Key data for the van
- WayDroid lets you run a complete Android system on Linux with Google Play Services so you can install your favorite apps.
- You can install it on most major Linux distributions, but be sure to select the “GAPPS” type of Android while setting up WayDroid. You will also need to certify your device by visiting Google’s website.
- Once you get the certificate, launch WayDroid and open the Play Store to start installing apps.
Want to run Android apps on your Linux desktop? Learn how to use WayDroid to turn your Linux desktop or laptop into a powerful Android app.
What is WayDroid?
WayDroid is a container-based tool that allows running a complete Android system inside a Linux desktop. It does this with Linux namespaces, effectively using the Linux kernel. Simply put, namespaces are a feature that helps isolate and separate parts of a computer so that each part can run independently as if it were the only part on the computer.
If you’re trying to run Android apps on Linux, WayDroid is the way to go, and former “Android on Linux” tools like Anbox recommend it. WayDroid is compatible with a wide range of Linux distributions and CPU architectures. Additionally, it uses Android’s Mesa technology to enable efficient GPU pass-through from the container to the host system, which improves the performance of graphics applications, ensuring a smooth user experience.
Setting up WayDroid in no time
To get started with WayDroid on your Linux desktop or laptop, open a terminal window. You can do this by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard or by searching for “Terminal” in your Linux application menu. Follow the steps below to install WayDroid:
Ubuntu or Debian installation
For users on Ubuntu, Debian or derivatives, start by installing the “curl” tool, which is necessary to run the official WayDroid installation script. First install curl:
sudo apt install curl
After installing curl, run the official WayDroid installation script with curl:
curl -s https://repo.waydro.id/ | sudo bash
Once the script is complete, install the WayDroid package:
sudo apt install waydroid
WayDroid on other Linux distributions
WayDroid enjoys wide support on various Linux platforms. While the installation script primarily targets Ubuntu and Debian-based systems, other distributions can run WayDroid. If you want to install WayDroid on your Linux device, search for WayDroid packages on Pkgs.org to find compatible installation options.
If you can’t find a package to install WayDroid on your system at Pkgs.org, consider checking the official WayDroid documentation for information on how to get it running on your Linux workstation.
The WayDroid experience
WayDroid stands out as an excellent tool for Linux, especially as it helps you get the best out of your device by enabling the integration of Android apps into the Linux environment. Unlike many alternatives that offer Android compatibility, WayDroid stands out for its ease of use and system integration.
Installing Android apps with WayDroid on Linux
To enjoy Android apps on Linux through WayDroid, first open WayDroid from the Linux apps menu. The “Initialize Waydroid” window will appear on first boot. When the “Initialize WayDroid” window is open, go to the “Android Type” option and select “GAPPS” to integrate Google Play Services. Press the “Download” button to start downloading and installing your Android container. This could take some time, so patience is key.
After installation, click “Done” in the “Initialize WayDroid” window to start WayDroid Android. On first launch, a notification may indicate that the device is not certified to run Google Play applications. Now you need to certify your Android device. Certification is required because without it you cannot install Android apps on WayDroid via the Google Play Store.
Open the terminal and enter sudo waydroid shell. Run the command to display your device’s Android ID:
ANDROID_RUNTIME_ROOT=/apex/com.android.runtime ANDROID_DATA=/data ANDROID_TZDATA_ROOT=/apex/com.android.tzdata ANDROID_I18N_ROOT=/apex/com.android.i18n sqlite3 /data/data/com.google.android.gsf/databases/gservices.db "select * from main where name = 'android_id';"
Once you find your ID, you need to send it to Google for device verification. To do this, visit Google’s “Uncertified” page and enter the code displayed on your terminal. With your Android device registered with Google, restart WayDroid using terminal commands waydroid session stop and then start waydroid session following that.
Now you can install Android apps. To get started, open the Play Store app inside WayDroid, sign in with your Google account.
After signing in, you can search the Google Play Store for your favorite apps.
Just select “Install” to download it directly to your Linux system.
WayDroid is a great tool for running Android apps on Linux, and most apps run pretty well on the platform. Try WayDroid and install your favorite apps with it. Once you do, you’ll find WayDroid a valuable addition to your Linux desktop.