Running Linux on Android is possible! And for this you do not need a device with root-rights: all necessary software is available in the official Google Play store. In just 10-15 minutes you can get an operating system that differs from Android with enhanced functionality.
Note: if you follow our instructions, Linux OS will be launched in a virtual environment. Android will continue to run in the background. It would be wrong to call such a system complete. Nevertheless, she copes well with the list of standard tasks.
Before installing, close all unnecessary applications and clean up the memory of the Android device.
1. From the Google Play store, install GNURoot Debian and XServer XSDL.
2. Before installing Linux, make sure that your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Run GNURoot. The required environment packages will be downloaded.
Installation takes from 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the speed of your Internet connection. Do not pay attention to the running lines until the following inscription appears:
[email protected]: / #
Familiar with the concept of “root-rights”, this line does not scare: the application will not cause any harm to the device, since it works in the “sandbox”.
3. Type the following command:
apt-get update
Wait until the download is complete. This is indicated by the line Reading package lists … Done.
4. Now enter one more line:
apt-get upgrade
To the question “Do you want to continue?” Enter the English letter Y and press Enter. The installation of packages begins.
This time, the installation procedure will take a little longer. Patiently wait for the installation to finish before the coveted line appears:
[email protected]: / #
The Debian Linux environment is installed, and now you can proceed to the deployment of the graphical shell.
5. Installing all Linux distribution packages is done with the following command:
apt-get install lxde
There is also an option for installing the kernel of the system using the string:
apt-get install lxde-core
Confirm the setting by re-entering Y and pressing the Enter key. The procedure for downloading packages begins.
During the installation, make sure that all the files have successfully loaded, and when unpacking your device does not run out of free space. Otherwise, the start of the system will fail.
6. To complete the installation of the operating system, you must load three additional utilities:
- XTerm – for accessing the terminal from the Linux graphical shell;
- Synaptic Package Manager – for managing apt packages and downloading applications;
- Pulseaudio – for installing sound drivers.
All three utilities are installed using one GNURoot terminal command:
apt-get install xterm synaptic pulseaudio
The device will download about 260 MB of data.
7. Now minimize the GNURoot application and open the previously installed XServer XSDL. Agree with downloading additional fonts. After the installation is complete, tap on the screen several times (the application prompts you to choose the resolution and font size – it all depends on your preferences) until you see the splash screen with a blue background and white text.
Restart GNURoot and, alternately, enter the following two commands:
export DISPLAY =: 0 PULSE_SERVER = tcp: 127.0.0.1: 4712
startlxde
The sequence of the next restart of the system (when you want to open Linux again) looks like this: launch XServer XSDL and wait for the blue screen to appear, open GNURoot and enter the two above commands, go back to XServer XSDL.
If the terminal swears on an invalid command, return to step 5 of this manual and try installing the “bare” kernel. Check the memory status of your Android device.
8. Now open XServer XSDL, wait a few seconds – and you are ready for Linux.
To install applications in the lower left corner, open the Start menu and select Run. Type Synaptic and press Enter.
In the window that opens, use the search and install the necessary applications. This can be a Firefox browser, a GIMP image editor, a Libre office suite and other Linux-compatible programs.
Of course, this version of Linux installation can not be called a full-fledged launch of the operating system on Android. Virtual Linux has several limitations, but when using a wireless mouse and keyboard (you can connect using the OTG adapter and USB hub), you can turn a smartphone or tablet into a laptop with the functionality of an adult OS.
