How to Install a Desktop Environment in Termux

Termux is a powerful terminal emulator and Linux environment app for Android devices, allowing users to run a variety of Linux distributions and commands directly from their phones. While Termux itself is a command-line tool, it’s possible to install a desktop environment and run graphical applications using a VNC (Virtual Network Computing) server. This guide will show you how to install and set up a desktop environment in Termux.

Prerequisites

Android device: Ensure your device has enough storage and processing power to run a desktop environment.
Termux: Download and install Termux from the Play Store or F-Droid.
Internet connection: You will need an active internet connection to download the required packages.
VNC viewer: Install a VNC viewer app like RealVNC or bVNC from the Play Store.

Key Terms Explained

Termux: A terminal emulator for Android that provides a Linux environment on mobile devices.
Desktop Environment (DE): A graphical user interface for interacting with the system, including windows, panels, and icons.
VNC (Virtual Network Computing): A graphical desktop-sharing system that allows you to remotely control a desktop environment.
X11: A protocol and system that provides a graphical user interface in Unix and Linux environments.
Sudo: A command that allows users to run programs with elevated (superuser) privileges.

Step 1: Update Termux

Before proceeding, ensure that all your packages in Termux are up-to-date. Open Termux and run the following command:

pkg update && pkg upgrade

pkg: Termux’s package manager, used to handle software packages.
update: Fetches the latest list of available packages.
upgrade: Installs the latest versions of installed packages.

Step 2: Install a Desktop Environment

Termux supports several desktop environments. In this guide, we will install XFCE, a lightweight and customizable desktop environment, but you can also install others like LXDE or MATE.

Installing XFCE

To install the XFCE desktop environment in Termux, run the following command:

pkg install x11-repo
pkg install xfce4

x11-repo: A repository that provides X11 packages for Termux, required for graphical environments.
xfce4: The core XFCE desktop environment package.

Installing LXDE

Alternatively, if you prefer LXDE, use:

pkg install lxde

Installing MATE

For a more traditional experience, install MATE:

pkg install mate

Step 3: Install a VNC Server

Since Termux does not natively support graphical output, you’ll need a VNC server to access the desktop environment remotely. Install a VNC server using the following command:

pkg install tigervnc

tigervnc: A free, open-source VNC server that allows you to access your desktop environment remotely.

Step 4: Configure the VNC Server

After installing the VNC server, you need to set up the resolution and password for accessing the desktop. Run the following command to start the VNC server and set a password:

vncserver

You will be prompted to enter and verify a password. This password will be required when you access the desktop environment through a VNC viewer.

By default, the VNC server will start on display :1, and you can set the screen resolution (for example, 1280×720) by using:

vncserver -geometry 1280x720

Step 5: Start the Desktop Environment

Once the VNC server is set up, start your desktop environment. For XFCE, use the following command:

export DISPLAY=:1
xfce4-session

For LXDE or MATE, replace xfce4-session with lxsession or mate-session, respectively.

export DISPLAY=:1: This command sets the display to match the VNC server’s display number (which is :1 in this case).
xfce4-session: Starts the XFCE desktop environment.

Step 6: Connect to the Desktop Environment Using a VNC Viewer

Open your VNC viewer app on your Android device.
Enter the address localhost:1 or 127.0.0.1:1 to connect to the VNC server.
Enter the password you set earlier when prompted.
You should now see your desktop environment running within Termux!

Step 7: Stop the VNC Server

When you are done using the desktop environment, you can stop the VNC server by running the following command in Termux:

vncserver -kill :1

kill: Terminates the VNC server running on display :1.

Additional Customizations and Considerations

Performance: Running a desktop environment in Termux can be resource-intensive, depending on your Android device. If you experience slow performance, try reducing the resolution or using a more lightweight desktop environment like LXDE.
Storage: Ensure your device has enough storage to handle the installation of large desktop environment packages.
Customization: You can further customize your desktop environment by installing additional themes, icons, and utilities. For example, to customize XFCE, you can install xfce4-goodies using:

  pkg install xfce4-goodies

Conclusion

By following this tutorial, you have successfully installed and configured a desktop environment in Termux using a VNC server. This setup allows you to access and control a full desktop environment on your Android device, making it ideal for lightweight development, coding, or other graphical applications. Whether you choose XFCE, LXDE, or MATE, Termux provides a powerful platform for running a Linux desktop on mobile devices.