I don’t quite understand why, given that the community is (still) small, the effort of creating a specific Fairphone OS was undertaken. It seems a more obvious path of action to use what already has been done by others for larger communities…
Be that as it may, I was sorely disappointed to find that atm I cannot upgrade to Marshmallow, as for me, the individual permissions are a very important feature on my nexus.I was hoping that to the Fairphone community, privacy protection would be more important…
It’s possible, just have a look at the Sony devices with the 801 (Sony Xperia Z2). But keep in mind the there is no real infrastructure here to do this correctly. Currently there are more important tasks for the FP developers. Like fixing the FP2 and the releasing the last FP1 4.4.4 code, I assume. There will always be newer Android software versions (google drives that bus) but other people (that don’t even have all the code) will need to fix all the small bugs and glitches on every device that differs from the nexus line Sony just happens to have a lot of developers.
So the best workaround would be: Use a used nexus, sony or apple device in the meantime, no update issues. Or try porting it yourself using the Z2 code (it should be pretty much the same). The update for the FP2 will come … it just will take longer.
The best solution would be not to use Android at all, but that would mean no app store, something most people wouldn’t understand.
haven’t you forget sailfisch OS ? It is said to run android apps without beeing android , right ?
Sailfish OS is still a strong candidate for android substitute, I strongly still hope so! (when ? tell me !)
Android apps can be retrieved even by download e.g. from apkpure without a so called “store”
As far as I know the community build of Sailfish OS will not have the needed components to run Android apps (alien dalvik).
I think some kind of license from Jolla is needed to use this feature.
you have forgot their focus on the “marketing”. In my view marketing is the only point which is already working really good at fairphone.
Phone OS: Old-“stable” Version, still with bugs, Still no official Google-Free Version. Sailfish Firefox
Hardware: proximity sensor Problems problems all around. Spots on the Display, when the view is white.
Marketing: Everything fine.
I’m afraid that this way of “Old-Software” will kill the Fairphone Idea. In my local Hackerspace at the beginning everyone was extremely interested in a FP2, now everyone sees how bug-fixing und developing work at Fairphone and they buy Samsung,Wileyfox or Asus. More Money for older Hardware is not a Probleme, no Customroms, still no FFOS-Version, slow bugfixes is one. Hope they see this Problem and they get off the ground.
Is there any kind of update for this available? I’m a little bit reluctant to buy a new phone if it is already clear that it will never receive an update to Android 6 (which imho includes quite important features compared to android 5)
Manufacturers probably want average users to believe that they need to buy a new phone to have a new OS. Basically because they SPEND money on developping an OS, and GET money on sending new devices.
With usual mainstream manufacturers, I’m used to have to rely on communities for updates.
For my Desire HD, HTC provided versions up to Froyo (2.2). Today it’s running KitKat (4.4), but only thanks to an alternative ROM found on XDA.
I would really love if FP could be different, but is that likely ?..
What makes me more optimistic is ourselves as a strong community.
My kid’s 2011 Samsung Galaxy SII is happily running Android Lollipop thanks to CyanogenMod, and I know there exists a Marshmallow version for it as well. However I believe that OS upgradeability should be firmly integrated in FP’s ambition for longevity and sustainability.
I think of it that way - and forgive me if you don’t find the comparison suitable - A 2007 Windows Vista laptop can usually run Windows 7, 8 and 10.
Sony just happens to have a lot of developers.
Firefox 
In my local Hackerspace at the beginning everyone was extremely interested in a FP2, now everyone sees how bug-fixing und developing work at Fairphone and they buy Samsung,Wileyfox or Asus. More Money for older Hardware is not a Probleme, no Customroms, still no FFOS-Version, slow bugfixes is one. Hope they see this Problem and they get off the ground.