The latest test version of Android 15 has a “Terminal” for launching Linux programs

Google introduced the Terminal tool in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1, which allows you to run Linux applications in a virtual environment on Pixel smartphones. Aimed at power users and developers, this feature aims to make the Android platform more attractive. The application is currently available in test mode, but its integration with the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF) opens up prospects for implementation on other devices.

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Приложение «Терминал» можно активировать в разделе «Настройки» (Settings) -> «Система» (System) -> «Developer options by enabling the Linux development environment option. Once activated, the Terminal icon will appear in the application list. So far, the program is unstable: it sometimes closes when starting a virtual machine, which emphasizes its limited functionality at the testing stage and the need for further refinement before a full release.

Image source: Android Authority

The addition of Linux Terminal to Android reflects Google’s long-term strategy to create a more productive work environment that makes the most of the computing power of modern devices. While top Android smartphones are powerful enough to run desktop apps, limitations such as compact screens and limited input options are still a hindrance. Google is addressing this issue by supporting larger displays and compatible accessories, making Android a more universal platform, and the Terminal app for Linux apps is a key step in that direction.

The Terminal app is powered by AVF, which was first introduced in Android 13 as a tool for creating a secure environment when compiling security-sensitive code. In Android 15, AVF functionality has been significantly expanded: the system now supports running graphical operating systems like Chrome OS. However, despite the improvements, Google has no plans to allow users to run Chrome OS on Android devices. Instead, the company will provide developers with access to a full Linux environment for working with Android-based applications, which will make the platform more flexible and versatile.

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Notably, the Terminal app became available in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1, and not in Android 16 as previously expected. The first details about Google’s plans to implement Terminal came thanks to changes discovered in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code. However, it was only with the release of the first beta version of Android 15 QPR2 that it became clear that the company intends to integrate Terminal into Android as a native app available for AVF-enabled devices.