile interfaces—Plasma Mobile or Phosh—like changing phone themes. There’s even talk of dev chats and nerdy goodies like Firefox as a Flatpak and emulation tricks to run desktop apps on ARM.
The drama? Device FOMO. HardwareLust begs for a wider lineup. pengaru demands to know how PinePhone and Librem 5 got snubbed on day one. esperent goes full spice, wondering if this will be “another GrapheneOS” situation with extreme device limits. The thread split into two camps: the “this is the future, be patient” crowd and the “cool story, call me when my phone’s supported” skeptics. Meanwhile, everyone agrees on one thing: bold move, tiny invite list, maximum tea.
Key Points
- •Pocketblue provides Fedora Atomic images for mobile devices.
- •The project is work-in-progress and warns that installation wipes all device data.
- •Supported devices are Xiaomi Pad 5, Xiaomi Pad 6, and OnePlus 6/6T.
- •Documentation covers installing packages, using toolbox, Flatpak-packaged Firefox config, fex-emu for x86-on-ARM, and encryption.
- •Related projects and community chats are linked, including KIWI image descriptions, a Fedora UKI for OnePlus 6/6T, and device-specific Telegram/Matrix channels.