UBports Releases Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.3 with Bug Fixes and Desktop App Improvements

The UBports team, the developers behind the privacy-focused mobile operating system Ubuntu Touch, has announced the release of Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.3.

This maintenance update, part of the 24.04-1.x series, will roll out to supported devices over the coming days. It primarily focuses on bug fixes and minor enhancements to improve system stability and functionality.

Key Changes in Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.3

The latest update introduces several improvements, particularly for desktop app compatibility, which is crucial for users utilizing external docks like the NexDock. Notable changes include:

• Enhanced X11 App Support: Users can now launch X11 applications outside of the Lomiri environment, such as from OpenStore or Snapz0r. Issues with placeholder windows and launcher entries have also been resolved.
• GTK4 Application Compatibility: Applications built with GTK4 should now run without issues.
• Fixed AMR Voice Message Playback: MMS voice messages in the AMR format can now be played back correctly.
• Improved Scaling: Applications using Qt auto-scaling or embedded web views now display with accurate scaling.
• Resolved Shutdown Hangs: Some devices previously experienced hangs during shutdown, which have now been fixed.
• Security and Stability Updates: General bug fixes and security patches have been applied.

A full list of changes, including updates to components like lomiri, qtmir, snapd, and bluebinder, is available on the UBports blog.

How to Update to Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.3

For Existing Users:

• The update will appear in System Settings > Updates and will be rolled out gradually to devices running 24.04-1.2.
• Users on Ubuntu Touch 20.04 OTA-11 or earlier must first update to 20.04 OTA-12 before upgrading to 24.04-1.3.
• To force an immediate update, enable ADB access and run the following command: bashKopiujsudo system-image-cli -v -p 0 --progress dots

For New Users:

• Installation instructions for supported devices are available at devices.ubuntu-touch.io.

Found a Bug? Report It!

UBports encourages users to report any issues they encounter. Bugs can be submitted via GitLab, where a new issue-tracking system has been set up for Ubuntu Touch. Before submitting a report, users should check if the issue has already been documented.

Looking Ahead: Ubuntu Touch 24.04-2.0

Nearly five months have passed since the release of Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0, and the team is now working on the next major update, 24.04-2.0. The primary goal of this version is to modernize the Morph Browser, which currently relies on QtWebEngine 5.15.19 (based on Chromium 87). This version is significantly outdated compared to current web standards.

The Challenge:
To update the browser engine, UBports needs to transition to Qt 6.x (the latest QtWebEngine version is 6.11). However, Qt 6 is not compatible with Ubuntu Touch’s current Qt 5-based architecture. While parts of the system, such as Morph Browser in Debian Testing, have already been migrated to Qt 6, many existing apps still depend on Qt 5.

The Solution:
UBports is working on including both Qt 5 and Qt 6 in the system image. However, some supported devices lack sufficient storage to accommodate both versions simultaneously. The team is currently optimizing the system to ensure Ubuntu Touch 24.04-2.0, with its updated browser engine, reaches as many devices as possible.

Once these challenges are resolved, 24.04-2.0 will be released for broader testing.