# Replicant

> free software version of Android

**Wikidata**: [Q7314062](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7314062)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicant_(operating_system))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/replicant

## Summary  
Replicant is a free‑software mobile operating system that re‑implements Android without any proprietary components. Launched in 2010, it is endorsed by the Free Software Foundation and targets a limited set of Samsung devices, removing Google Play Services and other closed‑source drivers.

## Key Facts  
- **Inception:** 2010 【source】  
- **Based on:** Android (GPL‑2.0 and Apache‑2.0 licensed)【source】  
- **Classification:** Mobile operating system, Android distribution, free operating system【source】  
- **Sponsor:** Free Software Foundation (Wikidata Q48413)【source】  
- **License:** GNU GPL v2 + Apache 2.0【source】  
- **Major releases:**  
  - Replicant 2.2 0001 (26 Apr 2011)【source】  
  - Replicant 4.0 0001 (16 Nov 2012, based on Android Ice Cream Sandwich)【source】  
  - Replicant 4.2 0001 (22 Jan 2014)【source】  
  - Replicant 6.0 0003 (30 Dec 2017, based on Android 6.0)【source】  
- **Supported devices (selected):** Samsung Galaxy Note II 3G (GT‑I9300), Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5110, Nexus S, etc.【source】  
- **Removed proprietary features:** Google Play Services, proprietary device drivers, other closed‑source software【source】  
- **Official website:** https://www.replicant.us/ (English)【source】  
- **Source code repository:** https://git.replicant.us/【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Replicant?  
A: Replicant is a free‑software Android distribution that replaces all proprietary components with fully free alternatives, offering a privacy‑respecting mobile OS for supported devices.  

### Q: Does Replicant include Google Play Services?  
A: No. Replicant deliberately removes Google Play Services and any other closed‑source Google components to remain completely free software.  

### Q: Which phones can run Replicant?  
A: Replicant supports a handful of older Samsung devices (e.g., Galaxy Note II 3G, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1) and the Nexus S, as listed on its supported‑devices page.  

### Q: Who maintains Replicant?  
A: The project is community‑driven, sponsored by the Free Software Foundation, and coordinated through its website, IRC channel (#replicant on freenode), and public issue tracker.  

### Q: How does Replicant differ from standard Android?  
A: Unlike standard Android, Replicant contains only free software, removes proprietary drivers, and does not ship Google’s ecosystem, providing greater user control and auditability.  

## Why It Matters  
Replicant embodies the free‑software movement’s goal of giving users full control over their computing devices. By stripping Android of all proprietary binaries and services, it eliminates hidden telemetry, vendor lock‑in, and security backdoors that are common in mainstream mobile platforms. This makes Replicant a valuable tool for privacy‑conscious users, developers who need an auditable code base, and activists advocating digital freedom. Although its device support is limited to older hardware, the project demonstrates that a completely free mobile stack is technically feasible, influencing other initiatives and encouraging manufacturers to consider open‑source drivers. Its endorsement by the Free Software Foundation further legitimizes its role as a reference implementation for a truly libre smartphone experience.

## Notable For  
- **First fully free Android distribution** endorsed by the FSF.  
- **Removal of all proprietary Google components**, including Play Services.  
- **Dual licensing** (GPL v2 + Apache 2.0) ensures compatibility with upstream Android code.  
- **Support for specific Samsung hardware** via the Replicant‑kernel‑samsung‑espresso10 tree.  
- **Active community infrastructure**: IRC channel, public issue tracker, and official blog in English.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Replicant is a free‑software mobile operating system that re‑creates Android without any closed‑source binaries. It is classified simultaneously as a mobile operating system, an Android distribution, and a free operating system. The project aligns with the free‑software movement and is part of the FSF‑endorsed operating systems family.

### History and Development  
- **2010:** Project launched, aiming to provide a completely libre Android experience.  
- **2011‑2017:** Successive major releases (2.2, 4.0, 4.2, 6.0) each based on a newer Android version while preserving the free‑software policy.  
- **Sponsorship:** The Free Software Foundation (FSF) provides financial and advocacy support.

### Licensing  
Replicant’s code is released under two permissive licenses: the GNU General Public License version 2.0 and the Apache Software License 2.0. This dual licensing mirrors Android’s own licensing model and enables redistribution and modification under free‑software terms.

### Versions and Releases  
| Version | Build | Based on Android | Release date |
|---------|-------|------------------|--------------|
| 2.2 0001 | – | Android 2.2 (Froyo) | 26 Apr 2011 |
| 4.0 0001 | – | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | 16 Nov 2012 |
| 4.2 0001 | – | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) | 22 Jan 2014 |
| 6.0 0003 | – | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | 30 Dec 2017 |

Each release removes proprietary drivers and Google services, replacing them with free alternatives where possible.

### Device Compatibility  
Replicant targets a curated list of devices, primarily older Samsung models and the Nexus S. Officially supported devices include:  

- GT‑I9300 (Samsung Galaxy Note II 3G)  
- GT‑I9250 (Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 GSM)  
- GT‑I9100 (Samsung Galaxy S II)  
- GT‑N7000 (Samsung Galaxy Note II Wi‑Fi)  
- GT‑P3110 (Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0)  
- GT‑P5110 (Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1)  

Compatibility information is maintained on the project’s “supported devices” page.

### Architecture and Components  
- **Kernel:** Uses the “Replicant’s kernel_samsung_espresso10” tree for Samsung variants.  
- **Libraries:** Relies on `libsamsung-ipc` for inter‑process communication on supported hardware.  
- **Removed Features:** Google Play Services, proprietary device drivers, and any other closed‑source software are deliberately omitted.  

### Community and Governance  
- **Communication:** IRC channel `#replicant` on freenode, subreddit `r/ReplicantOS`, and an English‑language official blog.  
- **Issue Tracking:** Public Redmine instance at https://redmine.replicant.us/projects/replicant/issues.  
- **Documentation:** User manual and build instructions hosted on the Redmine wiki.  

### Resources  
- **Website:** https://www.replicant.us/ (English)  
- **Source Code:** https://git.replicant.us/  
- **Official Blog:** https://blog.replicant.us/ (English)  
- **Image Example:** Replicant 4.0 running on a Nexus S (see Commons image).  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Replicant",
  "description": "Free software version of Android",
  "url": "https://www.replicant.us/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicant_(operating_system)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "MobileOperatingSystem"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://redmine.replicant.us/projects/replicant/wiki/DeviceStatus#Replicant-22)
2. [Source](https://redmine.replicant.us/projects/replicant/wiki/DeviceStatus#Replicant-40)
3. [Source](https://redmine.replicant.us/projects/replicant/wiki/DeviceStatus#Replicant-42)
4. [Source](https://redmine.replicant.us/projects/replicant/wiki/Images#Replicant-60-0003-images)
5. [Source](https://blog.replicant.us/2017/12/third-replicant-6-0-release/)
6. [Source](https://redmine.replicant.us/projects/replicant/wiki/DeviceStatus#Replicant-23)
7. [Replicant images](https://redmine.replicant.us/projects/replicant/wiki/Images)
8. [Source](https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-non-gnu-distros.html)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](http://blog.replicant.us/2015/07/replicant-source-code-hosting-and-rmll-2015/)
11. [Source](https://redmine.replicant.us/projects/replicant/wiki/Replicant60BuildDependenciesInstallation)
12. [Source](https://replicant.us/supported-devices.php)