Sailfish X Beta is now available for XA2. It comes with the awaited Android apps support for Xperia XA2 devices including major architectural changes, and upgrades the support from Android 4.4.4 to Android 8.1. This is a major upgrade and will open up a wide range of additional Android apps to enjoy in your beloved Sailfish device and, even though still in beta, we’re confident that you’ll enjoy using it to take full advantage of the latest apps.
Further the release comes with predictive text input, MS Exchange Support, software updates and support.
Sailfish X comes with Sailfish OS update 3.0.1.14.
How is Sailfish OS Android 8.1 apps support better than that of 4.4.4
- More apps will be supported, especially those targeted at newer android versions.
- Security fixes are at the level of Android 8.1 (r46).
- Linux Containers (lxc) are used for separation of SailfishOS and Aliendalvik (Android Support).
- Applications which only work on non-rooted android devices behave better now (e.g. banking apps).
- Driver support is improved, also bringing benefit for stability, memory usage and reliability. Especially:
- camera - proper support for XA2 camera API
- graphics - proper support for XA2 graphics API.
- Overall performance improvements and memory usage improvements (inherited from Android, see Android release notes). Performance difference between the new AlienDalvik and AOSP is negligible according to benchmarks.
- Better notification integration.
- Integrated more tightly with Sailfish OS.
Highlights of the current features
- Network connectivity: you can already have network access over WLAN connectivity.
- Location service works, so you are able to use map apps e.g. HERE WeGo.
- Sensors work so you are able to use apps in all orientations.
- Your photos and contacts on Sailfish OS side can be accessed from Android apps.
- Camera works in Android apps.
- Basic audio works.
- Notifications from Android apps are received (but tapping them sometimes has no effect).
- Aptoide Store is available for Xperia XA2 in Jolla Store. From Aptoide you can install Android apps to your XA2.
- Installing of downloaded APK files works.
- Uninstalling of Android apps at the App grid works in the same way as for Sailfish apps.
Known issues with the new 8.1 based Android Support (in Sailfish OS 3.0.1)
- Mobile data is not detected properly by some Android apps (Internet connections over WLAN work, though).
- There are quite many apps that cannot communicate via mobile data (including Aptoide). On the other hand, several apps can communicate via mobile data.
- Some apps (e.g. Spotify) claim that "You are offline. Please connect to the internet..." when using mobile data. The connection works, though.
- Few apps (e.g. Whatsapp) need be set up via WLAN as mobile data does not work for this. After setting up the app mobile data works as a connection media.
- Recently created files are not always detected by Android apps (device restart helps)
- Files (e.g. pictures taken) recently added to Sailfish folders do not appear to Android apps (e.g. Whatsapp) before the device has been restarted.
- Files (e.g. pictures taken) recently added to Android folders do not appear to Sailfish apps (e.g. Gallery) before the device has been restarted.
- Audio and multimedia are not fully functional in all apps
- Some Android apps may not be able to play video sound (or the sound volume level is minimal).
- Some apps may crash when trying to make video/audio calls (e.g. WeChat).
- Generic known issues
- Stopping Android Support (Settings > Android Support) makes the display go black (Power key to be used to wake it up).
- No installation dialogue appears when an Android app is installed by tapping an APK file in Settings -> Transfers. The installation works, though.
- Some Android apps (when installing them) do not get the icon to the application launch grid (just the name of the app is shown).
- Some gestures (e.g. swiping Top Menu visible) must be done as if the app were in portrait mode (i.e. starting the swipe from the device top edge) although the app is in landscape mode.
- Not possible to copy/paste text from Android apps to Sailfish apps. The opposite works, though.
- Scrolling through a long page does not work smoothly in some apps (e.g. Facebook).
- Google Play services are not supported; therefore certain apps may not function properly.
HOW CAN ONE GET SAILFISH X BETA?
a) If you have installed Sailfish X to your XA2 device previously then use your XA2 to search for Sailfish OS updates. Update
3.0.1.14 contains Sailfish X Beta. Install this update. Then buy the Sailfish X Beta license at
https://shop.jolla.com/, to which you sign in with your Jolla account (that is used in your XA2). After the purchase restart your XA2. Now Jolla Store has Android Support, Exchange and predictive text input for you.
b) If you have not installed Sailfish X to your previously then go and buy the Sailfish X Beta license at
https://shop.jolla.com/. Once done, you are able to download Sailfish X from
https://shop.jolla.com/downloads/ . Follow our
official instructions, please.