Android will soon be able to run Linux apps

Google is preparing a new way for users and developers to work with Linux apps and distributions on Android. In the near future, it will be possible to run applications designed for operating systems Ubuntu, Debian and others on the Linux kernel directly on Android smartphones thanks to the built-in virtualization system and the updated Terminal application.

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Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman discovered changes in the Android Open Source Project code that indicate Google plans to integrate Linux support into the Android infrastructure. The company’s developers have already begun work on a new terminal that will use the Android Virtualization framework to launch a Linux virtual machine and execute commands.

The application is currently in early development and requires manual configuration of a Linux virtual machine, including downloading a Debian image and control file. However, according to AOSP commits, Google intends to greatly simplify this process by embedding the LinuxInstaller utility directly into the Terminal application, which will make downloading, setting up and running distributions much easier.

In addition, future updates plan to add backup and restore functionality for virtual machine snapshots, support for nested virtualization (to allow virtual machines to run inside other virtual machines), and provide compatibility with both ARM and x86 architectures.

Google also plans to expand the functionality of the Terminal app itself, which currently only has basic capabilities such as copying the IP address of a virtual machine and disabling it. Future versions will include settings for resizing the disk, configuring port forwarding, and possibly restoring partitions.

Although for most users there is little need to run Linux applications on Android, for developers it can be a real breakthrough. The ability to use Linux tools, command utilities, and apps like Android Studio directly on Android devices can greatly enhance the platform’s appeal. It is noted that as Chrome OS increasingly integrates with Android, the presence of a full-fledged Linux environment on smartphones, tablets and laptops can strengthen Android’s position as a platform for desktop development.

There is no exact release date for the Terminal app and support for Linux virtualization yet, but Mishal Rahman suggests that these features may appear in Android 16.