How to Run Linux on Android

Install UserLAnd, a free app from Google Play. Open it, tap a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu, choose a username and password, and pick Terminal or Graphical. A few minutes later you have a real Linux system on your phone or tablet, with no root required.

How to do it

Install UserLAnd from Google Play. UserLAnd is free, and no root is needed.
Tap Ubuntu. Open UserLAnd. On the Apps tab, tap Ubuntu.
Create your Linux user. Enter a username and password for Linux. If you want a graphical desktop, also set a VNC password (6 to 8 characters).
Choose Terminal or Graphical. Terminal opens a command line. Graphical opens a desktop through UserLAnd's built-in VNC viewer, and asks which desktop environment you want.
Wait for the download. UserLAnd downloads and sets up the filesystem. This takes a few minutes the first time; stay on Wi-Fi.
Start using Linux. You land in a shell (or a desktop). Install software with the distribution's package manager, for example sudo apt update && sudo apt install git on Ubuntu or Debian.

What you get

Six distributions: Ubuntu, Debian, Kali, Arch, Alpine and Fedora
Thousands of Linux programs, such as GIMP, LibreOffice, Firefox and Thunderbird, installed with your distribution's package manager
Terminal with your favorite shells, plus SSH access
Graphical desktops through a built-in VNC viewer
No root: install and uninstall UserLAnd like any other app
Free, with an optional Pro upgrade

What you need

An Android phone or tablet
Free storage space for the Linux filesystem (a few hundred MB to several GB, depending on what you install)
Wi-Fi for the first download

Get UserLAnd on Google Play (Free (optional Pro upgrade)) · Full guide and FAQ on userland.tech

Comments

What is UserLAnd?

UserLAnd is the easiest way to run Linux on Android. It is distributed through the Play Store. It does not require you to root your device. It is simple to use and powerful.

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