How To Install Waydroid on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Running Android applications on Linux systems has become increasingly popular, and Waydroid is a powerful tool that makes this possible. Waydroid is a container-based approach to running Android on Linux, providing a seamless experience for users who want to enjoy Android apps on their Ubuntu machines. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Waydroid on Ubuntu 24.04, the latest LTS release of the popular Linux distribution. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functional Android environment running alongside your Ubuntu system, allowing you to leverage the best of both worlds.

Understanding Waydroid

Before we dive into the installation process, let’s take a moment to understand what Waydroid is and how it differs from other similar tools. Waydroid is an open-source project that aims to provide a complete Android experience on Linux systems. Unlike Anbox, another popular Android emulator for Linux, Waydroid utilizes a container-based approach, which offers better performance and compatibility. By leveraging the power of containers, Waydroid creates an isolated environment where Android can run smoothly without interfering with the host system.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation of Waydroid on Ubuntu 24.04, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

• A 64-bit Ubuntu 24.04 installation
• At least 4GB of RAM
• Sufficient storage space for the Android image (around 4GB)
• A processor with virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V)

Additionally, make sure that you have the necessary packages and dependencies installed on your system. Open a terminal and run the following command to install the required packages:

sudo apt install curl ca-certificates

Lastly, ensure that your Ubuntu system is running a Wayland session. Waydroid requires Wayland to function properly, so if you are currently using Xorg, you may need to switch to Wayland before proceeding.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Installing Required Packages

To begin the installation process, open a terminal and run the following command to install the necessary packages:

sudo apt install curl ca-certificates

This command will install the curl and ca-certificates packages, which are essential for downloading and verifying the Waydroid repository.

Adding the Waydroid Repository

Next, we need to add the Waydroid repository to our system. Run the following command to add the repository using the provided curl script:

curl https://repo.waydro.id | sudo bash

This script will automatically detect your Ubuntu version and add the appropriate repository. If the script fails to detect the distribution version correctly, you can manually add the repository by following the instructions provided in the Waydroid documentation.

Installing Waydroid

With the Waydroid repository added, we can now proceed with the installation. Run the following command to install Waydroid:

sudo apt install waydroid

The package manager will resolve any dependencies and install Waydroid along with its required components. Once the installation is complete, you can verify the successful installation by running the waydroid version command, which should display the installed version of Waydroid.

Initial Setup and Configuration

Launching and Initializing Waydroid

After installing Waydroid, you need to perform an initial setup to get it up and running. Open a terminal and run the following command:

waydroid init

This command will launch the Waydroid initialization process. You will be prompted to choose between two Android types: Vanilla and Gapps. The Vanilla option provides a clean Android experience without any Google apps or services, while the Gapps option includes Google Play Services and other Google apps. Select the option that best suits your needs.

Once you have made your selection, Waydroid will download and install the corresponding Android image. This process may take some time depending on your internet connection speed.

Configuring Display Settings

By default, Waydroid launches the Android system in a window that may not be optimally sized for your screen. To adjust the display settings, you can use the following commands:

waydroid prop set persist.waydroid.width 1280
waydroid prop set persist.waydroid.height 720

Replace 1280 and 720 with your desired width and height values, respectively. These commands will set the screen size properties for Waydroid, ensuring a better visual experience.

Using Waydroid

Running Android Applications

To launch the Android system using Waydroid, simply run the following command in a terminal:

waydroid show-full-ui

This command will start the Android system in a window, allowing you to interact with it using your mouse and keyboard. You can navigate the Android interface, launch apps, and perform various tasks just as you would on a physical Android device.

Installing Android Apps

If you opted for the Vanilla Android image during the initialization process, you may be wondering how to install Android apps without access to the Google Play Store. One alternative is to use F-Droid, an open-source app repository that provides a wide range of free and open-source Android applications.

To install an app using F-Droid, follow these steps:

1. Download the F-Droid APK file from the official F-Droid website.
2. Transfer the APK file to your Ubuntu system.
3. Open a terminal and navigate to the directory where the APK file is located.
4. Run the following command to install the app using Waydroid:

waydroid app install app_name.apk

Replace app_name.apk with the actual name of the APK file you downloaded. Waydroid will install the app, and you can then launch it from within the Android system.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the installation process of Waydroid on Ubuntu 24.04 is relatively straightforward, you may encounter some common issues. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help you resolve them:

• Installation Errors: If you encounter errors during the installation process, ensure that you have added the Waydroid repository correctly and have an active internet connection. Double-check the commands you entered and try running them again.
• Display Issues: If you experience display problems, such as the Android system not fitting properly on your screen, adjust the display settings using the waydroid prop set commands mentioned earlier. Experiment with different width and height values until you find the optimal configuration for your setup.
• Performance Issues: If you notice sluggish performance or lag while using Waydroid, ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements. Allocate sufficient RAM and storage space to Waydroid, and close any unnecessary background processes to free up resources.

Uninstalling Waydroid

If you decide that you no longer need Waydroid on your Ubuntu system, you can easily uninstall it. To completely remove Waydroid and its associated components, follow these steps:

1. Stop any running Waydroid sessions by running the following command:

waydroid container stop

2. Uninstall the Waydroid package using the following command:

sudo apt remove waydroid

3. Remove any remaining configuration files and data by running:

sudo apt autoremove

After executing these commands, Waydroid will be completely removed from your Ubuntu system.

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