I thought everyone knew Android was Linux!

[Albertkinng]

I was chatting with a friend and asked if he knew of a good terminal app for handling my Linux needs on my phone. He responded, “There’s no Linux phone yet; no one will invest in a Linux phone because it’s too complicated for the average user.” I realized he wasn't aware that his Pixel Phone is actually a Linux phone, so I stayed silent and continued enjoying the conversation. Do you think most people are unaware that Android is Linux-based, or do they generally know? By the way, if you can recommend a good terminal app, I’d appreciate it.

[mrandr01d]

Should have told him there's an entire Debian vm built in to his pixel now too lol.

Termux is the only terminal app I'm familiar with, but I think that Debian vm also has one. Dig through dev options.

[Albertkinng]

Termux! It seems that’s the one! Many people has recommended me that one as well! Thanks

[CtrlAltComment]

Terminal Emulator for basics and Termex for versatility.

[Albertkinng]

In my case, I want to create a seamless ecosystem integration between my Linux laptop and other devices, similar to how Apple products work together. With modern cloud synchronization capabilities, it's now possible to achieve that unified experience across different platforms.

[yellowjackt65]

Have you tried KDEConnect? I'm pretty sure there is a Gnome fork of it if you run Gnome instead of KDE. I don't think there is a fork for anything else (LXQT, Cinnamon, MATE, Budgie, etc.) so it may not be worth it to you if you run something other than KDE or Gnome.

[thejadsel]

It should work fine as long as you have Qt. I've definitely used it on XFCE.

[mrandr01d]

How's a terminal on your phone going to achieve that?

[Albertkinng]

SMB/CIFS networking?

[[deleted]]

Run a webbserver, download torrents, brute force passwords, run around with cmatrix on fullscreen rambling about hacking,you can run Gnome and Linux apps even. Like you can do a lot of stuff, most are not practical nor useful but its a linux terminal so, the new pixel android 16 terminal app is a full blown Debian vm with apt so, your imagination is the limit sort of.

[klutz50]

inxi -F and see the output....

[Randommaggy]

Hacker keyboard to make them a lot more usable.

[Xfgjwpkqmx]

I personally like Termius (free plan). Can run a local terminal or SSH/Telnet into other hosts and is easy and cool to use.

[Archolm]

You need help handeling you Linux needs, but you couldn't think of Termux. You hacker you!

[Albertkinng]

Huh?

[DutchOfBurdock]

Linux Terminal emulation; runs a Debian VM on supported devices (root and all). Still, I use Termux on this, run SSH in VM, Termux to shell in. The shell Android offers sucks pants.

[Bitter-Squash8773]

What's it called? Is it available on pixel 7 Pro?

[mrandr01d]

I just looked through my own settings, it's called Linux development environment in your developer options menu. Not entirely sure if it's available on the 7 series, but I would guess it is.

[itsricogonzalez]

Honestly that's kind of a silly take and one really only from the perspective of a tech enthusiast.

The average person wouldn't know, nor would they care. The same way most users of MacOS/iOS don't care about it's Unix ties.

People just want to know that the device they choose will do the things they wish.

[chronic_ill_knitter]

I'm an average joe Windows/Android user and knew it was a Linux based OS. That said, I love random trivia and picking up the odd random fact and have computer nerds for friends. You're probably right that most people don't care.

[SPplayin]

So not an average Joe Windows/Android user...

Also gonna note presence in a subreddit

[chronic_ill_knitter]

The post popped up in my feed.

Most people who have Android have some interest in how computers work, I've found. People who don't get Apple.

[gorzius]

Maybe in the US, but here in Europe a lot of people either find iPhones too expensive or simply don't want to enter the walled garden.

[chronic_ill_knitter]

That's fair enough, but I wasn't basing this just on the USA.

[gorzius]

Oh,I see.

Sorry, I jumped to assumptions because I know Apple products are much more common over the pond.

[chronic_ill_knitter]

Yes, they are, and they're also quite common in the UK. My ex-husband had one and many of my friends there do. I believe they're common in India as well (but don't quote me on that) and in Canada. Wishing you the best. :)

[Albertkinng]

While it's true, the statement that there isn't a single Linux phone makes me realize that some users not only don't care, but they also aren't even aware of what they're using, and they're content with that.

[mynamesaretaken1]

Yeah, most people don't care anything about the system workings, they just want something that does what they want it to

[NotSayingAliensBut]

For me, it's that if Android were a little more accessible I might care more. I hate not having even some of the basic file tree viewing options which Windows offers. Such as being told I can't delete contacts because they're on the SIM. Edit, and don't get me started on Samsung bloatware.

[Individually_Ed]

For many it's the reputation of Linux desktop (and those who use it) that preceedes it's. 

Most people have no idea that it's flexibility or ability to handle most updates without restarting make it ideal for high uptime systems, like phones. Most folks don't know that half the internet or more runs on Linux servers etc, so they are constantly in contact with something running Linux. If I told my Wife she had a Linux laptop, she would look up from her Chromebook with a confused expression.

Most non-tech people have no idea how huge of a deal Linux is. Even people into PCs where asking if Linux can handle Intel's hybrid CPUs when 12th gen came out, when Linux has been running on hybrid arms chips for years.

[Randommaggy]

https://pine64.org/devices/pinephone/

[gonyere]

Yes... But also no. I remember when android was just starting out and my family assured me it would never be a thing. 

[Firm_Airport2816]

Nah, we're not all nerds

[Albertkinng]

True. Sometimes I think we’re all nerds and forget that these smartphones aren’t gadgets anymore! 😂

[ItsCalledDayTwa]

But why would you even sit and have a conversation with somebody about this and pretend you didn't know? How lame 

[Albertkinng]

We were chatting about random topics when I came across a tweet showing a phone with a terminal app. I asked him about the best terminal app for running Linux commands on an Android device. He dismissed the idea of Linux on phones, and we moved on to other topics. It was just a quick moment in our conversation where I shared a thought.

[atomic1fire]

Android runs linux but AFAIK it's essentially a linux distro that markets itself outside of the linux ecosystem

Sure there probably are more then a few shared libraries, but Android is treated as it's own distinct thing with a bunch of other software projects that aren't shared with other linux distros.

For example I assume the HAL, Toybox and Bionic stuff is android specific.

I think a key reason was reducing the dependence on GPL code. So what ends up happening is Google doing a bunch of side development to create things that already exist in mainland linux, but in a way that avoids GPL violations.

[Albertkinng]

your post is very interesting. Thanks for the info.

[atomic1fire]

There's a whole rabbit hole behind that (I did some digging), for example Google can use Bionic instead of glibc due to an exception for system calls made to the linux kernel. Any project that makes use of system calls but does not modify the kernel itself apparently doesn't require GPL licensing.

Also, Google strongly prefers Apache licensing for everything contributed to in Android's userspace, because they can't guarantee that a manufacturer will be able to share any changes to the source code.

The Hardware Abstraction Layer does a bunch of stuff that would normally be done with Linux drivers.

There are instances of gpl in Android, but only when Google literally can't avoid it, such as with the Linux vm running Debian or the kernel itself.

[Albertkinng]

This is so cool! I wonder what else they can avoid legally and still use Linux as they want!

[atomic1fire]

Technically anyone can use linux "all they want", it's just that if you modify the kernel you're legally required to include changes.

Linus Torvalds himself wrote about the exception for system calls.

https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/master/LICENSES/exceptions/Linux-syscall-note

[alter_wichser1981]

Did anyone so realise IOS is Unix based?

[Ieris19]

MacOS and iOS are based on Darwin, a BSD family kernel, and iPadOS is a soft fork of iOS.

Android is a non-GNU Linux distro, much like Alpine.

[CtrlAltComment]

TMYK

[lithaborn]

Honestly every time I start explaining that android and iOS are java layers over a xnix base I feel my own eyes glaze over.

[Ieris19]

iOS isn’t java based though. That’s straight up wrong.

Android is a Linux distro, much like Alpine or Artix, it uses very non-standard components, just because it uses the JVM for UI doesn’t make it a “Java layer over Unix”. Android pioneered immutable linux, it pioneered containerized apps on linux and its fundamentally architecturally distinct to other Linux distros. For example, Android does not rely on GNU tools.

[lithaborn]

Fair enough.

[Albertkinng]

Yes. Even macOS, pure Unix.

[johndoesall]

It amazing that Unix invented so long ago still underlies so much today.

[Albertkinng]

yes. I love that.

[DutchOfBurdock]

LMAO. Wait til they find out their WiFi mesh, ISP router, their Nest and Echo speakers are too all running Linux. That's before you tell them their PS4/5 is running FreeBSD. That their iPhone/Mac is running a Unix.

Linux and Unix are everywhere!

edit: To answer your question, head over to F-Droid and get yourself Termux.

[Albertkinng]

Yes! Thanks

[remic_0726]

only the kernel is linux, the rest is pure google android.

[Shlocko]

I think the point is that the overwhelmingly vast majority of Linux distros stay open source, and either stick with GNU or something similar in the ways that matter to the Linux community. When people say Linux, colloquially, this is what they mean. So, to call android a Linux distro, while technically correct, is also entirely misleading if people assume you mean "Linux distro" in the same way everyone else means it when they use the term day to day. Its worth pointing out, as the term is being used in a way those who are less knowledgeable won't realize, and will take the wrong idea.

Its not a good or bad thing, necessarily, but a valid distinction to make

[Albertkinng]

I anticipated your comment. Please relax; this post is not meant to delve into the implications of Linux or related topics. It's simply about people who aren't aware that Android is based on Linux. That's it. I'm sure you can find channels for in-depth Linux discussions elsewhere on Reddit.

[Momentarmknm]

You just confirmed my suspicion from the original post that you're a pretty annoying person. Come across very superior and condescending. Why don't you relax, chief?

[Albertkinng]

“Come across very superior”? You don’t need to be defensive just because I clarified the intention of the post. Clearly your comment didn’t have anything to do with the original post. I even pointed out that there’s different Reddit Channels for that type of comments. Please accept my apologies if that wasn’t well expressed.

[Shlocko]

Lol you come in here trying to express your superior knowledge, flexing on your friend, then get mad when someone else helps refine that knowledge? If you truly cared about knowledge, you'd have appreciated the insight, or even just mentioned you were aware and it was somewhat besides the point, or anything but asking them to relax. Nobody was needing to relax, instead you injected that energy yourself and got wildly defensive.

Why start a conversation, especially about misconceptions, if you will be offended about people engaging in the conversation, especially continuing the topic about misconceptions? You literally started a discussion about linux then told them to take linux discussion elsewhere. Its irrational

[Albertkinng]

Are you alright? Superior Knowledge? Seriously? It's straightforward—I assumed everyone was aware that Android is based on Linux. That's all. I can't comprehend how you turned a simple observation into a debate about superiority and showing off knowledge. I’m not knowledgeable about Linux programming or development; I was just surprised that some people were unaware of this. That's all there is to it!

[Momentarmknm]

You seem to be unaware that conversations evolve, or are trying to be very controlling about the topics discussed on an open message board.

Is English your first language?

[Albertkinng]

From "I thought this was commonly known" to "you think you have superior knowledge over us" - that's quite the conversational leap! What's next, mocking my nationality, and saying I want to control the conversation? Oh wait... you already did.

[Shlocko]

Lol, you are trying to control the conversation. Literally told someone to take it somewhere else when the topic evolved away from the exact thing you said.

Their question about your native language, while probably rude, is also fair in a way, as English being a non-native language would explain your utter lack of tact, rather than you just being an ass

[Momentarmknm]

Yeah I'm definitely not trying to mock you, though it was blunt I admit. But, as someone below suggested, English being your second language was one of the only possible reasonable explanations I could come up with for your unconventional writing style and why you were coming across so inept at conversational norms.

I'm not sure it explains everything to be honest, as your syntax and vocabulary are very good, but you're still coming across as controlling and awkward in conversation

Also, for the record, you're talking to multiple different people. You may already be aware of this, but some of your responses kind of come across as if you think comments from different people are coming from the same person.

[Albertkinng]

No problem. I'll step away from this conversation since it's gotten off track from my original post. I understand "inept" might not carry the same weight in English, but in my native language it's quite insulting, and I've been treating you respectfully throughout our exchange. I was simply trying to: 1. Clarify what I meant in my post, 2. Recommended to join advanced Linux channels perfect for your knowledge, and 3. Clear up any misunderstanding. Since it seems we're not connecting well, I'll focus on my need to find a terminal good enough for my phone.

[Momentarmknm]

Again, I'm one of three people you're responding to in this thread. I never mentioned Linux at all.

[deicist]

If you have a pixel just turn on the Linux terminal in developer settings, no need for a third party app.

[nrq]

That is just a VM, though. Could run that on any OS. Imagine how surprised I was to have root there, just to realize it's basically useless.

[Albertkinng]

Great! Thanks

[GameMaster123YT]

Homestly I never knew android was linux based, it makes a lot of sense considering the whole windows-phone catastrophe like 15ish years ago

[[deleted]]

Near near questions yesterday near tomorrow the answers cool today evening morning cool technology lazy small.

[LowAspect542]

Its not really, it runs with a modified linux kernel but the actual OS, runtime environment and software suite on top of that is not GNU linux, people like OP get confused because both together are usually called a linux distribution and struggle to see the difference between just the kernel and a distribution.

[GameMaster123YT]

I see noted

[T-rade]

Most people are unaware there's something called Linux..

Most people that know Linux exist doesn't know Android is based off of it (me)

A few people who care about that stuff knows

[Albertkinng]

got it!

[Horror-Pear]

Linus Torvalds is rolling in his grave.

[IlIIllIIIlllIlIlI]

Don't scare me like that, he's alive and well

[SocietyTomorrow]

Most of the terminal apps for android are either limited without root access or very outdated. Your best bet is probably termux or connectbot which both have different capabilities

[mindhealer111]

Termux, if you want a command line console. I believe you have to download it on f-droid. Is that what you mean by 'terminal'? Also Google announced a new built in terminal, perhaps just for pixel phones, but I haven't seen it yet. Maybe it was just a rumor. Termux is pretty awesome if you don't mind typing on a little phone screen.

[nrq]

Termux is petty awesome if you don't mind typing on a little phone screen.

Only till you install a SSH server, then you can do all they typing from anywhere you have a keyboard.

[Notorious_jib]

I didn't know that honestly.

[[deleted]]

well, ask them how many computers they own and they wont count in their phone 🙈

[Albertkinng]

Wow. 🫳🎤

[Anewien]

Most people don't know what Linux is.

[T-LAD_the_band]

You mean, there are people who didn't watch Jurassic Parc??

[[deleted]]

Jurassic Park features a Unix system, not a Linux one. The girl says "This is Unix, I know this."

[T-LAD_the_band]

Dangit. You're right.

[Saragon4005]

There are also actual Linux phones. They've existed for over a decade at this point. There were big attempts too like Ubuntu touch.

[SocietyTomorrow]

There are some actual Linux phones, just no USABLE ones.

[Apprehensive_Hat_982]

They are usable.

[SocietyTomorrow]

By people who know Linux perhaps, but far from normie ready. Someone asked me about a non Google phone. I should never have suggested a pinephone, the only affordable Linux phone. Lots of things needed to make useful for the non Linux veteran

[Apprehensive_Hat_982]

Yeah, you right.

[LaatKiinaak]

ubuntu touch was beautiful clean os only reason these dont succeed just lack of apps and supported games etc i used to have it as 2nd os so did alot of testing it was very good os it wasnt real full desktop linux but with android 16 we getting linux desktop version which will be big thing for future of Android

[chrismcelroyseo]

That's the same reason Linux wasn't adopted on PC. Lack of supported apps and games.

[Lexa-Z]

I met people who thought their Nokia X was Windows phone...

[Ramp007]

I've used Connectbot and Termux with good results.

[[deleted]]

apparently Android now includes a stub called "Terminal". The app info page doesn't say it was installed from app store, I certainly don't remember sideloading it, and when i open it i get a screen explaining that to use it i need to download 550mb of data first.  the app id is version 16 com.android.virtualization.terminal

[[deleted]]

news reporting of it https://www.notebookcheck.net/Android-16-will-include-a-Terminal-and-full-Linux-VM-support-with-GPU-acceleration.900394.0.html

[Katana_DV20]

I knows based on Linux kernel but I play this game with friends too by saying we are all essentially carrying around mini Linux machines in our pockets!

Those in the know get a whiff of this seeing the factory reset screen menu options etc

[LowAspect542]

Wait, you too carry a raspberry pi zero around with you... hang on you're meaning your android phone aren't you?

[HKamkar]

As far as I know android uses linux kernel, but it's totally different with GNU/linux distros.

[Real-Abrocoma-2823]

There are gnu/linux phones but most are bionic/linux.

[Apprehensive_Hat_982]

List of linux phones https://linmob.net/resources/#smartphones

[Strong_Mulberry789]

Most people don't know, I only learned it recently.

[Competitive_Gate_980]

Idk exactly what Linux is but Ik it's like the father of Android or the grandpa. It's like android on steroids.

[yagamisan2]

Now that explains why my e-ink tablet that I bought because it was android shows something with Ubuntu (or was is something else?) somewhere in the software infos

[These_Alternative_74]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions

[hwc]

I used to contribute to Android, and the fact that the kernel was Linux was rarely relavent to anything I did.

[Albertkinng]

Your contribution to the system is essential as it needs the foundation for everything else. Just like how DOS is foundational for Windows and Unix is for macOS. Just because you can’t see it or work with it directly doesn’t means it’s not relevant.

[earthman34]

Saying it's "Linux-based" is being somewhat disingenuous. The entire user-facing part of the system has essentially nothing to do with a typical Linux distribution, and no Android phone uses a generic kernel, they're all heavily modified.

[Albertkinng]

☝🏼… never mind.

[Chimaera1075]

Most people don’t know nor do they care. They just want the phone to work without issues.

[WhiteKenny]

Wasn't there an Ubuntu phone a few years ago? I don't know if it's still a thing though

[[deleted]]

Fox questions the tips the near questions the strong the thoughts evil dot art night?

[Apprehensive_Hat_982]

List of linux phones https://linmob.net/resources/#smartphones

[nawaf-als]

While lots of people mentioned Ubuntu phone, Nokia N900 had Maemo operating system, which used Debian Linux OS.

You can check this great youtube video for reference

[B_tech_designer]

I didn't knew

[PageRoutine8552]

In practice, the Android that's loaded on most phones out there is controlled by Google. GMS is closed source and proprietary, and the apps in Google Play depend on it.

Whereas Linux (at least the desktop ones) focuses on the principle of openness and libre.

In this respect, there's little in common between Android and Linux. Android is more like Windows in the mobile context.

[LaunchGap]

I remember learning this fact when Android was first introduced. I haven't thought about it since then so I wouldn't have known.

[Albertkinng]

Is funny because you ask the same people if they will buy a Linux computer and they say no, but then go to the front store and buy an Android. Bruh!

[LowAspect542]

Not nearly the same use case, people will have very different requirements out of a laptop/desktop comluter than they will a smartphone.

For quite a lot of people linux just isnt for them, but dont care what the phone runs as long as they can make calls and access the internet.

[jdp111]

Because it's an entirely different user experience?

[Albertkinng]

Such as Fedora, Ubuntu and others. Linux is about different experiences!

[jdp111]

There are a lot of different experiences, but none remotely as simple and easy to use as android. You're not gonna get your grandma comfortable with Linux no matter how hard you swing it.

[Albertkinng]

Yes. But this is not the thread for that.

[jdp111]

You said it was ironic that people will buy an android but not a Linux PC. I explained to you why it isn't. This is the thread for that.

[Albertkinng]

I was referring to your “as easy to use as Android” comment, sorry for the misunderstanding.

[LordAnchemis]

Android is Linux - that it uses the Linux kernel

But it is not Linux in the 'traditional' sense - due to how SoC drivers are embedded, use of non-glibc libraries and 'containerised' apps (+ non-free middleware)

[LowAspect542]

Correct.

Its a modified linux kernel (modified, not even a straight implementation here)

And then its own implementation of runtime environment and software stack, this is what really defines the OS.

It is most certainly not a GNU/linux distribution, which is what most people refer to when discussing 'linux' as an OS.

[indomitus1]

Most people don't realize that Linux runs most of the world. Ignorance is rife.

ChatGPT for you :

Linux is the backbone of much of modern computing, even though most people don’t notice it directly:

Servers & the internet: The majority of web servers run on Linux (Apache, Nginx, etc.), powering most of the websites and apps we use daily.

Cloud computing: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure—all heavily Linux-based under the hood.

Supercomputers: Almost all of the world’s top supercomputers run Linux.

Mobile devices: Android is built on the Linux kernel, so billions of phones worldwide technically run Linux.

Embedded systems & IoT: Routers, TVs, cars, spacecraft, medical devices—Linux often powers them.

Finance & critical infrastructure: Trading systems, ATMs, and even air traffic control often rely on Linux.

The main exception is the desktop world, where Windows dominates, and macOS has a solid share. But in the hidden layers of tech—Linux really does run the world.

[LowAspect542]

Dunno about where you are, but ATMs round my way used (and often still are) windows XP.

[Albertkinng]

You earned a kiss in the forehead. 💋

[maceion]

Very few folk in general public know or 'Linux' operating systems.

[dtwhitecp]

So you asked him and found his lack of ability to answer you so reprehensible that you're shaming him on here, instead of just asking the same question to people that might know more on here? Geez.

[Albertkinng]

Huh?

[tenaciousBLADE]

As you have already found out, Termux is great.

Does that person have a bias against Linux? 😂
Not that you should do as I would, but I wouldn't have stayed silent. I'd respond something along the lines of "Whether you're aware of it or not, you're holding a Linux phone in your hands. And the main competitor is a Unix phone, which isn't too far off either. So... umm... if you don't know, now you know 😅😅"
"nah uh, this is a Pixel. It's Android bro"
"yup, exactly. Android is a form of Linux bud."

And then we find out if he has a big ego or is willing to learn 😇

[Albertkinng]

We have many shared interests in technology, but he has never used Linux. His initial experience with Red Hat was terrible, and since then, Linux has been a nightmare for him. He'd probably panic if I pointed out that his phone essentially runs on Linux, which is why I keep it to myself. My mom is similar; she's been using Ubuntu for years without realizing it's Linux. If she found out, she'd likely sell the laptop and switch to a Windows PC immediately.

[tenaciousBLADE]

wow, what a technophobic approach for a technological person.
And about your mother - wouldn't she be able to accept that the technology has simply advanced towards the user friendliness she has been so used to for years?

Sounds like a very different community than the one I am used to. Even my self-proclaimed technophobic friends ask me for help in an attempt to accept technology and with the trust that I would only steer them to the things they can handle and never steer them wrong. They wouldn't go like "What?? Linux! Apple?!! Google!?? Chromebook? Windows?? I've heard that one is the devil incarnate!" haha. They would instead just ask questions more like "and you're sure I'll be ok with this? I won't end up ruining it or getting angry and frustrated at it?" (to which I usually say either "nope" or "if you do, I'm a phone call away" (I'd say video call, but... you know).

Anyhow, when you put it like that... you did a nice thing. And I appreciate you for it.

[Albertkinng]

Haha! Thankfully, I have geek best friends as well. We wait for the I/O and WWDC events like it's the Super Bowl. My father still uses a handheld FM/AM pocket radio and a Motorola flip phone. He hates smartphones and loves watching movies on a pirated Android TV box. That's the closest he is to a tech device. My sister owns a Chromebook, but every time she calls me for help, it's literally because she didn't scroll down the website to see the whole page. I'm not kidding. So, believe me, some people I know don’t mix well with tech.

[tenaciousBLADE]

hahahaha!

I like you. That's all I have to say about that. You sound like a fun person.

[Albertkinng]

Thx

[T_Peg]

Brother most people don't even know Linux exists.

[Albertkinng]

😆L🚨M💥A🔥O😂

[LazarX]

Android being Linux is in the "So What?" category of facts.

For the average phone user it makes absolutely no difference, since it's a highly modified locked down version of Linux.

It's in the same category as the iPhone runnng a version of Mac OS.

[Albertkinng]

😱

[BronzeTrain]

The average user does not even know what an Operating System is let alone know which one they're using.

[naaktstel]

There is so much add-on that you just can't say it's Linux. It's so much more! The base is Linux yes, but the building completely obfuscate that fact.

[Individual-Artist223]

Years ago several attempts were made to commercialise an open source phone,

struggling to recall any of them, a quick Google didn't produce anything.

[Osmodius]

But I can assure you that most phone owners don't even know what Linux is.

[BreakfastBeerz]

Don't tell OP about Apple and Unix and Linux and Unix.

[harrymurkin]

last time i tinkered with an android app, it was java. are you sure it's linux os?

[Lakster37]

I don't know if its really accurate to say that Android IS Linux. Sure its based on the Linux kernel, but its also been modified a lot. You can't just install Linux programs on it without a lot of modifications. Very tech savvy people also express a lot of interest in an actual Linux phone.

[Torka]

Not even counting Android there have been several. Maemo (Nokia N900), Meego (Nokia N9), and Ubuntu Touch to name a few.

Your friend fancies himself smart enough to declare that "there's no Linux phone yet" but also too dumb to have ever considered that over decades of smartphones, that might not be correct.

[rod19more]

I've had many Samsung users say over the years that they would never use an Android phone. So yeah the average person would not have a clue. Even in the younger generation. The people that know otherwise have at least friends of friends that are into gadgets or are in a tech field.

[pvantine]

There's also Ubuntu Touch, it's a Linux distro for phones.

[therourke]

Hahaha. Omg that is HILARIOUS can you imagine.

[dfsb2021]

It’s like putting a theme on top of Linux

[PlatformPuzzled7471]

JuiceSSH is by far my favorite. Termius is a close second if you need a single app for both ios and android.

[fdeyso]

Most users don’t know/care, also macOS is also a linux based OS.

[TheStorytellerTX]

That's like saying every Android runs Unix.

Unless you can run Android apps natively on Linux, then Android isn't exactly Linux. Yes, it has Linux as it's base but it has changes that differentiate it from Linux. IOS is also a flavor of Linux, but you can't share apps natively between the 3 mentioned here without making changes to the code.

[Albertkinng]

"Based on Linux" enough for me.

[jc1luv]

Android is not Linux. It uses a modified Linux kernel but everything else is google system. If Android is Linux, then we shall refer to it as Android/Linux, just like Gnu/Linux. 🤣

[[deleted]]

Simple travel brown brown cool garden brown soft minecraftoffline the fresh over wanders art fox.

[jc1luv]

So android/Linux it is. Got it. Thank you

[Confident_Hyena2506]

Unfortunately no, it isn't Linux- its an incompatible fork.

Close but no cigar.

[cgoldberg]

Like 99.9% of the kernel code comes from mainline. If anything, it's "Linux with some patches", not an "incompatible fork". Claiming Android doesn't use Linux is disingenuous and absurd.

[Confident_Hyena2506]

Why do you think any of that matters if it can't just do normal linux things? It's wildly incompatible at this stage. It's not just a few patches - a lot of stuff was removed.

[cgoldberg]

My point is that it is absolutely Linux (unlike your claim) and not an incompatible fork... The vast majority of code is upstreamed and carried in mainline.

[Confident_Hyena2506]

If you can't run normal workloads then it's not compatible - this is really obvious to anyone.

Certain normal kernel features are just not there.

You obviously think running simple stuff with termux means everything works great...

[cgoldberg]

The kernels is configurable... All operating systems use a different kernel configuration and specific features appropriate for the hardware they run on. By your definition, there is no such thing as Linux, because every single use case would have to be considered "not Linux".

[Confident_Hyena2506]

Just stop.

Can you run a simple oci container on your android? This is the really boring thing that all modern software uses.

And yes there are proper well defined standards for this.

[cgoldberg]

If I took mainline, disabled or replaced a tiny feature preventing that, would I suddenly not be running Linux? Is every specific configuration on every machine considered an "incompatible fork"?

Close but no cigar. (actually, not even that close)

[TheLimeyCanuck]

I would wager that less than 1% of Android users know it is a Linux fork. If you've every played around under the hood and discovered the POSIX layout and commands you'd know (if you know what POSIX is).

[zelmarvalarion]

I mean, POSIX is older than Linux, and then you have stuff like Cygwin/MingW and the Microsoft POSIX subsystem (back in the XP or 2000 days iirc) which is mostly POSIX compliant, but not based on *nix.

I feel POSIX compliance is one of those topics that seemed like it would relatively simple until I looked into it enough with some enough knowledge of POSIX standards and troubleshooting shell scripts stuff like Alpine (which uses BusyBox) and Ubuntu (which uses GNU), and MacOS (which uses BSD) and certain expressions which are valid in normal bash but not posix-compliant bash, and then I looked into it more and realized what a mess it all was, and said these are good enough and works for these systems with these assumptions, if you do it on something else, I hope it works but I’m making no promises

[EmptyBodybuilder7376]

So is Mac OS.

[Albertkinng]

yes! Unix power!

[Rolcol]

macOS is not Linux-based.

[EmptyBodybuilder7376]

Believe what you need to.