The Android Linux Terminal app has now become widely available for Pixel users following the March 2025 software update. This app enables users to access a portable version of a Linux desktop environment right on their smartphones.
Initially announced late last year, Google has integrated this native Linux terminal application into the Android ecosystem. It first appeared in beta builds of Android 15, but with the latest stable update, it’s now accessible to a broader audience of Google phone users.
To activate the terminal app, users need to enable the Linux development environment found in Settings > System > Developer options. After this, the Linux Terminal app icon appears in the apps list. On first use, users may need to download approximately 567MB, which can take a moment. Although some users, including myself, may experience initial hiccups (like it not launching properly on the first try), reattempting generally resolves these issues.
Once operational, users can run basic commands such as help, df, and free -m, along with many more advanced commands that Linux users might expect.
This terminal is based on Debian, one of the most respected Linux distributions. However, unlike other terminal applications like Termux, this one runs within a virtual machine using the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF).
The app does have limitations, such as the absence of GUI app support, which is a significant drawback. Future updates, such as Android 16, are expected to address this and provide more functionality.
While this Linux Terminal app may not revolutionize the smartphone experience for average users, it’s an important tool for developers and power users looking to leverage Linux capabilities on their devices for varied tasks.
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