Linux on Android
Linux on Android
I'm currently messing around with Termux and trying to install Linux through AnLinux, Andronix and UserLAnd just for fun.
I have mixed success in AnLinux. I successfully installed and started Lubuntu but it was running pretty slowly. I wasn't able to replicate the install a while later. Also I totally failed to get ArchLinux running.
Now I'm trying Andronix. Wish me luck!
Do you have any experience running a Linux on your mobile?
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Termux by itself can be a good linux shell standin if you're used to working from a command line. I like using it for vim or emacs-nox more than I like any android text editor apps that I've tried. Plus, Midnight Commander is a top notch file manager.
You can also use termux with a graphical interface.
Neat! That could be very useful for everything that works well within the limitations of vnc.
Edit: I've tried this out! I loosely followed the guide on a Kindle Fire and I'm much more impressed with the results than I thought I would be. No Libreoffice in the default repository, but I'm impressed with the responsiveness while running Abiword in XFCE4. Initial impression is that the app selection is hit or miss relative to running full-bore linux on a desktop computer, but I'm still experimenting. Firefox installs and I was surprised to see that youtube videos were playable to an extent. Much less laggy than trying to run vnc between two separate devices. I'll probably keep this setup if for no other reason than to have a desktop version of firefox on my tablet.
You can also install a distro using proot-distro and connect to it with vnc. https://wiki.termux.com/wiki/PRoot
I'm trying Debian right now and it seems to work fine.
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Interesting. I'll give arch a try when I get a chance for a second data point.
Edit: Okay, wow! This is definitely the route to take if you want a wide range of programs available for installation. I'm trying this out on another android tablet that I have around the house and it looks like I could potentially replicate my desktop setup. With something like this available, I can see why the Termux developers would keep their x11 repository trimmed down.
Getting the proot distro to output an x11 display to the vnc server seems to be a bit more challenging that I was hoping. If I can find a guide that helps me figure this out, I'll post a link here.
I have Debian working. When I just installed xfce4 it didn't work. Some error about not contacting settings server. But I tried installing xfce4 with tasksel (also selected graphic environment) and then had no problem at all. I've not tried wit other desktops. Also tried with Ubuntu and it worked just installing xfce4 without using tasksel.
I changed the version to Debian Sid and I've had no problems yet. I'll update if things change.
I'll play around with arch for a few days and switch over to debian if I hit a wall. I'm not in any hurry, so it'll give me a fun learning project re display output.
Please, share your journey.
@d4f0
@bismuthbob
Thank you for giving me more reasons to play with termuxJust be sure to install it from the F-Droid store. My understanding is that the google play version is no longer updated.