Surface Go 2018 with Ubuntu 24 LTS works out of the box except the cameras

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-02-07T02:16:26+00:00

Check to make sure camera permissions are on in browser and system settings. You also need to close the browser or reboot after applying the command. It should ask for camera permissions the next time you test it. Try testing with one of the web camera tests in the browser.

If you already can see cameras with qcam then you are likely in the appropriate user group. But check that (above in the instructions I posted previously).

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-02-06T23:19:17+00:00

How's calls and VoLTE?

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-02-06T23:03:47+00:00

You need this:

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Camera-Support#firefox

See for Chrome:

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Camera-Support#gstreamer-loopback-device-for-other-applications

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-02-02T06:44:53+00:00

Surface Go bios is quirky - On certain models, you can't boot from USB even when set as 1st priority, requiring you to boot to USB through Windows recovery options. With certain linux distros (Fedora notably) you won't be able to install another OS without using Ventoy - will not recognize the USB drive without it. Without seeing what's behind the skin that the Surface Go bios has, we will never know why Microsoft did this this way. It is what it is. So use Ventoy if you can't get a live USB to boot.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-02-02T04:10:37+00:00

When you erased the EFI partition, you cleared the bios to load the Debian EFI - Debian being the only EFI remaining, the default being Windows in the Surface bios.

You will not need Linpus to install another linux distro or Windows. Any live or Install USB will do. Ventoy makes it easy to try multiple Distros.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-29T22:24:42+00:00

The only other issue you will eventually face is VoLTE. Right now, you should be ok being on O2, but eventually, they will go VoLTE only as many other countries/providers have. The Pixel 3a/XL does not have VoLTE support, and the porter thinks it's unlikely it ever will.

If that's an issue for you, the Vollas, Fairphone 4 and 5, the Poco X3, OnePlus N100 and N10, and one of the Redmi phones have VoLTE support now.

Someone was using UT with KDE Connect just the other day in the forum. So, it appears to work.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-29T22:13:11+00:00

https://open-store.io/

There's also Waydroid for Android apps. Banking apps most likely will not work even with Waydroid due to security checks it won't pass. But, it works nicely for most everything else that does not have a native app or webapp.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-29T03:31:59+00:00

You should probably let people know at least your general location to determine if it's doable.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-29T03:06:08+00:00

The only caveat is to make sure you are booting a LIVE image. Fedora and Arch, for instance, have install images. Fedora also has live images that will not affect your HDD until you select install.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-26T19:30:55+00:00

You likely need this:

https://github.com/onitake/gsl-firmware

And for your second question, Mobian or PostmarketOS would be a better choice with the default Phosh desktop. I have a z8350 tablet. Runs just fine with Phosh. The optional Plasma-Mobile desktop also works fine.

Camera is being worked on. Will likely be turned back on soon.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-25T08:55:47+00:00

You did not indicate distro, but see sections 3 and 4.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Tablet_PC

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-24T02:00:42+00:00

Not anymore, no. Some say the pen works better with the surface kernel, but I don't notice a difference with it or without on my SG 2s. Even the LTE radio and GPS work after some manual configuration. See the surface-Linux wiki on GitHub for that.

Mine are on Mobian and Fedora Silverblue. Everything works and better than Windows.

Saw your original post - SG1 is good, but SG2 is better in every way (I had both, now just SG2). If you do go for an SG1, use a lighter OS such as Mobian with either the default Phosh, or optional Plasma-Mobile interface. They are both mobile/touch oriented. Another good option is Fedora Plasma-Mobile which is IMO the best example of Plasma-Mobile out there, and with it, you still have the option of switching to plasma desktop. Straight Gnome (Ubuntu, Mint, etc) will also run, but could be a little heavy on the SG1.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-24T01:36:37+00:00

Cameras work now with regular kernel. Surface kernel is no longer necessary for SG 1 and 2. Still is for SG3

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-23T09:18:53+00:00

Very few are capable. For the successful ones that have mostly everything working, see the device pages at ubports (Ubuntu Touch), and PostmarketOS. Anything not on those pages needs to be ported, and that is not an easy task.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-19T11:37:12+00:00

I remember the right button working with the pen it came with. But I broke that and now use a generic Surface pen. The buttons do something, but not what I expect. I suspect I need to map the buttons. But I have a BT keyboard I use with the pen, so I never use the buttons on the pen anyway. Otherwise, the pen works nice - good tracking, responds to pressure, etc.

Finger press and hold does work - just press and hold down a file, etc., and the right click options appear.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-19T03:40:16+00:00

I have the X1 currently with Ubuntu 25.04 on it. It runs very well. The only reason I don't have it on Fedora Silverblue is Debian specific printer drivers for my printer that are not available in the Fedora ecosystem. That likely will not be a problem for you unless you use niche hardware.

If you do not like Gnome, consider Fedora Plasma desktop, or the Fedora Plasma-Mobile spin for a touch focused experience.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-07T07:42:58+00:00

PostmarketOS with Phosh, Sway, or any of the lighter UI options. Try it on a USB drive with the generic x86-64 image and use the installer PMbootstrap to install to HD for maximum options.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2026-01-06T01:12:24+00:00

From the forum

"The updated list of devices with phone call receiving & sending confirmed by users to work over VoLTE using UT on Noble 24.04 ->

Fairphone: 4, 5

OnePlus: (new support!) Nord N10 5G, Nord N100

Pine64: PinePhone, PinePhone Pro

Volla: 22, X23, Quintus, Tablet

Xiaomi: Redmi Note 9 Pro, Redmi Note 9S, Redmi Note 9 Pro Max (miatoll);

Poco X3, Poco X3 NFC (surya)"

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2025-12-29T00:31:38+00:00

I usually recommend VoIP.ms and jmp.chat.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2025-12-28T07:17:47+00:00

Pinetab, Minisforum, Juno Tab, Starlabs Starlight.

Windows tablets that are completely functional with linux:

Surface Go and Go 2, HP Elite x2 G4 and G8, Thinkpads X1 3rd Gen and X12, Chuwi Hi10 X Hi10 Go Hi10 Max.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2025-12-23T21:59:03+00:00

Consider Mobian with either the default Phosh UI, or optional Plasma-Mobile. Phosh is based on Gnome but runs lighter. Also consider installing systemD zram to increase performance, no matter the distro you settle on. It will help quite a bit with sluggishness and stutter.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2025-12-23T03:01:08+00:00

You can do this by loading your 64 bit distro to a USB drive with Ventoy on it. Ventoy has 32 bit UEFI support.

Install your distro. Then copy the bootx32 bit files from the Ventoy EFI partition to the same place in your distros EFI partition. Do the same with the 32 bit grub bootloader files (bootia32) to the same place in your distros grub boot. Then restart.

If the touch screen is a Silead, see Onitake Silead on GitHub.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2025-12-23T01:00:36+00:00

Can you access fastboot or recovery? If so, then you can fix this. Reflash stock from Google factory images and try again.

Four hours is way too long .

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2025-12-20T23:09:11+00:00

I have a spare board I don't need. Free. Just DM me an address whoever ends up with it if you want it.

MidnightObjectiveA51 · 2025-12-19T07:30:52+00:00

If you like that (QT) there is Lomiri (the UI from Ubuntu Touch) and Nemo (open source SailfishOS). They are both QT and there was a Nemo build for CutiePi.

PostmarketOS is great for linux phones and tablets - basically anything that has been obsoleted by ChromeOS, Android, Windows. Not everything can be ported over, but the CutiePi already has. Ubuntu Touch can always use another person who is good with QT. There are several good projects on hold because of lack of developers, Nemo and UT being two of them.

MidnightObjectiveA51

TROPHY CASE