- Many videos and scripts here are made by LinuxDroidMaster, the original creator of this forked repository On this page, you will learn to run Linux on Android easily
- First steps
- Termux native VS rootless VS Chroot
- [How to install a distro without root(#proot-distributions)
- How to install Chroot distributions
- How to install Termux Native Desktop
- Hardware acceleration in Termux
All environments are configured with XFCE4 Desktop but you can change it
| Rootless (Debian) | Termux | Chroot (Debian) |
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We are going to use Termux and Termux X11 in order to have a full Linux Desktop in our Android devices.
Basic packages you need to install on Termux:
pkg update
pkg upgrade
pkg install x11-repo
pkg install termux-x11-nightly
pkg install tur-repo
pkg install pulseaudio
pkg install proot-distro
pkg install wget
pkg install git
pkg install mesa-zink virglrenderer-mesa-zink vulkan-loader-android virglrenderer-android
When setting up Linux on your Android device, you have several options to choose from. Understanding the differences between them can help you decide which environment best suits your needs:
- Main video: Termux native Desktop
Termux refers to running Linux commands directly within the Termux app without any additional virtualization or containerization. It provides a lightweight and straightforward way to access Linux utilities on your Android device.
- Main video: Debian proot and basic Termux X11 installation
Rootless is a method that utilizes proot (PRoot is a user-space implementation of chroot, mount --bind, and binfmt_misc) to run a full Linux distribution inside a chroot environment. This approach allows you to install and use a wide range of Linux distributions without root access. However, it may have some limitations compared to native installations.
- Main video: Debian Chroot
Chroot is a Unix command that changes the apparent root directory for the current running process and its children. In the context of running Linux on Android, chroot is often used to create a separate Linux environment alongside the Android system. While it provides a more isolated environment compared to Termux native, it may require more advanced setup and additional tools.
- Termux: Simple and lightweight, but with limited capabilities compared to full Linux distributions.
- Rootless: Allows running full Linux distributions without root access, but may have some limitations.
- Chroot: Provides a more isolated environment but requires more complex setup and additional tools.
Consider your requirements and preferences when choosing the Linux environment for your Android device.
| Feature | Proot | Native | Chroot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needs Root? | ❌ (No) | ❌ (No) | ✅ (Yes) |
| Many Linux Apps? | ✅ (Yes) | ❌ (Limited) | ✅ (Yes) |
| Performance | Dependant 💼 | Good 🚀 | Good 🚀 |
- Needs Root?: Indicates whether root access is required for setting up the environment.
- Many Linux Apps?: Reflects the level of compatibility with various Linux applications without having to compile them.
- Customization Level: Describes the extent to which the environment can be customized or configured.
How to install rootless distributions: Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Kali Nethunter, Parrot OS, PostMarket OS
Click on the different icons to see how you can install the distribution of your choice. All of them have a video explaining the process
| Alpine | Ubuntu | Debian | Arch | Kali NetHunter | Parrot OS | PostMarket | Void |
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Click on the different icons to see how you can install the distribution of your choice. All of them have a video explaining the process
| Ubuntu | Debian | Box64Droid (Ubuntu) | Arch | Fedora |
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Click on the icon to start
| Termux Native |
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