How I Run Android Apps Natively on Linux Using Waydroid
Ever wished you could run Android apps natively on your Linux desktop — no emulators, no dual booting? Meet Waydroid, a container-based solution that brings the full Android operating system to your Wayland session.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I set up Waydroid on Manjaro GNOME, what it can do, and how it compares to traditional emulators like Anbox or Android Studio’s AVD.
What is Waydroid
Waydroid runs Android inside an LXC container and uses your Wayland session to display the Android UI directly on your desktop. This means:
- It runs significantly faster than an emulator
- You can run APKs like native apps
- It integrates with your system clipboard
- It feels natural to use on Linux
There’s no virtualization layer involved — it’s as if Android is just another app running on your desktop.
My Setup
Here’s the environment I used while setting up Waydroid:
- OS: Manjaro Linux (GNOME on Wayland)
- Kernel: 6.x with binder and ashmem modules enabled
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
- Display Server: Wayland (important — Waydroid does not work on X11)
Installing Waydroid on Manjaro / Arch
You can install Waydroid from the AUR using yay:
yay -S waydroid
After installation, initialize it:
sudo waydroid init
This will download a base Android image and set up the container.
Next, start the container:
sudo systemctl start waydroid-container
Finally, launch the Android UI:
waydroid show-full-ui
If everything is configured correctly, you’ll see a full Android desktop appear. It runs quickly and integrates smoothly with your system.
Installing Apps
Waydroid doesn’t include Google Play Services by default for licensing reasons, but you can install any APK manually using adb:
adb install my-app.apk
Alternatively, you can install app stores like Aurora Store or F-Droid for easier access to Android applications.
Things That Work Well
- Clipboard Sync: Copy text from Linux and paste it into Android.
- Network Access: Apps like browsers work out of the box.
- Window and Fullscreen Modes: Easily toggle between them.
- Performance: Boots faster and uses fewer resources than traditional emulators.
Known Issues and Limitations
- Works only on Wayland, not X11.
- Some kernel modules (e.g.,
binder_linux,ashmem_linux) may require manual enabling. - Google Play Store is not preinstalled but can be sideloaded if needed.
Why I Use It
I primarily use Waydroid for:
- Testing Android UI components before committing to GitHub
- Running Android-exclusive applications
- Debugging React Native builds without relying on heavy emulators
Waydroid provides a stable, lightweight environment that integrates seamlessly with a Linux workflow.
Conclusion
Waydroid feels like the missing piece in Linux’s mobile-app ecosystem. It’s fast, minimal, and reliable. Whether you’re a developer, a power user, or simply curious about Android integration on Linux, Waydroid is worth exploring.