Linux in the App: Limits and Problems
Known limits of Linux in the app, fixes for common problems, and how to report a problem with the logs attached.
Known limits
- arm64 and Android 8 or newer only. Other devices use Termux. See Requirements.
- Sound plays, but there's no microphone yet.
- The first install takes 5 to 30 minutes. It keeps going in the background with the Linux is running notification.
- One distro runs at a time.
- Android 11 and newer: Linux can't see files that other apps put in Download/Andronix. Use Import or Send to Linux. See Android files in Linux.
- Firefox says its security sandbox is disabled. That's needed for Linux to run inside the app; Firefox can still only reach what Android lets the app reach.
- GPU acceleration is experimental, and can be slower on fast devices. See GPU acceleration.
- Safe mode can remove window title bars. See Black screen and safe mode.
- Home-screen shortcuts need a launcher that supports them. Most do; we tested Pixel and Samsung. See Linux apps on your home screen.
Common problems
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| The app says Linux in the app isn't available on this phone | It says why, and installs in Termux instead. See How the app checks. |
| The install stopped | Tap Try again. If it says "Not enough space", free up a few GB first. |
| The desktop stays black | Andronix fixes it by itself. See Black screen and safe mode. |
| A Linux command says to run it in Termux | Commands that manage installs (install, start, remove, update, backup) are done with the app's buttons here. Dev packs work inside: sudo andronix pack add python. Update packages with the distro's own manager; see Keep it updated. |
| No connection | The device couldn't reach the download server. Check Wi-Fi or mobile data, then tap Try again. Private DNS can stay on: Linux in the app looks up websites with it (since 10.1). |
| The download stopped | Tap Try again; the download continues where it stopped. |
| This device's date and time are off | Turn on automatic date and time in Android's settings, then tap Try again. |
| Opening another distro shows the one that's running | One distro runs at a time. Stop the running one first: Stop on its row or in the notification. |
Report a problem
The best way to tell us is Report a problem in the app: see Report a problem. For distros in the app, the report can attach your last failed install and its log ("Attach my last install"), with personal details removed. It shows exactly what it will send first.
The Report a problem buttons on the install-failed screen and on the black-screen and GPU sheets open the same report form, with the step that failed, or the distro, desktop and GPU state, already filled in.
You can also ask on our Discord, where the team and other users read along.
Settings for Linux in the App
The Linux section of the Andronix app's Settings - Run Linux, Android files in Linux, GPU acceleration and automatic problem reports - and the other settings that matter for Linux in the app.
Black Screen and Safe Mode
How the Andronix app notices a desktop that stays black and fixes it by itself, step by step, and how to use safe mode.