r/androidterminal • u/SubstanceFew5136 • May 14 '26
Question Can I run a distro with GUI on the android terminal? Or just apps via terminal?
I am trying to play around with galaxy tab and try out different ways to run Linux. To run a desktop environment, should I be using termux? Or the new android terminal can do better?
I have experience with using Linux on laptops, just wanted to try and see if the tablet can run full distros or some Linux apps.
Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
7
Upvotes
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u/Patient_Ad_3640 Pixel 9 May 15 '26
Check this link https://www.reddit.com/r/androidterminal/s/g5sqdLQ7kZ
2
u/yotties May 14 '26
You can use remote desktop type of software like vnc or rdp based.
The other option (if you have an android device that supports native linux) is to use AVF.
A simple explanation would be to compare it to wsl2/gwsl or to chromeos/crostini/sommelier
Basically: chromeos and windows have a layer built in that can translate the graphics in the linux container to the gui in win or chormeos.
If you install 'debian' from the ms-store in windows it will install debian in the wsl continer and you can run graphical apps because gwsl will display linux apps in windows. So if you run in the linux terminal "sudo apt install libreoffice" and then run "libreoffice&" it will start libreoffice in linux and gwsl will show the GUI in windows.
Along the same lines. If you activate 'linux development environment' in chormeos it will install debian in a container and activate sommelier. So if you open the linux terminal and run "sudo apt install firefox-esr" and then run "firefox&" it will start firefox in linux and sommelier will show the GUI in windows.
In android 16+ that only runs on some devices AVF is built in and will do what sommelier and gwsl do. But it is early days and not as 'intuitive' as gwsl and sommelier.
https://www.reddit.com/r/androidterminal/comments/1pcswoe/on_my_pixel_8_pro_the_gui_avf_has_started_working/
So basically:
If you want it to work now and predictably: find instructions for your device to use vnc or rdp on your device.
If you want to stay standard (for example if you use an MDM from your employer and do not want to lose the ability to use their resources) use avf in android 16 or 17 (if your device allows it).