How to Install Fedora Linux on Android Mobile Devices

Team Workflows Fedora Magazine
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Article Summary:
How to Install Fedora Linux on Android using Termux and Keep Upgrading/Updating it to the Latest Versions

Article Description:
If you’re interested in running Linux on your Android device, you’re in luck! It’s possible to install Fedora Linux on Android using Termux. Termux is a terminal emulator for Android that allows you to run Linux commands and utilities on your phone or tablet. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of installing Fedora Linux on Android using Termux and show you how to keep it up to date with the latest versions.

Link to draft

Featured image or inspiration for one?
Yes

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Moved to the Magazine work flow since

  1. It’s a better fit there
  2. The draft is in the Magazine WordPress instance already
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Thanks Ben. Could I trouble you for an opinion on this one as a (former?) Fedora Magazine editor?

My inclination is to say that Fedora Magazine’s purpose is to promote Fedora Linux’s ability to run other software, not the other way around. However, there has been a severe dearth of contributions lately, so maybe “beggars can’t be choosers”? If it were showcasing Fedora’s ability to run on some exotic hardware (e.g. RISC-V), I’d be all for it. But this seems more like a promotion of Android Linux and/or Termux than it does a promotion of Fedora Linux.

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I understand the concern, but I think this is interesting. I’ve used Termux in the past, but I didn’t know it could be used to install full distro environments. I think it needs some additional editing, but it seems worth running to me.

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@rlengland: Care to break the tie? :slight_smile:

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I’m inclined to say why not. It shows Fedora Linux flexibility to be able to run on Android. It’s a unique process/situation that readers might find interesting if not immediately useful. It has a certain “cool” factor?

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Pagure ticket #208 opened to track this article.

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Hi there!

Thank you for sharing your feedback and opinions on my article submission. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns and provide further insights into the potential value of featuring Fedora Linux running on Android using Termux.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the purpose of Fedora Magazine in promoting Fedora Linux and its versatility. While I understand the viewpoint that the focus should primarily be on Fedora’s ability to run other software, I believe it is worth considering the current dearth of contributions to the magazine. In light of this, exploring alternative topics could help attract new readers and contributors, contributing to the overall growth of the Fedora community.

As someone who has been an avid user and evangelist of Fedora Linux since its inception, I have witnessed the evolution and adaptability of the operating system firsthand. Throughout the years, I have extensively used Fedora on various hardware architectures, including Intel, AMD, Power series processors, and recently, ARM processors. This experience has given me a unique perspective on Fedora’s flexibility and its ability to cater to different user needs.

By showcasing Fedora’s compatibility with Android devices through the utilization of Termux, we not only demonstrate its versatility but also highlight a fascinating and relatively unexplored use-case. The ability to access a Fedora desktop environment remotely via command line on a portable device like a smartphone opens up new avenues for productivity and convenience. This use-case has a certain “cool” factor that can pique the interest of readers and potentially attract a broader user base.

Moreover, expanding Fedora’s reach to these uncharted territories allows us to tap into new audiences and foster growth within the Linux and open-source community. By featuring this use-case, we have an opportunity to spark curiosity and inspire others to explore Fedora Linux in innovative ways. It aligns with the spirit of experimentation and customization that has always been central to the Fedora project.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that highlighting Fedora Linux’s ability to run on Android devices through Termux presents a compelling and valuable use-case. It showcases the adaptability of the operating system, appeals to a broader audience, and invites readers to explore Fedora Linux in exciting new ways. I would be thrilled to contribute an article that explores this topic in depth, sharing my experiences and insights with the Fedora Magazine community.

Thank you for considering my perspective, and I look forward to your response.

Regards,
Phani Adabala

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Thanks for the interesting article. But may be could you add some more important information.

  1. What happens to Android 13, if we install Fedora Gnome, will it remove Android? Or, it will not disturb the Android installation?
  2. Is it possible to go back to Android if we are not happy with Fedora on Android?

Also some screenshots could have been nice and instill confidence to attempt.

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Hi !

Your article is very interesting . It might need more step by step guidance as suggested by @lamyer

  1. To keep as much as possible within Fedora’s FOSS environment and not depending on proprietary store environment, providing the f-droid or GitHub link would be nice to have

  2. vi nor vim is not provided out of the box with termux. 8t must be installed first. Command line and steps would be welcomed IMHO.

  3. At last but not least: Desktop Environment and GUI
    Please detail how one should configure TigerVNC to use one’s Android device or other remote device, to access the device running termux and your script. As for now you have described the installation of the TigerVNC packages. What about it’s detailed configuration?
    We can’t use the Fedora documentation: TigerVNC :: Fedora Docs As it relies on systemd which is not fonctionnal within termux

  4. How to activate systemd and all dependent environment or use fedora without systemd, since in your article the initial process PID is NOT systemd ?

  5. How would one uninstall and remove everything that has been installed following your tutorial ?

Thanks in advance!