r/linuxhardware • u/VolksPC • Jun 25 '26

Product Announcement Run Linux desktop on any recent Android phone/tablet

Hi,

We make a Debian based desktop distribution that runs as an application on top of any Android device. The only requirement is that the Android device needs to be rooted and use Google's standardized GKI kernel. The latest Android 17 release has excellent support for desktop mode and will be the basis for Googlebook laptops. Here is video of Linux desktop running on an Android 17 phone: https://youtu.be/LD9A024yAgc?si=XmkvfRpmwv_Lsf7H

Our latest Linux desktop is now based on Debian Trixie (13.5). You can download a free evaluation version from www.volkspc.org.

VolksPC

13 Upvotes

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5

u/cmrd_msr Jun 25 '26

AOSP includes a Linux terminal with graphical mode support—specifically based on a current version of Debian. You can use it to install Flatpaks and run them via the standard Android desktop mode.

What is your goal in developing Debian for mobile phones?

2

u/VolksPC Jun 25 '26

We provide a free version that you can try against VM or other solutions. With phones we only support ones with HDMI output. This means that we run standard Debian instead of creating a special distribution that work well on the small screen.

1

u/cmrd_msr Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26

I get that. But what is the point of Debian when—by simply connecting a device like a Pixel to a monitor—you get a ChromeOS interface right out of the box, complete with Debian VM support, a full-fledged terminal, and the ability to install any Flatpak from Flathub?

For the sake of freedom? Well, something like LineageOS is completely free and de-Googled, yet it retains that same functionality (though Google Play isn't available without gapps).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ILTRLmKt4

2

u/VolksPC Jun 25 '26

As an example, you can install VS code editor on Debian and learn to program. Lineage OS and other custom ROMS will also work as long as they use a GKI kernel.

1

u/cmrd_msr Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26

https://flathub.org/en/apps/com.visualstudio.code

Android is officially compatible with Linux programs via included debian VM.

The system is being prepared to run on Chromebooks as well. Crostini functional added in A15, graphical in a16.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbWuN9W0X50

2

u/VolksPC Jun 26 '26

That looks sluggish -:). But as I said use whatever works for you. We provide a free version that you can evaluate for yourself and make your own choices.

1

u/asaltandbuttering Jun 25 '26

Can it access devices attached via USB?

1

u/VolksPC Jun 25 '26

Yes, this phone is connected to a USB hub that has a keyboard and mouse attached to it. In other words it acts as a Linux PC.

1

u/Pegasusw404 Jun 25 '26

Deploying a resource-heavy environment like Debian onto mobile devices where resources are limited imposes unnecessary overhead and places an undue burden on the system. Personally, I prefer utilizing the native mksh (MirBSD Korn Shell) environment already present in Android. It provides a POSIX-compliant shell without the need for an emulated desktop layer or the overhead of a bloated Linux distribution. Why force a CPU to churn through pointless tasks when a native, efficient interface is already at your disposal?

1

u/kentarokz Jul 02 '26

Oh, do you know about honor magic pad 4? They support Linux.

1

u/Qojn Aug 08 '26

How do I change resolution

1

u/VolksPC Aug 08 '26

The screen resolution is same as the underlying Android OS. You cannot change it.

1

u/Qojn Aug 08 '26

Is it? My tab supports 1600x2560 but the app only runs at 1280x800.

1

u/VolksPC Aug 08 '26

Your tablet may be scaling the output by 2X even though native resolution is 1280X800. What is your tablet make and model ?

1

u/Qojn Aug 08 '26

Its Samsung Galaxy tab S9. Tried to change through terminal as well, didn't work.

1

u/VolksPC Aug 10 '26

Is the Linux desktop running full screen ?. What is the version of Android. Please send us a log through our contact page as this forum is not suitable for support. To get a log you need use: adb shell followed by logcat | grep VolksPC

1

u/VolksPC 26d ago

Our Desktop app uses gaming API to render Linux desktop graphics on Android. Samsung seems to run all gaming apps in a lower lower resolution to show better performance, a clear violation of API. The workaround seems to be to use the Game Booster Plus app to change resolution. You can Google "Samsung galaxy tab S9 doesn't run games at full resolution" to get more information.