Earlier this year,
Microsoft dropped support for Windows 10 Mobile after
supporting the operating system for years with bug fixes.
Windows 10 Mobile has been pretty much on life support for more
than 3 years, with Microsoft stopping adding new features after
Creators Update release.
There are people still using their outdated Windows Phones
because the hardware apparently works. For those still hanging
out with their flagship Lumia phones, there might be another
good news. In addition to Windows 10 on ARM, you can now
install Ubuntu on your Lumia 950/950 XL.
Developer Gustave is now
experimenting with Ubuntu Focal Fossa for Lumia phones and the
project uses a kernel port developed by imbushuo in 2018.
According to the dev, the latest mainline kernel for Linux
works without modifications on Lumia 950 XL now.
A few years ago, a developer successfully managed to install
Android Nougat onto the Nokia Lumia 520 and 525 – these two
handsets were not eligible for an official upgrade to Windows
10 Mobile initially.
Last month, developer Ben released a new version of a tool
called ‘Lumia950XLPgk’ to enable
multiple-use scenarios. This adds support for SD card boot and
multi-OS boot such as Linux and Android.
One developer has
already managed to run TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) on
Lumia 950, which is an open-source software custom recovery
image for Android-based devices.
It’s worth noting that hackers of the old project noted that
Android release runs well on relatively ancient Windows Phone
hardware such as Lumia 520. One can’t help but wonder what
Android would be like on one of Windows Phone flagships such as
Lumia 950 XL or HP Elite x3.
Previously, it was possible to sideload Android on Lumia 525 by
removing Windows Phone and UEFI elements from the hardware. And
then flashing Little Kernel Boot Loader, TWRP, and a custom
recovery method for Android.
In the latest project too, developers are planning to use TWRP
and Lumia950XLPgk tool.
Android project for Windows Phone is still in the early days of
development and more details could be shared later this summer.
