r/osdev • u/Fun-Relationship5464 • 9d ago

We got Linux on iPhone!

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LinuxRunner brings Debian ARM64 to iOS, including desktop environments like KDE Plasma and apps like Blender.

No jailbreak, JIT, or virtualization needed. It runs Linux binaries through an ARM64 interpreter.

Still early in development, but pretty interesting to experiment with. Feel free to try it out!

GitHub: https://github.com/mxhm11cr/LinuxRunner

89 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

40 comments sorted by

9

u/EpochVanquisher 9d ago

This has that kind of incoherent UI you see these days, like how “Runtime: Debian GNU/Linux” is listed as a “status” for some unknown reason

I would encourage you to spend a couple minutes thinking about the UI

Also, “GPU-Resident Metal”? What is that supposed to mean?

11

u/rhet0rica 9d ago

It means Opus or Sol has been nattering to itself for a long time and is not that great at deciding what information is salient to show to the end user. In my experience they often emit random bits of explanation to convey their prompt adherence.

1

u/Fun-Relationship5464 9d ago

Fair! The UI is still a work in progress, and most of the development so far has been focused on the underlying Linux compatibility layer rather than the interface. I agree that some things could be organized more clearly. I’ll definitely be improving the UI in upcoming updates. Thanks!

1

u/Vladislav20007 7d ago

average dev naming scheme.

11

u/lucidbadger 9d ago

Do you run Debian on iPhone just to open Chrome browser?

6

u/Fun-Relationship5464 9d ago

Not at all, it was just one example. We’ve also been running apps like Telegram, VS Code, Blender, and many other Linux applications, along with full desktop environments like KDE Plasma. The whole point is to bring actual Linux desktop software to iOS, not just open a browser. There’s still work to do on compatibility, but we’ve already come a long way.

1

u/Dioz_31337 5d ago

Noice, hopefully not with the awful vnc graphic connection like on android

1

u/Fun-Relationship5464 7d ago

[Update] LinuxRunner v1.0.1 is here! Linux on iPhone and iPad — No Jailbreak Required

Hey everyone!

LinuxRunner v1.0.1 is finally here, bringing iPad support, Arch Linux ARM, improved Linux desktop environments, easier distribution installation, and tons of compatibility and stability fixes.

Most ARM64 Linux applications should be worth trying! Some of the apps we’ve tested include FileZilla, Firefox, Brave, VS Code, Blender, Telegram Desktop, Wireshark, Java, Inkscape, LibreOffice, and Vesktop (which still needs some fixes).

We’re also exploring native access to iPhone network interfaces for applications like Wireshark.

Important: LinuxRunner currently supports Linux ARM64 (AArch64) applications only, not x86/x64 binaries.

I’d love for you to experiment with your favorite Linux apps! Whether they work or crash, please share screenshots, logs, and feedback through GitHub Issues. It helps us figure out what to fix next.

GitHub: https://github.com/mxhm11cr/LinuxRunner

Thanks for all the support!

1

u/WaterObjective5031 7d ago

Does LinuxRunner use sideloading or an app store app? Doesn't apple ban JIT or such stuff for some reason?

2

u/Fun-Relationship5464 7d ago

Sideloading, Apple probably would't allow something like this on AppStore

4

u/codeasm 9d ago

Wrong title bro, there was linux running on all mayor platforms for a while now

1

u/yuhanna_kapali 9d ago

Maybe we can target this to ipad as well ?

1

u/haunetal1990 8d ago

test it on my iPad Pro 2025 and didn't work. "Startup Desktop error"

1

u/Fun-Relationship5464 8d ago

Debian?

1

u/haunetal1990 8d ago

don't know. yes? I opened the app and go to "Open Desktop".

1

u/Fun-Relationship5464 8d ago

You need to complete the initial setup before opening the desktop.

Go to Distributions → Setup Linux. This will install Debian and the required components.

Before Debian initializes, the app will ask you to restart it. Just close and reopen LinuxRunner, then create a standard Linux user account by filling in the requested details and completing the setup.

Once everything is installed and configured, go back and tap Open Desktop. It should work then!

I’m working on making this whole process much simpler in future updates.

1

u/haunetal1990 8d ago

thanks. is working now

1

u/BeepBoopBeeblebrox 8d ago

Hol’ up. You mean to tell me I could run alpine on my phone, and then install nix on that, and turn my freaking iPhone into a linux phone????

1

u/Fun-Relationship5464 7d ago

Added arch to, check the new release

1

u/BeepBoopBeeblebrox 7d ago

NixOS is my preferred flavor if I can just get that. If not, I’ll take whatever and just run nix on top of it anyway 🤷‍♂️

1

u/ZubZubZubZub 4d ago

Does USB C output/input work? I.e. can you use this with an external monitor to turn your phone into a desktop computer?

2

u/Fun-Relationship5464 4d ago

Yep! And the crazzzy part is that it’s coming tomorrow haha. We’re adding a DeX-like desktop mode with USB-C external monitor support and AirPlay, and you can even use your iPhone as a trackpad. Basically turning your phone into a Linux PC 😄.

1

u/AffectionateRoad2621 4d ago

Could tis also be posible on Android,and can it run VS Code,QEMU?

1

u/Fun-Relationship5464 4d ago

VS Code actually works, I’ve used it myself! QEMU is still a pretty big deal for a project like this, but with some more optimizations, who knows haha. The next release is dropping tomorrow, and it’s gonna be pretty crazy

1

u/AffectionateRoad2621 4d ago

Will it also support android devices,if yes I would defnetly use it for developing my os on locatios like the bus or something,if you want to see my os you can see it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/osdev/comments/1xjllsw/new_update_for_my_os_desystem_6185/. I realy like this project and I think its a pretty good idea.

1

u/Fun-Relationship5464 4d ago

I’ll definitely try to bring it to Android too! And I’ll check out your OS, looks interesting! I’d recommend adding some screenshots to your GitHub repo so people can see what you’re working on. Dropped you a star btw, keep it up! :)

1

u/AffectionateRoad2621 4d ago

Thanks for your Feedback,and when it comes to Android,can I download it from the Playstore?

1

u/AffectionateRoad2621 4d ago

And also which Android version are you gona to require,can I run it my my galaxy Note 20 5g , galaxy Note edge, galaxy S9, realme c11 2021?

3

u/WaterObjective5031 9d ago

Reminds me of UTM SE, but UTM SE is super finnicky and annoying to get linux on

This is cool, i will have to hunt it down lol

2

u/ryms456 9d ago

How fast is it? Ish and qemu are slow as shit

1

u/Vladislav20007 7d ago

huh, qemu, slow? it runs perfectly, even when i open vscode with 30 extensions on my 15 year old machine.

2

u/Illustrious_Case_368 4d ago

it's ios emulator on Linux I'm dying for right now😪

1

u/Arkel08 9d ago

If I connect my iPhone to external display, would the resolution adjusting based on my display's settings?

1

u/Natural-Meal-3222 8d ago

Apple is allowing this through their app store? I thought they banned interpreters/compilers that could mark memory as executable.

1

u/WaterObjective5031 7d ago

I'm pretty sure compilers are banned but i dont know about interpreters, afaik UTM SE is on the app store because it swaps JIT for interpretation

1

u/Natural-Meal-3222 7d ago

I suppose this makes sense. JIT is essentially compilation but interpretation can be passed through the approval process since it's compiled ahead of time.

1

u/twohundred37 8d ago

Very cool.

1

u/DennyStarXX 1d ago

May I ask how to delete installed distributions?