For those who navigate the realms of both Linux and Android, the desire to seamlessly integrate these platforms is a common one. While various applications facilitate synchronization, the allure of running Android apps directly on a desktop is undeniable. Enter Waydroid, a tool that creates a virtual environment for Android applications, allowing users to access the Google Play Store and enjoy their favorite apps as if they were on an Android tablet.
How to install and use Waydroid
What you’ll need: To embark on this journey, ensure you have a functioning Linux system—specifically, Ubuntu Desktop 24.04 in this instance—a valid Google account, and user privileges that include sudo access. It’s crucial to note that this installation must occur on a physical machine rather than a virtual one, as network access is essential for the process to succeed.
With the prerequisites in place, let’s dive into the installation process. Begin by logging into your Linux desktop and opening a terminal window.
The first step involves installing necessary dependencies. Input the following command:
sudo apt install curl ca-certificates -y
Next, add the Waydroid repository using this command:
curl https://repo.waydro.id | sudo bash
Now, proceed to install the Waydroid application with:
sudo apt-get install waydroid -y
Open and register Waydroid
With Waydroid successfully installed, navigate to your desktop menu and launch the application. Upon opening, ensure you select GAPPS from the Android Type drop-down menu. Opting for Vanilla will restrict access to Google Play Services, thus limiting your ability to install apps from the Play Store. After making your selection, click Download. The download process may take some time, and once it concludes, simply click Done to close the app.
Re-open Waydroid
Return to your menu and open the Waydroid app again. It may take a moment, but soon you will be greeted by a virtual Android environment that is still in the process of being set up.
Retrieve your Android ID
At this stage, the device is not yet trusted, which is necessary for utilizing the Google Play Store. To establish trust, you need to retrieve your Android ID. Go back to the terminal window and enter the following command:
sudo waydroid shell
You will now find yourself in a different shell with a new prompt. To locate your Android ID, execute:
<pre class="c-shortcodeCodeSnippetcode”>ANDROIDRUNTIMEROOT=/apex/com.android.runtime ANDROIDDATA=/data ANDROIDTZDATAROOT=/apex/com.android.tzdata ANDROIDI18NROOT=/apex/com.android.i18n sqlite3 /data/data/com.google.android.gsf/databases/gservices.db “select * from main where name = “android_id”;”
A random string of numbers will appear; copy this ID to your clipboard.
Register your device
With your Android ID in hand, head over to the Google Uncertified Page and paste the ID you just retrieved. Confirm that you are not a robot and click Register. After completing this step, close and reopen Waydroid, and your device will now be registered. You are ready to explore and run all the Android apps you desire.
