UserLAnd - Linux on Android

UserLAnd Technologies

In-app purchases

About this app

UserLAnd is an open-source app which allows you to run several Linux distributions like Ubuntu,
Debian, and Kali.

- No need to root your device.
- Use a built-in terminal to access your favorite shells.
- Easily connect to VNC sessions for a graphical experience.
- Easy setup for several common Linux distributions, like Ubuntu and Debian.
- Easy setup for several common Linux applications, like Octave and Firefox.
- A way to experiment and learn Linux and other common software tools from the palm of your hand.

UserLAnd was created and is being actively maintained by the folks behind the popular Android
application, GNURoot Debian. It is meant as a replacement for the original GNURoot Debian app.

When UserLAnd first launches, it presents a list of common distributions and Linux applications.
Clicking one of these then leads to a series of set-up prompts. Once these have been completed,
UserLAnd will download and set up files required to start the task that has been selected. Based on
the set-up, you will then be connected to your Linux distribution or application in a terminal or
VNC viewing Android application.

Want to know more about getting started? View our wiki on Github:
https://github.com/CypherpunkArmory/UserLAnd/wiki/Getting-Started-in-UserLAnd

Want to ask questions, give feedback, or report any bugs you've encountered? Reach us on Github:
https://github.com/CypherpunkArmory/UserLAnd/issues

Ratings and reviews

Between bVNC, XFCE, and UserLAnd crashing, I've had about 1 crash every 5 minutes in the first 45 minutes of use. I wouldn't care if it were completely free. However, if I'm going to pay $1.99 for FOSS, I expect it to be extremely stable. edit: Termux (specifically the version from F-Droid) is 100% free, more stable and has much better application support. Setup is slightly more involved but it's worth it!

This app works out of the box which is nice and having a desktop os on your mobile device is great for getting a PC browsing experience in Android. The fact that this app is free and doesn't require root just makes it all the better. Although, if you want Chrome instead of Firefox, a bit of finesse is required. Also, a feature I would appreciate for my Kindle Fire would be storing filesystems on your SD card. From what I hear though, incorporating that would be borderline impossible.

One of the best Linux on Android solutions out there. I use it to run PowerShell Core, and other tools. Easy to configure and run, in fact I configured it while I was on a bus! Recent update added improvements to horizontal cursor keys (which is very nice as Gboard does not have them) making it much easier, but external keyboard is recommended. I do like flexibility that it can be used either with keyboard or on the go entirely on the screen.

What’s new

Map the scoped storage directory found on your Android device at /sdcard/Android/data/tech.ula/files/storage to ~/scopedStorage in UserLAnd filesystem

Further fixes for access to file generically on /sdcard

Start promoting Pro Feature to support development
Right now this includes /sdcard access and fancier graphical desktops
But there is a bunch more coming