UBports 24.04-1.3 brings Ubuntu Touch back into the spotlight with a fresh maintenance update aimed at keeping the privacy-friendly mobile operating system stable, secure, and pleasant to use. While this release doesn’t introduce flashy new features, it focuses on the kind of practical improvements that make a real difference day to day—especially if you rely on Ubuntu Touch as a daily driver or enjoy testing Linux on mobile hardware.
This update is part of the ongoing 24.04-1.x series and arrives as UBports continues its steady push toward Ubuntu Touch 24.04-2.0. In other words, 24.04-1.3 is a “keep everything running smoothly” release: tighter behavior, fewer annoyances, and important security and bug fixes that users should install as soon as possible.
One of the biggest areas of attention is desktop app compatibility and launch behavior. UBports 24.04-1.3 improves the handling of desktop applications in several ways, including better launching of X11 apps outside of the Lomiri environment. It also addresses issues affecting GTK4 app launches and fixes the frustrating problem of leftover placeholder windows or launcher entries that could appear when starting certain X11 apps. If you use desktop-style apps on Ubuntu Touch, these changes should make the experience feel cleaner and more reliable.
The update also improves dock support, particularly when using input devices with setups like the NexDock. For users who like turning their phone into a more laptop-like experience, better dock handling can mean fewer connection quirks and smoother input behavior.
Another notable fix targets a shutdown hanging issue that affected some devices. If your phone occasionally got stuck while powering down, this release is designed to eliminate that problem.
There are also fixes that address everyday communication and interface behavior. UBports 24.04-1.3 corrects playback for AMR voice messages sent through MMS, resolves a scaling factor issue that could be slightly off in certain apps, and improves how scaling behaves in applications that use embedded webviews or Qt auto scaling—small details that can have a big impact on usability.
Alongside these targeted improvements, the release includes general bug fixes and security updates, reinforcing the idea that this is an important maintenance release for anyone who wants their Ubuntu Touch device to remain safe and responsive.
Looking forward, UBports also points toward Ubuntu Touch 24.04-2.0, which is expected to deliver an updated web browser experience. While 24.04-1.3 is about refinement, the next major step sounds like it will focus on a more noticeable upgrade that many users care about: browsing.
Ubuntu Touch continues to support a solid range of devices, including the Fairphone 3, 3+, 4, and 5, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G, multiple Xiaomi phones, and several Volla devices, including the Volla Tablet. For anyone interested in a Linux-based mobile operating system that emphasizes privacy and freedom, Ubuntu Touch remains one of the most compelling options—and releases like 24.04-1.3 show that the project is steadily improving the experience with meaningful, user-focused fixes.
