How to Install Ubuntu on Android Using Termux

Installing Ubuntu on an Android device can be an intriguing way to run a full Linux environment on your smartphone or tablet. Termux, a powerful terminal emulator and Linux environment for Android, facilitates this process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up Ubuntu on Android using Termux.

Prerequisites

1. Android Device:  Ensure your device has sufficient storage and RAM.

2. Termux App: Install Termux from the Google Play Store or F-Droid.

3. Storage Space: Ubuntu installation will require several gigabytes of free space.

 Steps to Install Ubuntu on Android

 1. Install Termux

Download and install Termux from Google Play Stor or F-Droid

2. Update Termux Packages

Open Termux and update the package list and upgrade existing packages:

pkg update && pkg upgrade

3. Install Required Packages

Install necessary packages for Ubuntu installation:

pkg install wget proot tar

 4. Download and Install Ubuntu Script

Download a script to automate the Ubuntu installation process. The most popular script for this purpose is `Andronix`. Run the following commands:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AndronixApp/AndronixOrigin/master/Termux/Ubuntu/ubuntu.sh

chmod +x ubuntu.sh

5. Run the Ubuntu Installation Script

Execute the downloaded script to start the installation:

./ubuntu.sh

The script will download and set up Ubuntu. This process may take some time, depending on your internet speed and device performance.

6. Start Ubuntu

Once the installation is complete, you can start Ubuntu with:

./start-ubuntu.sh

You’ll enter a chroot environment where you can interact with Ubuntu.

7. Set Up Your Ubuntu Environment

After starting Ubuntu, update the package list inside your Ubuntu environment:

apt update

You can then install additional software as needed using the `apt` package manager.

8. Accessing Ubuntu

To access your Ubuntu environment later, open Termux and run:

./start-ubuntu.sh

To exit the Ubuntu environment, type `exit` and return to the Termux prompt.

Tips and Troubleshooting

Storage Issues: Ensure you have ample free space on your device. Ubuntu installations can be large.

Performance: Ubuntu on Android might be slower than running directly on a PC due to hardware limitations.

Permissions: If you encounter permission errors, ensure Termux has the necessary permissions in your Android settings.

Conclusion

With Termux, installing Ubuntu on your Android device is straightforward and provides a robust Linux environment for development or learning purposes. Follow these steps, and you’ll be running Ubuntu on your Android device in no time.