Latest Top Posts

here’s-how-i-use-gemini-gems-for-work-and-play

Here’s How I Use Gemini Gems For Work And Play

chrome-doesn’t-let-me-switch-google-accounts-on-my-phone,-but-this-trick-overrides-it

Chrome Doesn’t Let Me Switch Google Accounts On My Phone, But This Trick Overrides It

o

O

from-android-to-pixel-to-youtube:-this-week-was-a-mini-google-i/o

From Android To Pixel To YouTube: This Week Was A Mini-Google I/O

tax-season-is-the-perfect-time-to-save-big-on-an-annual-phone-plan,-but-what-are-your-options?

Tax Season Is The Perfect Time To Save Big On An Annual Phone Plan, But What Are Your Options?

Android’s Linux Terminal App Is Now Widely Available On Pixels, And Here’s How To Get It

Android Linux News Add Comment 3 Min Read
android’s-linux-terminal-app-is-now-widely-available-on-pixels,-and-here’s-how-to-get-it
Android’s Linux Terminal App Is Now Widely Available On Pixels, And Here’s How To Get It
android linux terminal app commands 1

Andy Walker / Android Authority

TL;DR

  • The Android Linux Terminal app is now widely available for Pixel users running the March 2025 update.
  • The Debian-based environment allows users to carry a fully fledged Linux instance with them, although it still lacks several creature comforts.

Late last year, we reported that Google is preparing a native Linux terminal application that would allow smartphone users to carry a portable version of a desktop distro with them. Since then, we’ve seen that very app roll out with Android 15 beta builds. Now, with the March 2025 Pixel update, a stable version of that app is available more widely for Google phone users running the latest stable version of Android.

The Linux Terminal app icon automatically appears once you toggle on the Linux development environment in Settings > System > Developer options. Once I activated it and tapped this icon, I was asked to allow a 567MB download.

Although the first time I tried to run the terminal on my Pixel 8 failed, it worked the second time. After cresting this speed bump, I was able to open the terminal by tapping the shortcut in my apps list and running basic commands like help, df, and free-m. Of course, you can issue far more advanced commands than this if you like.

See also  Save Big With These Amazing Samsung Gaming Monitor Deals

Notably, the Linux environment is based on Debian, one of the most established Linux distributions available. Unlike a native terminal app like Termux, Linux Terminal runs in a virtual machine via the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF).

Notably, the Linux Terminal app is devoid of a few features. GUI app support is perhaps the biggest shortcoming, but as our highly-entertaining Doom demo suggests, this functionality is planned for Android 16.

The availability of a Linux Terminal app on Android may not be terribly exciting or life-changing for the masses, but it’s a huge step forward for developers and power users who want to run desktop-level Linux applications on their devices for various purposes.

Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at [email protected]. You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it’s your choice.

Tags: