Linux @lemmy.ml Bicyclejohn @lemmy.ml 9 mo. ago

What are the best Linux emulators for android?

I have a Samsung a51 that I debloated, I want to use it as a Linux toy and get a distro running either installed or through an emulator like termux.

I want to run something like debian

Any recommendations for apps to use to get Linux running?

20 comments

You're already running linux. There is no such thing as linux emulator.

If you want to run debian - install debian. It eill be one hell of a learning experience.
- Yeah, Linux is just the kernel, and android a layer on top of it with a GUI, anyway you can easily have a terminal open on a cellphone or even from a PC do a "adb shell" command and you're in it, top, mkdir, cd, etc. If you are root, install busybox and all.
  
  I guess OP wants to install a full distro on his cellphone?
- Debian supports my device?
  
  Tjisb is I need a way to interact with it on the phoen alone
  
  Nah they're wrong debian doesn't support 99% of android hardware, most of which is proprietary and non reverse enginered.
  
  The best you can do is termux, but there are ways to get gpu acceleration depending on your hardware
  
  I don't use either (I just use the lightweight Terminux, don't get a full Debian environment), but either of the following should work:
  
  https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.dyndns.sven_ola.debian_kit/
  
  Debian Kit
  Install Debian alongside your system
  
  It's possible to install a complete GNU/Linux software stack on Android devices, e.g. by adding a chroot environment as others already have implemented. This kit does 2 things differently: Firstly, it installs a Debian file system side-by-side to the Android file system. In order to access anything that's accessible from Android also from the Debian side. And secondly, the Debian bootstrap is executed on the Device itself without any help of a larger PC, Android debugging bridge or similar.
  
  https://f-droid.org/en/packages/tech.ula/
  
  UserLAnd
  Easiest way to run GNU/Linux Distros on Android - no root required
  UserLAnd is an open-source app which allows you to run several Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, and Kali.
  
  No need to root your device.
  
  Use a built-in terminal to access your favorite shells.
  
  Easily connect to VNC sessions for a graphical experience.
  
  Easy setup for several common Linux distributions, like Ubuntu and Debian.
  
  Easy setup for several common Linux applications, like Octave and Firefox.
  
  A way to experiment and learn Linux and other common software tools from the palm of your hand.
  
  UserLAnd was created and is being actively maintained by the folks behind the popular Android application, GNURoot Debian. It is meant as a replacement for the original GNURoot Debian app.
  
  When UserLAnd first launches, it presents a list of common distributions and Linux applications. Clicking one of these then leads to a series of set-up prompts. Once these have been completed, UserLAnd will download and set up files required to start the task that has been selected. Based on the set-up, you will then be connected to your Linux distribution or application in a terminal or VNC viewing Android application.
Try using just Termux. You can actually do a lot with it, even without installing a distro. If you want Debian though, one approach would be through proot-distro which installs a traditional distro in the Termux environment. It has some limitations, check the wiki page.
Termux, proot-distro, and termux-x11 is the way. I got debian with xfce on my tablet
- I'm gonna do that too, would gnome be OK on my hardware? About 4 GB ram
  
  I would recommend xfce or other lightweight de/wm. Dont expect to game. I just use it for searx and ssh
  
  Probably best with a light weight DE
Termux from fdroid plus Andronix (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=studio.com.techriz.andronix)
Anlinux from app store
If by Linux you mean GNU (insert interjection here) then yeah, Termux is your best bet.
Think you can install a desktop environment on termux, there are guides online for that

Termux isn't an emulator though, afaik it's an actual distro that runs on your phone's existing Linux kernel alongside android
- It runs a lot like a container
  
  No it doesn't, Termux is just a set of Linux packages which are compiled to use the Android Termux application data directory as the base install path. There is no separation from the host system like a container does with Linux kernel namespaces. The only permission in Termux is what Android itself enforces.

You've viewed 20 comments.