How to Enable and Run Linux Terminal on Pixel [No Root]
In this guide, we will show you the steps to enable the Linux Terminal on your Pixel device and then run the desired Linux commands in it. Google has recently been on a feature-releasing spree, thanks to its Feature Drop program. The last one, in the month of March this year, blessed us with the Linux Terminal App. However, it didn’t get the attention that it deserved. Well, not anymore, as this guide will now put that feature in the limelight!
Using Android’s built-in virtualization capabilities, you can run one of the most popular Linux distributions, Debian . Unlike standalone terminal apps like Termux, this Linux Terminal runs in a virtual machine via the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF) . Since it is running in a virtual machine, it will be isolated from your primary device storage .
Downloading a file via wget command
Talking about its usages, well, from installing packages to retrieving information from the web or even simple tasks of creating and listing directories, you can now carry out all these tasks with ease. If you want to access any files via the terminal, then you’ll have to put them in the Downloads folder because this is the only storage that is accessible by the terminal.
However, since using Linux might not be everyone’s cup of tea, Google has hidden this functionality deep in the OS. So it’s time to unearth it and put it to the test. Follow along.
- How to Enable and Run Linux Terminal on Pixel
- Fix: Cannot Access Files Created by Linux Terminal
- Some Useful Linux Commands
- Launch Graphical Apps in Linux
How to Enable and Run Linux Terminal on Pixel
To use this feature, you should have a Pixel device running Android 15+ OS, and it should have around 600MB of free space. Likewise, to download Linux, 600MB of data is required, so make sure you are on WiFi. If that’s all well and good, then let’s get started with the steps.
- First off, head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times.
- Next head to System > Developer Options > Linux Development Environment.
- Now enable the toggle next to (Experimental) Run Linux terminal on Android.
- A new Terminal app will be placed in the app drawer. Launch it and hit Install.
- Once the installation is done, the Terminal will boot into Debian automatically.
- You may now execute the desired Linux commands in it. Let the coding begin!
Fix: Cannot Access Files Created by Linux Terminal
The files created or modified by Linux Terminal will be stored under/home/droid, which you cannot access via any File Manager app [/home/droid exists inside a secure Linux VM which cannot be accessed by /sdcard]. So you’ll have to copy it to the Downloads folder first, aka the /mnt/shared/directory, using the cp command. All of this has been explained in the guide below, do check it out.
How to Access Files on Android via New Linux Terminal
Some Useful Linux Commands
Here are some of the useful Linux commands worthy of your attention [refer to this guide first before executing any of the below-listed commands]:
pwd: Prints the current working directory.
cd [directory]: Changes the current directory to the specified path.
mkdir [directory_name]: Creates a new directory.
rmdir [directory_name]: Removes an empty directory.
touch filename.extension: Creates a blank file
cat > filename.extension: Create a new file and add content to it. Hit Ctrl+D to save it.
cat [file_name]: View the contents of a file
cp [source] [destination]: Copies files or directories.
mv [source] [destination]: Moves or renames files or directories.
rm [file/directory]: Deletes files or directories.
clear: Clear the terminal.
touch [file_name]: Creates an empty file.
cat [file_name]: Displays the content of a file.
wget [URL]: Download files from the web.
df: Check the details of a file system.
Launch Graphical Apps in Linux
You Can Now Launch Graphical Apps in Android’s Linux Terminal
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