Android may soon be able to run Linux apps easily

Android Phones to Support Running Linux Apps

For years, Chromebooks have had the capability to install Linux apps, given that ChromeOS is essentially a browser built on a custom Linux distro. Now, a new report suggests that Android phones will soon offer similar functionality to run Linux applications directly on the device.

The upcoming feature will be in the form of a Linux terminal integrated into Android’s Developer Options menu. The updated commits to Android’s open-source code in the AOSP repository were spotted by Android Authority. While running a Linux virtual machine on Android is currently possible, the new changes indicate that Google will provide it as a pre-configured system.

In the ideal scenario, users would simply need to navigate to the Developer Options menu, enable the Linux terminal, and proceed to download and install the virtual machine to run compatible Linux apps. Although it may not be as straightforward as downloading apps from the Play Store, Google aims to make the process as user-friendly as possible.

The testing of these tools on a Pixel Tablet and Pixel 9 Pro XL phone suggests that they may be included in an upcoming Android build, possibly version 16 slated for release in late 2025. However, there is always a possibility of Google delaying or abandoning these changes.

While some speculate that Google may not be eager to expand Android’s software capabilities drastically, power users are likely to welcome the support for running a Linux VM on their Android devices. This enhancement, if delivered promptly, will benefit those who seek to maximize the potential of their devices.