New to Linux, I am on Ubuntu 24.04.

I am trying to have my phone calls go from my phone to my laptop. I did some online searching and found KDE connect. I can recieve and send texts on KDE connect but can’t call

Am I doing something wrong or should I use something else?

Thanks for reading

  • hendrik@palaver.p3x.deEnglish
    33·
    2 days ago

    I don’t think there is a way to forward cellular phone calls. You’d need a phone provider which provides that feature, like a Voice-over-IP provider. Or a SIM card in your computer. Plus the right phone contract.

    Kdeconnect can forward a lot of other things though, like SMS, files…

    I wish there was a way to hook into calls. But as far as I know they’re deliberately keeping that closed.

    EDIT: Actually, I’ve just tried Bluetooth (since someone suggested that) and that does just about that. I’ve used the standard Bluetooth pairing within the GNOME desktop, and now my Android phone lists the computer in the audio options of a call (where you can choose if it’s phone, handsfree or via a bluetooth device… And I can click on my computer name there, and it’ll then use the computer’s mic and speakers.

      • hendrik@palaver.p3x.deEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        EDIT: See edit in my previous comment on how Bluetooth can do it. I believe that’d work with any device that can do bluetooth, including iPhones.

        I suppose along an iPhone? I mean Apple does the whole ecosystem. And this isn’t really a technical limitation. Most phones have the audio stream connected to the processor. Theoretically they could forward it, or record it. But on Android, the often don’t seem to allow any of that, and Apple doesn’t allow third parties (like a Linux computer) to access “their” interfaces, so I don’t know if you can forward it to arbitrary computers either.

        I mean there are solutions. Other people here outlined that. For example mimicking a bluetooth handset. You could solder a cable to attach to a computer’s AUX input. Or use a landline or different service to manage the calls whithin a PBX. But none of that is very easy to set up or proper forwarding. Maybe the best bet would be bluetooth.