Debdroid – Debian on Android (v1.1)
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DebDroid is a project that allows running Debian on Android devices, sparking interest among tech enthusiasts for its potential to bring Linux capabilities to mobile devices.
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Oct 11, 2025 at 4:07 AM EDT
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Hello guys! I'm happy to share DebDroid, a free and open-source project that aims to bring a real Debian environment to Android devices. It is not Termux-based, nor a simple proot-based wrapper, but a real, near-native chroot environment running on top of the Android kernel.
The project is built around a heavily modified version of the Kali Nethunter's script I've developed 3 years ago. This new version (DebDroid) brings greatly improved security, isolation and additional compatibility patches. It's a project meant for tinkerers, hobbyists and power users.
Why not Termux?
Unlike Termux or Proot, which run Linux tools via Android-compiled binaries or user-space emulation, DebDroid runs a real Debian chroot directly on Android. It ships its own programs, libraries, patches and links key Android filesystems into the Debian environment, providing near-native Linux functionality and the ability to run almost any Debian-compatible program.
What for?
With DebDroid, you can repurpose an older Android device into an raspberry pi-style lightweight Debian server with near-native performance:
* Run a network-level NAT/adblocker
* Run web servers like `nginx` or `lighttpd`
* Host a small `ssh` or `sftp` service
* Use it for automation with `cron` or shell scripts
* Experiment with Debian packages in a isolated environment
* Run a X11 vnc server (WIP!)
Features:
* glibc-based. * Small and portable. * No external dependencies. * Runs a minimal Debian Linux userland in a isolated chroot environment. * Mounts key Android system paths to provide near-native Linux functionality. * Employs `unshare` to isolate Android mountpoints from the chroot environment. * Supports `/dev` overlayfs, creating a writable layer over device files without modifying the real `/dev`.
Notes:
* Works best on older Android versions (6–12).
* DebDroid is still experimental and intended for exploration, learning, and hobby use.
* GPU acceleration is currently not supported. (and might not even be possible)
Do not run DebDroid on your main (daily driver) phone!
Contributors and testers are always welcome!