Use this tag when your issue involves a Linux laptop/PC, or addresses Linux specific topics of your Android device. In the latter case, consider if other tags like e.g. 'command-line' or 'shell' might be better fitting. See the full tag wiki for additional details and hints.

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44
votes
1answer
2k views

What linux distribution is Android based on?

Did Google use some existing distribution (Debian, Red Hat, etc.) to create Android, or did they use the bare essentials (kernel, file system and some mandatory files)?
18
votes
4answers
784 views

How can I use shell commands and interact with the Linux system underneath?

Android is based on Linux and has a Linux kernel underneath. Is there any way I can use shell commands and interact directly with the Linux system? E.g. A shell app that has access to the Linux ...
16
votes
1answer
4k views

How does the Ubuntu Phone OS relate to the Android OS?

I've read that the new announced Ubuntu Phone OS was heavily inspired by Android, while not using Java and the Dalvik VM for its apps. However, it was also not clear whether it's a fork of the AOSP ...
16
votes
4answers
613 views

Is there a “Linux friendly” handset manufacturer for Android phones?

My current situation is this: I use Mac OS X at home and Ubuntu Linux at work. My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S. Whenever I want to update my firmware the intended way (i.e. using Kies, I am aware of ...
12
votes
2answers
8k views

How to install the official Android 2.2 (froyo) on Samsung Galaxy S without Windows/Kies [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: How do I upgrade Firmware on my Samsung Galaxy S without windows Froyo has been finally released for Samsung Galaxy S. The update seems to be only available via a ...
11
votes
4answers
636 views

Is Android based upon Linux?

Is Android based upon Linux?
10
votes
7answers
2k views

Stream Sound from Ubuntu to Android

I got tired of replugging my headset between a desktop and Android when someone calls me. Is there a way to stream sound from Ubuntu (I use Pulseaudio) to Android phone over wifi or usb?
10
votes
3answers
5k views

Linux program to transfer file from/to an android device?

Do you know if there is a linux program (possibly nautilus plugin) to transfer file from/to an android device? What is in my mind is a program which does "adb push", "adb pull", and "adb shell ls" in ...
9
votes
2answers
7k views

Is it possible to run Android applications on (normal) Linux?

Since Android is a forked Linux kernel plus software stack I am wondering whether there are any projects or ideas regarding creating a version of Android that can be added to a Linux system to allow a ...
9
votes
1answer
519 views

Lots of “Input/output error” after connecting Samsung Galaxy S2 via USB

I'm trying to connect my Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-9100, Android 2.3.4, I9100XXKI1) with my Linux box (Ubuntu 11.10 oneiric). I'm using the USB storage mode (Settings ➔ Wireless and network ➔ USB ...
8
votes
1answer
2k views

Nexus 7 doesn't have sdcard folder when connected to PC

I've just bought a Nexus 7. When I plugged it into my laptop, it shows the media folder, I want to access the sdcard folder just like the other devices. How to transfer files? I don't like to use ...
8
votes
3answers
10k views

How do you set up internet pass-through (reverse-tether) on linux?

I have an HTC Desire S that has the option to connect through usb, and use the computer's internet connection. This works fine on Windows, but I'm struggling to set it up in Ubuntu. When I plug in and ...
7
votes
1answer
399 views

How to get a more Linux like experience on Android?

Are there projects (e.g. ROMs) out there that offers a more Linux like experience on Android? Here are some things that I hope for easy installation on similar platforms shell access development ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views

Can you run Linux command line apps on Android?

I'm brand new to Android; in fact I've never owned one. But I'm traveling all this summer, and I'm very interested in doing some programming while I'm on the run. QUESTION: Is it possible to run a ...
7
votes
2answers
4k views

How to sync contacts and calendar with Linux system, without using Gmail?

How can I sync my contacts and calendar with a Linux system? I'd prefer to sync with my desktop, but setting up a server on the internet would also be possible. I want to avoid Google mail for ...
7
votes
2answers
741 views

Optimal Linux Distro to Install to SD card to use as USB-Bootloader for PC?

Many people install Linux-based distros on USB drives to use for, largely, basic PC troubleshooting. Has anyone tried installing such a thing on their Android phone's SD card? That way instead of ...
7
votes
2answers
8k views

How do I set up a VPN from Android 2.3 to my home Ubuntu desktop?

I want to configure a VPN from my Nexus S (2.3.4) to my home Ubuntu desktop. Has anyone tried this yet? I would deeply appreciate tips on which VPN server to use (e.g., is openVPN support native ...
7
votes
2answers
5k views

Install Whatsapp on Android running under Virtualbox

I've just installed Android using Virtualbox on Ubuntu, and now I want to install WhatsApp on it. When I visit Google Play and try to install WhatsApp, it tells me that I have to associate a device ...
7
votes
2answers
753 views

Android phone not recognized in Ubuntu

I have an Android Phone (a Motorola Milestone) and trying to connect it to my Ubuntu Maverick (10.10). The problem is that i can't even charge it using USB, so there's no message on the phone nor on ...
6
votes
2answers
3k views

VirtualBox for Android

Since Android is based on Linux, is it possible to compile VirtualBox to run in Android? (End goal: Run WinXP as a virtual machine on my Android tablet). If not possible, is it possible to run WinXP ...
6
votes
4answers
169 views

What functionality is only available when syncing to Windows or OS X?

I'm considering buying an android phone (probably a Galaxy S variant). But I only run Linux (Gentoo if it matters). So, I'm curious what features work with Linux, and whether there are any features ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views

Install custom ROM from Linux on a LG GT540

I'd like to install a custom ROM on my LG GT540. It looks like that in order to enable fastboot and make the whole process a lot easier, a custom ROM must be installed the first time with a program ...
6
votes
1answer
226 views

Can Applications With Root Access Modify Their Own Permissions?

For rooted phones, there are several apps which require root privileges. Knowing this, the user does allow the app to get root. Now, the app would have been installed with a set of x permissions, say ...
6
votes
7answers
9k views

Can't transfer file from Ubuntu to Samsung Galaxy tab 10.1

when connecting my Samsung Galaxy tab 10.1 (USB debugging off) to my PC running Ubuntu 10.10 the device seems to be mounted properly, but I can't transfer any file (I always get "Error creating ...
6
votes
1answer
134 views

Linux on Android and HW support

I see that there are some projects about installing Linux on an Android Device, but how is the Hardware support? If I install linux, can I have access to the hardware via Python, like in Android?
6
votes
2answers
533 views

Do you have to root an Android device to install Ubuntu?

Just as the title says. In order to install another ARM based Operating System or to dual boot your phone, do you have to have root access? I'm currently using a Motorola Atrix, not sure if that ...
6
votes
1answer
764 views

Sync contacts with ubuntuone?

It doesn't look like UbuntuOne has a sync app for contacts. Files and music, yes, but not contacts. Are there any workarounds to this? I've successfully avoided linking my phone to a google account ...
6
votes
1answer
129 views

How to use android phone as a login key to your PC

Is there a way to setup a Linux box to enable authentication by inserting correct android phone with correct software in it to allow user to login? So when there is a login prompt shown user should ...
5
votes
3answers
451 views

What are the limitations of installing Ubuntu on an Android device?

I'm looking at http://androlinux.com/android-ubuntu-development/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-android/ What are the limitations of this Ubuntu installation? Can I install anything that runs on Ubuntu? ...
5
votes
1answer
278 views

how do I get most of my standard linux utilities and commands on Android 3.1?

by standard, i mean just what users often get by default with one of the popular distros. for example, uname, finger, vim, tmux, etc. I have a galaxy tab 10.1 (android version 3.1, already rooted) ...
5
votes
1answer
584 views

Samsung GT-i9000 (Galaxy S), Android 2.3.6, MTP and Linux

Is it possible to connect this device to Linux workstation over USB using MTP mode? I've tried a few times using different tools but no success. GMTP just don't work, mtp-tools don't work reliably, ...
5
votes
2answers
545 views

Trying to get a PC to boot off a bootable SD card that is inside an USB attached Android device

First, I'd like to make myself look less a madman than I may have appeared to be. I wanted to have a bootable USB stick with me at all times, but it's less convenient because it's an extra object and ...
5
votes
3answers
293 views

Device recognized as ????? in ubuntu

Hello good people of stack exchange, I am having trouble setting up my Ubuntu 11.04 boot to use for app development on a hardware device. I have followed the instructions here to try and recongnize ...
5
votes
2answers
8k views

What are my options for connecting my Android to Ubuntu?

I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 running rooted Jelly Bean 4.1.2. My computer is running Ubuntu 12.10. Before, in Android 4.0, I simply plugged the USB in, and a notification would pop up, and I was ...
4
votes
4answers
4k views

Anyone have an alternative dowload site for a fastboot binary?

I'm working on rooting my android kernel and most sites list http://android-dls.com/files/linux/fastboot as the place to look for the fastboot binary. However, I've been getting a 404 (Page not Found) ...
4
votes
5answers
10k views

How do I get my phone to connect the internal SD by USB?

I recently rooted and upgraded my Samsung Galaxy S2 to version 4, ICS. Since doing so, when I connect my device by USB to my Ubuntu computer, only the 12GB internal storage shows up on my desktop and ...
4
votes
2answers
258 views

How is it that Rooting is always possible?

Having spent some time researching what actually goes behind rooting an Android phone, the main reason that leads to the ability root is an inherent vulnerability on the Linux kernel that leads to the ...
4
votes
2answers
244 views

App to sync PDFs between Linux laptop and Android phone?

I like reading research papers on both my laptop and on my phone. I'd love to be easily send a PDF to the phone while reading it on the laptop, so I can read it later on the subway or when I am ...
4
votes
2answers
467 views

Android tablet as music remote

I imagine a setup where I use an android tablet computer as a remote control for my hifi system - at least for selecting music. I have connected a low-power, cheap and small linux computer to the amp. ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views

How to Remote Control Android smartphone, if not in same subnet

I'd like to "Remote Control" my Android 2.3.x (Oxygen 2.3.2 ROM) from my PC. I know that there are VNC servers available and also apps like "Remote Web Desktop". This works fine, but only if the ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views

How can I root my Droid X with Ubuntu Linux?

My sanity is at stake here. I need root but I don't have access to any fancy proprietary OS. I'd appreciate any help.
4
votes
1answer
190 views

Syncing playlists between Ubuntu and Android smartphone

I'm looking for a simple and reliable way of syncing music playlists between Ubuntu and an Android smartphone. Some time ago I was using Banshee, but then it suddenly stopped working. My understanding ...
4
votes
0answers
75 views

Access to android usb port from chroot linux? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Android chroot ubuntu - is it possible to get ubuntu to recognise usb devices IS it possible to communicate over the real USB port of an android host when running linux ...
3
votes
2answers
296 views

Any “must read” docs for Linux-head buying an Android device?

I've decided to finally upgrade to an Android phone from my perfectly good N900 because Twitter open sourced the encrypted SMS messaging application TextSecure by Whisper Systems. I'll want vanilla ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views

Telnet from Linux to Android devices

I am attempting to telnet from my Ubuntu commandline to my Android phone and pad using the following syntax: > telnet 192.168.0.4 Trying 192.168.0.4... telnet: Unable to connect to remote ...
3
votes
2answers
459 views

How do I check if I have Cyanogenmod on my phone?

Is it possible to check using shell whether or not Cyanogenmod is installed on a device? In other words, something like uname -a (which tells the system Linux version and architecture). Can the ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views

Client-Server Android audio remote

I'd like to get a low power pc (arm or atom) running linux and control the music that it plays through an android app, effectively becoming androids version of Logitech's Squeezebox. I'd prefer not to ...
3
votes
4answers
6k views

Can't explore files on my Sony Xperia U using my Ubuntu 12.10 laptop

I previously used Ubuntu 12.04. When I connected my phone (Sony Xperia U) in MTP mode, I would be able to see it in Nautilus as a "SEMC HSUSB device" and browse files, copy files, and so on. Now, I ...
3
votes
1answer
211 views

Why do linux commands not work properly on android?

> adb shell sh-4.1$ ls -F -F: No such file or directory -F switch works fine on my Ubuntu. Why doesn't it work on android? Is there a way to make it work?
3
votes
1answer
420 views

Airdroid modifies timestamps of copied files

MTP does not work in Ubuntu so I am using Airdroid to copy photos off my phone (Galaxy Nexus) to my computer (Ubuntu 12.04). My problem is that the files downloaded via Airdroid all have modification ...

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