Using free software is always important, no matter what kind of computer you use. Whether it’s a laptop or a mobile phone, our computers should do our computing the way we wish.

Using proprietary software makes corporations and computers do what they like, not what we want. However, free software gives us the power to control our computing and own our systems.

One kind of computers we use daily is our mobile phones. Mobile phones are also computers so they should also run free software. An important part of our mobile phones’ software is the operating system.

Now, Android itself is free software but usually phones come with a Googlized Android. Googlized Android is no longer free software but there’s something you can do, use LineageOS.

What Is LineageOS?

LineageOS, pronounced /ˈlinēij/, is a free (as in freedom) operating system for various devices, based on the Android mobile platform. Since 2016, LineageOS project works to bring a free software operating system to people that can be run on a lot of devices.

They currently support many mobile phones from different manufacturers including, but not limited to, Asus, Google, HTC, LG, OnePlus, Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi.

You can download the latest LineageOS image and install it on your phone to be able to get rid of proprietary Android.

Why LineageOS?

It’s Very Customizable

LineageOS happens to have a very great user interface. It’s very customizable and you can make your phone very unique. It also runs very smooth and works almost perfect.

LineageOS even has features that Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which is the core of Android, doesn’t have. You can customize almost everything you need to be customized.

It’s Free Software

LineageOS is totally free software and you can read the source codes, change it the way you want, or even make your own version of it. You can install Android apps without needing a Google account. If you feel you need Google Play app store, you can also have it. However, by installing F-Droid, you won’t need it.

LineageOS is also the mother of some other Android distributions such as Replicant. Replicant is endorsed by FSF.

Security and Privacy

LineageOS makes sure that your data is only owned by you. By using LineageOS you can choose what your apps do. LineageOS doesn’t collect your information or share it with anyone.

With powerful tools such as Privacy Guard, you are in control of what your apps can do whenever you want.

LineageOS brings security updates to supported devices every month to make sure all devices are safe and secure and in your own control only. You can also encrypt all your data.

Your Phone, Your Power

You may know that some companies like Apple, deliberately shorten the lifespan of your device to make you buy a new device from them. By installing LineageOS, you can make sure that your device does everything you want without its lifespan being reduced.

LineageOS extends the functionality and lifespan of mobile devices from more than 20 different manufacturers.

With a great community, power users can run Unix command-line utilities and normal users can enjoy a phone that powers them do what they want.