Newbie - Arch Linux - Carrier Info - Thoughts

[mikehenson]

I got my PinePhone a few days ago. I wanted to document my thoughts and findings. I am a huge Arch Linux fan. So, I went with Arch Linux on the PinePhone.

Installing Arch Linux
I used Jumpdrive to expose the eMMC and flashed the latest Arch release. Thank you @Danct12
I then used ssh to log into my phone and updated everything to the latest releases.

Code:

sudo pacman -Syyu

 
Carrier Info (I will add this to the wiki once I can create an account)
I already had a phone using FaithWireless (An AT&T virtual carrier) and just moved over the SIM.
Calls and Text messages worked without doing anything.
I am hopeful that FaithWireless (AT&T) will allow the phone to stay on the carrier in Feb 2022. 

• I was told, if you make a phone call and the phone drops to 3G during the call, it will be removed because it is doing Vo3G not VoLTE. The PinePhone stayed at 4G during phone calls. 
  

4G (data) I had to set the wireless settings to: link

Code:

Name NXTGENPHONE
APN NXTGENPHONE

The PROS

1. Flashing the OS was easy
   
2. Connecting to Wifi was easy
   
3. Maps and GPS worked
   
4. Camera worked
   
5. I can add software with "sudo pacman -S pcmanfm"
   
6. I can update the whole phone with "sudo pacman -Syyu"
   
7. Syncthing is in the repositories and could be launched via terminal
   
8. Geary works well with gmail
   
9. Gnome-Calendar work well with google calendar
   

Wish List

1. squeekboard - to have swype/swipe
   
2. squeekboard - to have suggested words pop up (spellchecker)
   
3. Geary - to have some swipe options
   
4. Gnome-Calendar - to have some swipe options 
   
5. Display size to have a 150% option
   
6. Brave Browser to added to the repositories
   

[ryo]

Wish List

1. Brave Browser to added to the repositories
   

They'll add after Brave releases an ARM version for Linux.
https://github.com/brave/brave-core/pull/6927

[Danct12]

Good to hear that everything is working well for you! Although if you really want to build your own environment then check out the barebone image.. waiting for the keyboard attachment

Wish List

1. squeekboard - to have swype/swipe
   
2. squeekboard - to have suggested words pop up (spellchecker)
   

[/quote]

Would be better to suggest it to upstream: https://source.puri.sm/Librem5/squeekboard/-/issues

[iwm]

Having Problems w. AT&T as carrier.  Phone call is intermittent and breaks up quit often.  Text Messaging seem to work fine, although really hard to use such a small keyboard.

[mikehenson]

@iwm

1) What OS do you have? I ask to make sure your phone is not going to "3G" when making a phone call. 3G will make the call break up and drop.

2) What virtual carrier are you using? Are you in the USA?  I ask because AT&T and Cricket will ONLY let their approved devices on their network. You have to use a vitual provider to use AT&T backbone. see https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/PinePhone_C...ort#AT.26T

[iwm]

@iwm

1) What OS do you have? I ask to make sure your phone is not going to "3G" when making a phone call. 3G will make the call break up and drop.

2) What virtual carrier are you using? Are you in the USA?  I ask because AT&T and Cricket will ONLY let their approved devices on their network. You have to use a vitual provider to use AT&T backbone. see https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/PinePhone_C...ort#AT.26T

I am in the US. Colorado to be exact.  Right in the middle of the US.  Phone is working (for the most part) I had a Blackberry Z30 which has a Sim which they disabled about a month ago.  They (AT&T) sent me a new pre-paid phone an ALCATEL which is Android OS.  I took the Sim from it and am using it in my PinePhone Beta.  It does work but seems to act up if I talk to someone on the same network (AT&T).

[mikehenson]

@iwm
I have no issues with talking on my phone. I talk to others on the AT&T network just fine. (I only have issues if the PinePhone tries to use 3G for the phone call)
If you are using Phsoh, try forcing 4G only. "Settings >> Mobile >> Network Mode" to 4G only. Mine is set at "2G, 3G. 4G (preferred)"

My setup:
OS - Rolling Arch with Phosh
Carrier - FaithWireless (A Virtual AT&T provider) (FaithWireless is a small startup and they are incredibly helpful when I have network questions. I keep finding it is ALWAYS my fault when something does not work)