What Sailfish OS is
Sailfish OS is a mobile operating system developed by Jolla, a company based in Finland. It is built on Linux and designed as an independent alternative to Android and iOS, with a distinctive interface controlled largely by swipe gestures. Jolla released its first phone running Sailfish OS in 2013, and the system has since been offered for a range of devices, including licensed versions for selected Sony Xperia phones.
Roots in Nokia's MeeGo
Jolla was founded in 2011 by former Nokia employees after Nokia abandoned its MeeGo operating system in favor of Windows Phone. The team carried MeeGo's ideas forward, building Sailfish OS on the open-source Mer project, which continued MeeGo's core. Much of the lower-level system is open source, while parts of the interface remain proprietary, and the user interface is built with the Qt framework.
A gesture-driven interface
Sailfish OS is known for navigation built on swipes rather than on-screen buttons. You swipe from the edges of the screen to move between the home screen, open apps, and notifications. Running apps appear as live covers on the home screen, small windows that show updated information and can offer quick actions without fully opening the app. Many people find this makes multitasking fast and natural once learned.
Running Android apps
Native Sailfish apps are relatively few, so Jolla offers Android App Support, a compatibility layer that lets many Android apps run alongside native ones. It is included in the paid, licensed version of Sailfish OS, which also adds features such as predictive text input and Microsoft Exchange support. Apps that depend heavily on Google services may not work, so checking compatibility before switching is wise.
Installing it
Sailfish X is the program that lets people install Sailfish OS on supported phones, mostly from Sony's Xperia line. It involves unlocking the bootloader and flashing the system with tools such as fastboot, following Jolla's instructions. A free trial version is available, while the licensed version adds Android app support and other extras. Jolla has also sold its own phones for people who prefer the system preinstalled.
The bottom line
Sailfish OS is one of the few independent mobile operating systems still standing, carrying on the ideas of Nokia's MeeGo with a gesture-driven interface and a Linux foundation. Android app support helps bridge the gap in native apps. For people who want an alternative to the Android and iOS duopoly and own a supported phone, it offers a distinctive and privacy-friendly option worth exploring.
Related on Skillo
See also: What is Ubuntu Touch? Explained, What is sideloading apps on Android?.
Sources
Published date reflects the original event date (2026-10-23). This article is original Skillo editorial written from the sources above; facts were verified in September 2026.
Leave a Reply