NIX Solutions: Google Tests Linux Apps on Android

While many tasks are now browser-based, some still require installing apps unavailable on Chrome OS. To address this, Google offers Linux app support on Chromebooks. Although there are ways to run Linux apps on Android, these solutions come with limitations and lack official support from Google. Fortunately, Google is developing an official way to run Linux apps directly on Android.

New Terminal App as Part of AVF

Recently, Google engineers began working on a new Terminal app for Android. This app is integrated with the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF), utilizing a WebView that links to a Linux virtual machine (VM) through a local IP address. This setup allows users to execute Linux commands from the Android host system. Initially, enabling the Terminal app required entering a shell command and manually setting up a Linux VM. However, Google is now working toward making the Terminal a built-in Android feature for running a Linux distribution seamlessly in a VM.

NIX Solutions

Google’s progress is evident in recent patches marked “ferrochrome-dev-option” submitted to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). These patches introduce a new developer option under Settings > System > Developer Options called Linux terminal, which activates the Terminal app bundled with AVF.

Enhanced Features and Future Updates

Currently, using the Terminal app still involves manually configuring the Linux VM by supplying a Debian image and creating a configuration file (vm_config.json). However, Google plans to streamline the process by merging the existing LinuxInstaller app into the Terminal app. This update will enable the Terminal to download, configure, and run Debian automatically within a VM.

Google continues improving the Terminal app and AVF before releasing the feature. AVF already supports graphics and input options, and Google is working on additional features such as snapshot backups, nested virtualization, and support for x86_64 devices. Future updates will also bring more settings to the Terminal app, allowing users to manage disk size, set up port forwarding, and restore partitions.

Testing for these features has already been conducted on devices codenamed “tangorpro” and “komodo,” which refer to the Pixel Tablet and Pixel 9 Pro XL. This suggests the Terminal app will not be limited to Chromebooks, expanding its availability to Android tablets and smartphones, notes NIX Solutions.

Why Linux on Android Matters

While this feature may not appeal to general users, it offers significant benefits for developers. On Chromebooks, Google introduced Linux support to enable developers to run essential tools, such as Android Studio, the recommended integrated development environment (IDE) for Android development. The ability to execute Linux command-line tools securely within a container also enhances Chromebook functionality for development tasks.

Since most Chromebooks use x86-based processors, many Linux apps, including Android Studio, may not run smoothly on Android devices, which typically use ARM processors. However, the growing support for ARM-based applications will make Android more attractive for developers. This feature could also position Android as a more versatile desktop platform, especially as Chrome OS increasingly adopts Android architecture and frameworks.

We’ll keep you updated as Google refines and rolls out this exciting feature, making Android a more capable platform for developers and advanced users alike.