If you are a developer, tech enthusiast, or hobbyist, and want to run full-fledged Linux distributions on an Android smartphone, some tools enable you to do it easily. These tools run Linux distros in an isolated environment keeping your Android system safe from any inadvertent change or damage. Once installed, you can use these full Linux environments for development and testing. Or, one can also use it for tinkering with various tech-related tasks. In this tutorial, we'll see two tools that'll let you install Linux distros on Android easily. So, tighten your seat belts and learn to run Linux distros on Android.
Remember, installing Linux distros is a time-consuming process. So make sure your phone's battery is fully charged before you try to install one on your smartphone. It should be at least 80% at the start.
Also, make sure there is enough storage space and RAM in your smartphone. A 4GB RAM phone is not recommended. To generalize it, entry-level phones may not give you the best experience of Linux.
UserLAnd: Use Linux on Android
The first tool is UserLAnd which is open source and free to use. You can install this app directly from the Play Store. Let's see how we can install Linux distros through it.
You get a choice of several popular Linux distributions. You may also see options to install several other popular applications. But, do not attempt installing them until one of the Linux distributions has been installed.
After distribution selection, you'll be prompted to select the desktop environment. Select your preference and continue with the installation.
In the next step, you'll be asked if you want to boot into a command-line environment or prefer a graphical desktop environment. It'll be the default working environment on every boot.
Thereafter, the Linux distro's tar file will be downloaded followed by extraction and set up of the filesystem. It may take a few minutes, so be patient.
After installation is complete, you are booted into the default working environment you selected earlier in the setup phase. Now you can use it like a regular Linux environment.
The following features are worth noting about this app:
- Full-fledged Linux instance without rooting an Android device
- Choose between a terminal and a graphical desktop
- Easy to set up
- One-click app installations (e.g. Firefox or Git)
- Connect to VNC sessions for an external graphical interface
I've tested this app with an Ubuntu instance on a mid-range Android phone and the experience was seamless. There was no lag or performance degradation. Try it once!
Andronix: Linux on Android—Made Easy
Andronix is yet another powerful app to easily install the Linux distro of your choice on an Android smartphone. The first thing you'll notice about this app is its slick interface. Let's get started!
To start with, you get the option to choose between two types of Linux distros. One is the standard distributions available on the internet and the second one is Andronix's own modded OS built on other standard distributions.
The modded ones are highly optimized for stability and performance and are highly recommended.
If you opt for standard Linux distributions, you get several popular options like Ubuntu, Manjaro, Kali, and many more. I've tested it with the Ubuntu 22.04 distro.
Next, you have to choose between a command-line environment or a graphical interface. Developers often choose the former one while general users prefer a graphical desktop interface.
If you opt for the graphical interface, you can choose your preferred desktop environment. All the popular ones are available, so feel free to select the one you are most comfortable with.
After the setup is complete, you get a full-blown Linux working environment which is equivalent to the one you use on a desktop or a laptop.
Let's quickly take a look at its features:
- Highly optimized modded OS for a flawless experience
- A rich collection of distros and desktop environments
- Tightly integrated with Termux app
- Sync commands to access anywhere through the web interface
- Run Linux without rooting your Android smartphone
If you are looking for a stable and performant Linux running solution on your Android phone, this one is one of the best candidates. It ticks all the required attributes and works without any hassle.
Conclusion
Running Linux on an Android smartphone opens up a world of possibilities for developers, tech enthusiasts, and hobbyists. Whether you're using it for development, testing, or just exploring the Linux ecosystem on a mobile device, tools like the ones we discussed make it incredibly easy to set up and use. With a bit of tweaking, you can even turn your phone into a portable Linux workstation.
While performance may vary depending on your device’s hardware, most modern smartphones are powerful enough to handle lightweight Linux distributions efficiently. Plus, since these methods run Linux in an isolated environment, there’s no risk to your Android system.
So, if you've been wanting to experiment with Linux on your smartphone, now is the time to give it a try.
