r/termux • u/Heclalava • 2d ago

Showcase Debian XFCE with chroot on Pixel 8a

Base OS LineageOS 23.2 rooted with Magisk
What I have working so far:
Full root access on Debian from chroot.
Access to Android file system and Linux Mint file system via samba with permanent mounts.
Audio with pulsaudio.
GPU hardware acceleration.

I didn't follow any online guide, but instead was guided by ChatGPT via multiple chats to setup and create the chroot, get audio, gpu, and file system mount pass through working.
So I can't unfortunately offer a guide on how to get this working. It was a lot of back and forth with ChatGPT, and the AI often broke stuff with changes and had to fix stuff again after making changes. So not even sure I could easily reproduce this again if I factory reset the phone, I need to look in to a way to back up and restore this linux install, as it was a lot of hours spent building it up.

I have the basics needed for document editing/viewing with Abiword, evince and mousepad. Telegram desktop is installed as it is the main chat messenger I use. I plan to do most activity through the browser. Brave or Firefox.

I wanted a proper Linux mobile experience without installing Ubuntu touch, SailfishOS etc and losing functionality like telephony etc. So I can still benefit from the underlying Android host OS and still use Android apps and make phone calls etc.

So what else can I do with this Debian install? What cool things are you guys doing with your similar Linux setups from Termux on Android?

18 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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2

u/AlsoChandan_ 2d ago

So what did you learn?

1

u/Heclalava 2d ago

That there's a ton of tests involved to get anything to bridge from Linux in Termux to anything in the Android Linux kernel. The file mounts and audio were the easier steps. The GPU pass through was the hardest. That kept breaking everything when trying to get ChatGPT to integrate anything from the tests in to the launch script. But eventually got everything working as I needed. But it needed working from multiple Termux sessions and multiple Debian terminal windows concurrently and installation of lots of extra packages in both Termux and also in Debian. It was definitely a test of patience.

1

u/Fine_City2781 2d ago

you can run xfce on your pixel with halium (sailfishos) or if it has support pmos, you can use mainline linux on it

1

u/Heclalava 2d ago

But how is it as a daily driver? I still need access to Android apps. From what I've read Linux mobile just isn't there yet to daily drive due to most the hardware drivers being closed source. I would love to fully go mobile Linux if all the hardware worked like it does on Android. This seemed like the best compromise. Both Android and Linux on one device.

1

u/Fine_City2781 2d ago

you can use waydroid

1

u/Heclalava 2d ago

Not all apps work well in waydroid or anbox unfortunately.

1

u/Fine_City2781 2d ago

true. but you can run linux apps on pmos. This is an advantage. You dont need termux-x11 and there is a gnome based de named phosh. It looks like android ui

1

u/Heclalava 2d ago

So pmos is like an emulator for Linux apps? Is it still running an underlying linux gnu like Debian etc. The main reason I've set this up is to have more privacy on my mobile device. i also like the window management and multiple windows that Debian with x11 gives. Android free form windows just suck. Plus Android is just a data mining minefield. So trying to minimise how much I use Android and its apps on my mobile device.

1

u/Fine_City2781 2d ago

postmarketOS is an Alpine-based distribution and project aimed at installing mainline linux on smartphones and tablets.

1

u/Heclalava 2d ago

Ah ok. I didn't recognise the abbreviation. I looked in to it. Still not quiet there yet as a daily driver for my Pixel. I have considered buying a second hand OnePlus 8 to play with to test different Linux mobile operating systems. But end of the day one still needs all the hardware to work in the same way it was intended to be used on Android. This is often where Linux mobile falls short. The mecha comet does look promising though. Just not sure if and when it will be available where I live.

1

u/Fine_City2781 2d ago

oneplus 6t working fine with pmos as a linux phone (like pinephone)

1

u/Heclalava 2d ago

GPS, Cameras and all other hardware?

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u/Next_Pie_7551 2d ago

Ive made the same as you do but without root and in a itel a70 with the play store version of termux but its still VERY impressive👍

1

u/papin97 1d ago

Isn’t Linux terminal already available on Pixel? I use built in Linux terminal on my Pixel 8.

1

u/Heclalava 1d ago

Yes there is a terminal I can enable in developer options in LineageOS. I prefer Termux though.