How to Install Manjaro on an Android Phone and termux

Manjaro is a popular Linux distribution based on Arch Linux, known for its ease of use and powerful features. While Manjaro is typically installed on desktop or laptop systems, it is possible to run it on Android devices using methods like chroot, Termux, or even running it on a virtual machine.

This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing and running Manjaro on an Android phone.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

A rooted Android device or Termux installed (for non-rooted devices)
At least 4GB of free space on your internal storage or SD card
A stable internet connection
The Termux app (available on the Play Store)
Linux Deploy (optional for rooted users)
VNC viewer app (for graphical interface)

Method 1: Using Termux (Non-Rooted Device)

This method does not require root access, making it accessible to most Android users. However, it will be a command-line interface unless you use a VNC viewer for a graphical interface.

Step 1: Install Termux and Update

Open the Google Play Store and download the Termux app.
Launch Termux and update it by running the following command:

   pkg update && pkg upgrade

Step 2: Install Required Packages

Install the necessary packages for running a Linux environment on your Android phone:

pkg install proot wget tar

Step 3: Download Manjaro ARM

Manjaro has a specific ARM version for devices like the Raspberry Pi, which will work for this installation. Download the Manjaro root filesystem using the following commands:

mkdir manjaro
cd manjaro
wget https://osdn.net/projects/manjaro-arm/storage/xfce/22.06/manjaro-xfce-22.06-armv7h-rootfs.tar.gz

Make sure you download the ARMv7 version since most Android devices run on ARM architecture.

Step 4: Extract the Filesystem

Once downloaded, extract the root filesystem:

proot --link2symlink tar -xvpf manjaro-xfce-22.06-armv7h-rootfs.tar.gz

Step 5: Run Manjaro

After extracting the filesystem, you can start using Manjaro inside Termux by running:

proot -0 -r ~/manjaro /bin/bash

You now have access to a Manjaro Linux environment within Termux. You can use common Linux commands and install packages.

Step 6: Install a Graphical Interface (Optional)

If you want a graphical interface for Manjaro, you’ll need a VNC server. Install it using the following command:

pacman -S tigervnc

Then, set up a display and start the VNC server:

vncserver :1

Use a VNC viewer app to connect to your device on localhost:1.

Method 2: Using Linux Deploy (Rooted Device)

If you have a rooted Android device, you can use the Linux Deploy app to install Manjaro with a more native experience.

Step 1: Install Linux Deploy

Download Linux Deploy from the Google Play Store.
Launch the app and grant it root access.

Step 2: Configure Linux Deploy

Tap the settings icon at the bottom-right corner.
Under Distribution, select Arch Linux (since Manjaro is Arch-based).
Customize the settings according to your preferences, such as architecture (armhf or aarch64) and installation path.

Step 3: Install Manjaro

Tap the “Install” button and wait for the installation to complete. This will download and set up the Arch/Manjaro environment on your Android device.

Step 4: Start the Linux Environment

After the installation is complete, you can start the Linux environment by tapping the “Start” button in Linux Deploy.

Step 5: Connect via VNC (Graphical Interface)

To access a graphical desktop environment, you’ll need to set up a VNC server. In Linux Deploy:

Go to Properties > GUI settings and enable GUI with VNC.
Start the VNC server in the Manjaro environment.

Use a VNC viewer to connect to your device and access the Manjaro graphical desktop.

Additional Steps: Installing Desktop Environment (XFCE, KDE, etc.)

If you want a full desktop environment, you can install XFCE, KDE, or other DEs using pacman, the Manjaro package manager. For example, to install XFCE, run:

pacman -S xfce4 xfce4-goodies

For KDE Plasma:

pacman -S plasma kde-applications

Conclusion

By following the steps in this guide, you can install and run Manjaro Linux on your Android phone using Termux or Linux Deploy. While this setup may not perform as well as a native desktop or laptop installation, it’s a great way to experience Linux on the go and explore Manjaro’s features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Installing Manjaro on an Android Phone via termux

1. Can I install Manjaro on my phone?
Yes, you can install Manjaro on your Android phone, but it will not run as a full replacement for Android. Instead, you can run Manjaro in a chroot environment using apps like Termux (for non-rooted devices) or Linux Deploy (for rooted devices). This allows you to use Manjaro alongside Android, either via a command-line interface or with a graphical interface via VNC.

2. How to install Manjaro step by step?
To install Manjaro on your phone, follow these general steps:

For Non-Rooted Devices: Install Termux, then download and extract the Manjaro ARM root filesystem, and run Manjaro in a proot environment.
For Rooted Devices: Install Linux Deploy, configure Arch Linux (as Manjaro is Arch-based), and set up the environment to run Manjaro with a graphical interface.

For detailed instructions, refer to the step-by-step guide in this tutorial.

3. How do I install Manjaro apps?
Once you’ve installed Manjaro on your Android phone, you can install apps using the package manager, pacman. For example, to install a text editor like Nano, you would run:

pacman -S nano

This command downloads and installs the application from the Manjaro repositories.

4. Can I install Manjaro without USB?
Yes, on Android devices, you can install Manjaro without the need for a USB drive. You can use Termux (non-root) or Linux Deploy (rooted) to install and run Manjaro directly on your phone’s internal storage or SD card.

5. Does Manjaro have an app store?
Yes, Manjaro has an app store called Pamac, which provides a graphical interface for managing packages. Pamac allows users to easily search, install, and manage applications in Manjaro. If you’re running a graphical interface on Manjaro (like XFCE or KDE), you can access Pamac. Otherwise, you can use the command-line tool pacman to install and manage apps.

6. Where to install the bootloader for Manjaro?
If you’re installing Manjaro on an Android device using a virtual environment like Termux or Linux Deploy, you don’t need to worry about a bootloader. However, if you are installing Manjaro on a PC or USB drive, the bootloader (GRUB) should be installed on the primary drive (usually /dev/sda).

7. Where is the bootloader located in Android?
In Android, the bootloader is located in the device’s internal storage, typically in a dedicated partition. The bootloader controls the process of starting up the Android operating system. However, when running a Linux distribution like Manjaro in a chroot or proot environment, you won’t need to interact with Android’s bootloader.

8. How to install Manjaro on a USB key?
To install Manjaro on a USB drive, follow these steps:

Download the Manjaro ISO file.
Use a tool like Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (Linux/Mac) to create a bootable USB drive.
Boot from the USB drive on your PC and follow the installation instructions to install Manjaro on the USB drive.
Ensure that during installation, you select the USB drive as the installation target and install the bootloader (GRUB) to the USB drive.

9. How to manually install GRUB bootloader?
If you need to manually install the GRUB bootloader (usually for a PC, not an Android device), follow these steps:

Boot into a live environment from a Manjaro installation disk or USB.
Open a terminal and mount the root partition of your system:

   mount /dev/sdX /mnt

Replace /dev/sdX with your actual root partition.

Install GRUB:

   grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader-id=manjaro --recheck

Generate the GRUB configuration file:

   grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

This will install and configure GRUB to boot your Manjaro installation.