How To Install Anbox on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Running Android applications on a Linux system has become increasingly popular, especially among developers and tech enthusiasts. Anbox, short for “Android in a Box,” allows you to run Android apps natively on your Linux operating system without the overhead of traditional emulators. This guide will provide a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to installing Anbox on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, ensuring you can easily access your favorite Android applications.

What is Anbox?

Anbox is an open-source project that enables you to run Android applications on Linux by using container technology. Unlike traditional emulators that simulate an entire Android device, Anbox runs Android apps directly on your Linux kernel, providing better performance and integration with your system. This means you can use Android apps alongside your native Linux applications seamlessly.

Some of the key benefits of using Anbox include:

• Performance: Since Anbox utilizes the host system’s kernel, it typically offers better performance compared to traditional emulators.
• Integration: Anbox allows for better integration with Linux desktop environments, making it easier to switch between applications.
• Resource Efficiency: It consumes fewer resources than full-fledged emulators, making it suitable for lower-spec machines.

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

• A 64-bit processor with virtualization support.
• Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installed and updated.
• The Snap package manager installed and functioning properly.

Prerequisites for Installation

Before installing Anbox, it is crucial to prepare your system. Here’s what you need to do:

• Check System Architecture: Ensure you’re running a 64-bit version of Ubuntu. You can check this by running the following command in your terminal:

uname -m

If the output shows “x86_64,” you are good to go. If it shows “i686” or similar, you will need to install a 64-bit version of Ubuntu.

• Update Your System: Keeping your system updated is essential for smooth installation and operation. Use these commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Update Your System

The first step in installing Anbox is ensuring that your Ubuntu system is up-to-date. Open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

This command refreshes your package list and installs any available updates, ensuring that you have the latest software versions and security patches.

Step 2: Install Snapd

Anbox is distributed as a Snap package, so you’ll need to have Snap installed on your system. Most modern versions of Ubuntu come with Snap pre-installed. To check if Snap is installed, run:

snap --version

If Snap is not installed, you can install it using the following command:

sudo apt install snapd

Step 3: Add Anbox Repository

Anbox requires specific kernel modules that may not be included in the default repositories. To add the necessary repository for Anbox support, execute the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:morphis/anbox-support

This command adds the PPA (Personal Package Archive) for Anbox support. After adding the repository, update your package list again:

sudo apt update

Step 4: Install Kernel Modules

Anbox relies on two kernel modules: binder_linux and ashmem_linux. These modules allow communication between the host and Android containers. Install these modules using DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) with the following command:

sudo apt install anbox-modules-dkms

This will automatically build and install the required kernel modules. After installation, load the modules into your current session with these commands:

sudo modprobe ashmem_linux
sudo modprobe binder_linux

You should also ensure these modules load at boot by adding them to your /etc/modules file:

echo "ashmem_linux" | sudo tee -a /etc/modules
echo "binder_linux" | sudo tee -a /etc/modules

Step 5: Install Anbox Using Snap

You are now ready to install Anbox itself. Use Snap to install it in devmode (development mode) which allows it to access necessary resources:

sudo snap install --devmode --beta anbox

The flags used here are important; --devmode allows more permissive access for testing purposes, while –beta ensures you get the latest features that may not yet be stable.

Step 6: Verify Installation

After installation, verify that Anbox is correctly installed by checking the list of installed snaps:

snap list | grep anbox

If installed correctly, you should see Anbox listed in the output.

Step 7: Install Android Debug Bridge (ADB)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is essential for managing Android applications within Anbox. To install ADB, run:

sudo apt install android-tools-adb

Step 8: Start ADB Server

You need to start the ADB server before installing any APKs into Anbox. Use this command:

adb start-server

Step 9: Download and Install Android Apps

You can now download APK files from trusted sources like APK Mirror or F-Droid. Once downloaded, use ADB to install these applications into Anbox. For example, if you’ve downloaded an APK file named example.apk, use this command:

adb install /path/to/example.apk

This command installs the specified APK into your Anbox environment, allowing you to run it just like any other application on your Linux desktop.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while installing or running Anbox, here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Kernal Module Loading Failures: If you experience issues with loading kernel modules (e.g., binder_linux or ashmem_linux), ensure that you have DKMS installed correctly and that you’re running a compatible kernel version (5.4 or newer).
• Anbox Fails to Start: If Anbox does not start after installation, check if both kernel modules are loaded correctly using dmesg | grep anbox. This will provide logs related to Anbox’s operation.
• No Network Access in Apps: If installed apps cannot access the internet, ensure that your network settings allow connections from containerized environments.
• Error Messages During ADB Installation: If ADB fails during installation of APKs, verify that ADB is running by executing adb devices. This should list connected devices; if none appear, restart ADB with adb kill-server && adb start-server.
• Poor Performance of Apps: If apps are lagging or crashing frequently within Anbox, consider checking your system resources (CPU/RAM usage) as heavy applications might require more resources than available.
• No Sound in Applications: If sound does not work within Android apps, check audio settings in both Ubuntu and within individual apps as some may require specific permissions or settings adjustments.
• Anbox Not Listed in Applications Menu: If Anbox does not appear in your application menu after installation, try restarting your computer or logging out and back into your session.
• Error Installing APKs from Unknown Sources: If you’re unable to install APKs due to security restrictions, ensure that you’ve allowed installations from unknown sources within each app’s settings once it’s running.
• A Different Version of Android Required: If certain apps won’t run due to version incompatibility issues with Android versions supported by Anbox (currently based on Android 7), consider looking for alternative versions of those apps compatible with older Android versions.
• Anbox Crashing After Installation: If you experience crashes immediately upon launching Anbox after installation, try reinstalling it or checking for updates both for Ubuntu and for any dependencies required by Anbox.
• No Google Play Services Available: If certain apps require Google Play Services which aren’t included in Anbox by default; consider using alternatives like MicroG which provides a lightweight implementation of Google services.
• Error Messages Related to Permissions: If certain functionalities don’t work due to permission errors; check whether you’ve granted all necessary permissions within each app’s settings while running under Anbox.
• No Updates Available for Installed Apps: If you’re unable to update apps installed via ADB; consider reinstalling them directly from their respective sources instead of relying solely on built-in update mechanisms within those apps themselves.
• A DB Connection Errors While Trying To Install Apps From Terminal:
  Please ensure that both ADB server & daemon processes are running correctly before attempting installations again!

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Anbox. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Anbox on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Anbox website.