Fairphone 6 main camera now supported on postmarketOS
Community developer Catcrafts enables autofocus and color correction, moving the device closer to a fully open-source Linux alternative.
A developer known as Catcrafts has successfully implemented a driver for the main camera of the Fairphone 6 running postmarketOS. This milestone brings essential hardware functionality to a device running a genuine Linux distribution, moving it closer to becoming a viable alternative to proprietary mobile operating systems.
According to Catcrafts, the new driver enables both autofocus and initial color correction. This work builds upon previous efforts by developer nondescriptpointer, who had previously enabled the device's wide-lens camera. While the main camera is now operational, Catcrafts noted that image quality remains grainy and requires further refinement. The project currently runs on Linux kernel 7.1.2.
The challenge of open hardware
PostmarketOS is a community-driven initiative designed to provide a true Linux experience for smartphones. Unlike many alternative operating systems that rely on "Halium"—a compatibility layer that sits atop Android—postmarketOS aims for a cleaner implementation. However, achieving this is notoriously difficult because original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) typically provide closed-source firmware and proprietary drivers for critical components like modems and cameras.
Beyond the camera, the project has made significant strides in connectivity. Four mobile carriers have been confirmed as working with the current image: KPN in the Netherlands, Telekom in Germany, and both Phonero and Telia in Norway. Furthermore, the developer has secured official approval to conduct critical testing of emergency calling capabilities on Tuesday, August 18, between 13:30 and 14:15.
Why it matters
Main camera support is a critical threshold for any mobile OS. Without a functioning primary camera, a device remains a hobbyist experiment rather than a daily-driveable tool. The successful implementation of these drivers, combined with the coordination of emergency service testing, demonstrates a rigorous approach to hardware enablement. It proves that modern smartphone hardware can be liberated from the Android and iOS duopoly through persistent community engineering.
What's next
Future efforts will focus on polishing image quality to remove current graininess and expanding carrier compatibility. The developer has also expressed long-term ambitions to further the mission of open phone software, including plans to incorporate Catcrafts as a non-profit company (stichting) and a vision for a RISC-V based phone to ensure maximum openness at the architectural level.