Using Linux on your smartphone - here's how

Linux is a popular open source operating system that you can use for free on your computer, but also on your smartphone. There are several ways to install it on your smartphone. We will show you in this article how to get Linux on your Android device.

How to get Linux as an app on your smartphone

If you prefer to use Linux on your smartphone instead of Android, it is possible via app. To use this method, first download the two apps "GNURoot Debian" and "XServer XSDL" from the Google Play Store and install them on your smartphone.

1. After installation, launch the Server XSDL app. After that, also open the GNURoot Debian app and run the "apt-get update" and "apt-get upgrade" commands in it to update the system.
2. Next, please install the Linux desktop environment, audio output, and Synaptic package manager with the following command: "apt-get install lxde pulseaudio synaptic".
3. Finally, set your smartphone as the location for graphics and audio outputs by running the commands "export DISPLAY= IP address" and "export PULSE_SERVER=tcp: IP address", specifying the IP address of the device.

On the smartphone: How to use a Linux tool

If you do not want to install a complete Linux distribution on your smartphone, but only need a Linux terminal, this is alternatively possible by using a Linux tool. Available for free for Android devices is the app "Termux", which allows you to script, automate and execute various commands, for example to open the task manager, in the terminal. By installing additional extensions such as Termux API, you also get access to the hardware of your smartphone