# postmarketOS

> mobile operating system based on Alpine Linux

**Wikidata**: [Q42851482](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42851482)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PostmarketOS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/postmarketos

## Summary
postmarketOS is a free and open-source mobile operating system based on Alpine Linux, designed to extend the lifespan of smartphones by providing a lightweight, customizable alternative to proprietary mobile OSes. It supports a wide range of devices, including the PinePhone Pro and Raspberry Pi, and emphasizes user freedom, privacy, and long-term maintainability.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Mobile operating system, Linux distribution, and free operating system.
- **Based on**: Alpine Linux (a lightweight Linux distribution).
- **License**: GNU General Public License, version 3.0.
- **Latest stable version**: 21.12 (released December 29, 2021).
- **Supported platforms**: ARM architecture, RISC-V, and x86-based devices.
- **Package management**: Uses the Alpine package manager (apk).
- **Official website**: [postmarketos.org](https://postmarketos.org/).
- **Source code**: Hosted on [GitLab](https://gitlab.postmarketos.org/) (migrated October 6, 2024).
- **Community**: Active on Matrix, IRC, Reddit (r/postmarketOS), and Mastodon (@postmarketOS@treehouse.systems).

## FAQs
### Q: What devices does postmarketOS support?
A: postmarketOS supports a variety of smartphones, including the PinePhone Pro, as well as single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi. It is designed to run on ARM, RISC-V, and x86 architectures.

### Q: Is postmarketOS free to use and modify?
A: Yes, postmarketOS is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0, meaning users can freely use, modify, and redistribute it.

### Q: How does postmarketOS differ from Android or iOS?
A: Unlike Android and iOS, postmarketOS is a lightweight, privacy-focused OS that prioritizes long-term device support and user customization. It is not tied to any corporate ecosystem.

### Q: Where can I find the source code for postmarketOS?
A: The source code is available on [GitLab](https://gitlab.postmarketos.org/), with a migration from the previous repository completed in October 2024.

### Q: Does postmarketOS have a community for support?
A: Yes, the project has active communities on Matrix (#main:postmarketos.org), IRC (irc.freenode.net), Reddit (r/postmarketOS), and Mastodon (@postmarketOS@treehouse.systems).

## Why It Matters
postmarketOS addresses the growing problem of electronic waste and planned obsolescence by providing a sustainable alternative to proprietary mobile operating systems. By extending the lifespan of older smartphones, it reduces the environmental impact of frequent device upgrades. Additionally, its open-source nature ensures transparency, privacy, and user control, contrasting with the closed ecosystems of mainstream mobile OSes. The project also fosters innovation by allowing developers to experiment with Linux-based mobile computing, supporting emerging architectures like RISC-V. For users, it offers a customizable, privacy-respecting platform free from corporate tracking and bloatware.

## Notable For
- **Long-term device support**: Designed to run on older smartphones, reducing e-waste.
- **Lightweight and efficient**: Based on Alpine Linux, known for its minimalism and security.
- **Community-driven development**: Actively maintained by volunteers with open governance.
- **Multi-architecture support**: Compatible with ARM, RISC-V, and x86 devices.
- **Privacy-focused**: No built-in tracking or proprietary services.

## Body
### Overview
postmarketOS is a mobile operating system built on Alpine Linux, aiming to provide a free, open-source alternative to proprietary mobile OSes. It emphasizes sustainability by supporting older devices and offering users full control over their software.

### Development and Releases
- **Initial release**: The project has been under active development since at least 2017, with major versions released annually.
- **Version history**:
  - **20.05** (May 26, 2020)
  - **21.03** (March 31, 2021)
  - **21.06** (July 4, 2021)
  - **21.12** (December 29, 2021)
- **Service packs**: Regular updates (e.g., 21.06 Service Pack 1-4) provide bug fixes and improvements.

### Technical Details
- **Package management**: Uses Alpine’s `apk` package manager for software installation and updates.
- **Supported hardware**:
  - Smartphones: PinePhone Pro (2021), various Android devices.
  - Single-board computers: Raspberry Pi series.
- **Architectures**: ARM (primary), RISC-V, and x86.

### Community and Resources
- **Documentation**: Official wiki available at [wiki.postmarketos.org](https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Main_Page).
- **Communication channels**:
  - Matrix: `#main:postmarketos.org`
  - IRC: `irc.freenode.net/postmarketos`
  - Reddit: r/postmarketOS
  - Mastodon: @postmarketOS@treehouse.systems
- **Social media**: Twitter (@postmarketOS, inactive since 2023), Mastodon (active as of 2025).

### Licensing and Governance
- **License**: GNU GPLv3, ensuring user freedoms to modify and redistribute.
- **Copyright**: Copyrighted but freely licensed under open-source terms.
- **Source code**: Hosted on GitLab, with a migration to a self-hosted instance in October 2024.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "postmarketOS",
  "description": "Mobile operating system based on Alpine Linux",
  "url": "https://postmarketos.org/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q272629",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PostmarketOS"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182933",
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q272629"
  ],
  "license": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html",
  "softwareVersion": "21.12",
  "datePublished": "2021-12-29",
  "operatingSystem": "Linux",
  "applicationCategory": "MobileOperatingSystem"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://gitlab.com/postmarketOS/pmbootstrap/-/blob/master/LICENSE)
2. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2021/03/31/v21.03-release/)
3. [Source](https://gitlab.com/postmarketOS/pmaports/-/commit/d765c4ba144c7b1039d535cee513e343960ffad8)
4. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2020/05/31/three-years/)
5. [Source](https://gitlab.com/postmarketOS/pmaports/-/commit/dbc272fe9ff9f77ff016d0d5678dba76c91ec16d)
6. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2021/07/04/v21.06-release/)
7. [Source](https://gitlab.com/postmarketOS/pmaports/-/commit/3ac5233d12f2c2f3559ebeea2fba1096bffc1736)
8. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2021/12/29/v21.12-release/)
9. [Source](https://gitlab.com/postmarketOS/pmaports/-/commit/5a7d2a7dc8ec0ed456a35ee7968e783d3aafcf4a)
10. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2021/01/22/v20.05.1-is-released/)
11. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2021/05/09/v21.03.1-release/)
12. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2021/08/04/v21.06.1-release/)
13. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2021/09/13/v21.06.2-release/)
14. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2021/10/10/v21.06.3-release/)
15. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2021/11/08/v21.06.4-release/)
16. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/01/17/v21.12.1-release/)
17. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/02/11/v21.12.2-release/)
18. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/03/13/v21.12.3-release/)
19. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/04/18/v21.12.4-release/)
20. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/05/15/v21.12.5-release/)
21. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/06/12/v22.06-release/)
22. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/07/17/v22.06.1-release/)
23. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/09/04/v22.06.2-release/)
24. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/10/23/v22.06.3-release/)
25. [Source](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2022/12/18/v22.12-release/)
26. [v22.12 SP1: The One With A Photo Of A Librem 5 Taking A Photo Of A Librem 5 Taking A Photo. 2023](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2023/02/26/v22.12.1-release/)
27. [v22.12 SP2: The One With The Nice Pull-Down Menu. 2023](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2023/04/10/v22.12.2-release/)
28. [v23.06: From the GNOME Mobile 2023 Hackfest. 2023](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2023/06/07/v23.06-release/)
29. [v23.06 SP1: Through Staging. 2023](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2023/09/10/v23.06-sp1/)
30. [v23.12: The One We Asked The Community To Name. 2023](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2023/12/18/v23.12-release/)
31. [v24.06: The One With Over 250 Devices. 2024](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2024/06/16/v24.06-release/)
32. [2024](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2024/12/23/v24.12-release/)
33. [v25.06: the one with systemd. 2025](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2025/06/22/v25.06-release/)
34. [v25.12: The One Where The Saga Continues. 2025](https://postmarketos.org/blog/2025/12/23/v25.12-release/)
35. [Migration to gitlab.postmarketos.org. 2024](https://status.postmarketos.org/issues/2024-10-06-migration-to-gitlab.postmarketos.org/)
36. [Source](https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Matrix_and_IRC)
37. [Source](https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Matrix_and_IRC#Other_discussion_platforms)
38. [Source](https://postmarketos.org)