linux-android is a shell script collection that turns an old Android phone into a GPU-accelerated Linux desktop environment or a Home Assistant smart home server using Termux, without requiring root access, a PC, or cloud services.
The project solves the problem of repurposing aging Android devices by automating the installation of a full Linux desktop or smart home hub directly on the phone. It works by providing two separate bash scripts: one sets up a choice of desktop environments (XFCE4, LXQt, MATE, or KDE Plasma) with GPU acceleration via Termux and Termux-X11, while the other configures Home Assistant for controlling WiFi-connected smart devices. The approach requires only the Termux terminal emulator and Termux-X11 display server, both installed from standard app repositories, and handles all subsequent package installation and configuration automatically.
Adoption suits developers and hobbyists with older Android phones who want a portable Linux learning environment, Python development setup, or self-hosted smart home hub without investing in dedicated hardware. The tool works on any 64-bit ARM Android device with 3 GB or more RAM, though Qualcomm Snapdragon processors deliver the best GPU acceleration through Turnip and Adreno support. XFCE4 is recommended as the default desktop for most users due to its balance of speed and features, while LXQt targets devices with limited RAM and KDE Plasma suits only high-end phones. Both the desktop and Home Assistant setups can run simultaneously on the same device without conflicts, and the entire installation completes in 10 to 45 minutes depending on the chosen path and internet speed.
The project maintains a single comprehensive script with clear documentation and a video walkthrough covering every installation step. Development activity centers on supporting multiple desktop environment options and GPU acceleration paths, with explicit hardware recommendations and troubleshooting guidance including a saved installation log for debugging.
