UserLAnd - Linux on Android

In-app purchases
4.3
15.4K reviews
1M+
Downloads
Content rating
PEGI 3
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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
Updated on
Apr 6, 2025

Data safety

Safety starts with understanding how developers collect and share your data. Data privacy and security practices may vary based on your use, region, and age. The developer provided this information and may update it over time.
No data shared with third parties
Learn more about how developers declare sharing
No data collected
Learn more about how developers declare collection

Ratings and reviews

4.3
14.2K reviews
A Google user
June 9, 2019
Excellent, although would be nice to be able to disable the overlay for meta keys "tab, ctrl,..." when there is a Bluetooth keyboard connected. Ideally linked to the visibility of the Android keyboard overlay as that would then match. Terminal font size would be another good feature... my screen is quite big, so could do with smaller font. Runs Emacs quite nicely, using Git to manage file versioning and sync...
34 people found this review helpful
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Tim Baverstock
August 22, 2023
Pretty good, but why does it need a connection to download asset lists if the session is already installed and otherwise working?! Surely it's all local by then? I can sidestep poor connection issues by setting airplane mode, but perhaps display a countdown and a 'skip' button so someone else doesn't have to work that out?
32 people found this review helpful
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Leo Schwanke II
March 18, 2025
It works great! Just, don't try to download the operating system with your VPN on. I tried that and after nearly 12 hours of the downloads sitting at 0% I decided to switch off my VPN and I was able to quickly and easily download and run Kali Linux and Debian. It blows my mind how far technology and application have advanced. Thanks for this. I need to use Kali Linux for my degree, and hopefully my upcoming career.
25 people found this review helpful
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What’s new

Many feature improvements and bug fixes related to accessing files outside of UserLAnd
Restore access to /sdcard/Android/data/tech.ula
Support more system calls unlink/faccess/faccess/fstatat
Don't prompt for access to /sdcard/Download sub dir, as that is not allow, but do prompt for /sdcard/Download/subdir