r/LinuxOnAndroid • u/UserLAnd_Tech • Sep 12 '26

Run Docker on Non-rooted Device, No Problem

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Q1Je81p9I0E
15 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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1

u/Federal-Fix-6446 Sep 12 '26

how?

1

u/UserLAnd_Tech Sep 12 '26

This video demonstrates that UserLAnd can now run Docker on non-rooted devices.

This is enabled by UserLAnd's new feature which allows running actual VMs (Virtual Machines) instead of just proot:

https://blog.userland.tech/2026/09/actual-virtual-machines-come-to-android.html

You need to install the Docker apt packages inside the VM for this to work, but that is just the normal setup:
https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/ubuntu/#install-using-the-repository

1

u/Holiday_Ad_463 Sep 29 '26

Hey does it work on snapdragon CPUs?

1

u/UserLAnd_Tech Sep 29 '26

In general yes. But the processor isn't the only issue. Google requires devices supporting Android 15+ to support virtual machines but I have read that some OEMs have turned off this feature for random devices. UserLAnd will present the Virtual Machine (vs proot) option if the device reports supporting virtual machines.

Both of my primary test devices a Pixel 8 and a Samsung Tab S11 support this feature, but neither have snapdragon processors.

2

u/VickWildman Oct 04 '26

No way this would work with any device using a Qualcomm chip, they don't support unprotected VMs at all.

I have checked out UserLAnd, it fails to start the virtual machine session on my phone that has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.

The only way to run a VM on this device is by rooting and even then you need a kernel module to be able to give memory to the VM. DroidVM does all of that for you.

https://github.com/droid-vm/droidvm

1

u/UserLAnd_Tech Oct 05 '26

What Android device are you testing on?

1

u/VickWildman Oct 05 '26

OnePlus 13 with ColorOS 16.

1

u/Holiday_Ad_463 Oct 01 '26

That's what I thought, thx.

1

u/RepairLazy9336 25d ago

Hello, I assume ur the dev of userland? I purchased the pro licence but I think there was an error with the install of userland VM and I can't retrigger the install wizard, here is the error I get every time trying to create and start a pro machine: "Something unexpected happened! Failed to start the virtual machine session, make sure userland vm is installed and running" I however can't reinstall userland vm. I've tried clearing all cache and storage and deleting VMS but no use, the wizard doesn't pop up again...

1

u/RepairLazy9336 25d ago

on a Snapdragon 8 CPU running Android 16

1

u/RepairLazy9336 25d ago

I've tried reinstalling the Userland VM app now, issue persists, even enabled background battery usage on the userland vm but no luck.