anbox

Launch Anbox into the app manager

$ anbox launch --package=[org.anbox.appmgr] --component=[org.anbox.appmgr.AppViewActivity]

anbox [options] command

launch
    Launch a specific Android application using its unique ID.

session-manager
    Starts the Anbox session manager.

system-info
    Prints system information relevant to Anbox.

--android-sdk-path
    Set the path to the Android SDK. Helpful for development or debugging.

--data-path
    Set the path to the Anbox data directory.

--graphics
    Force to use gles or vulkan backend.

--help
    Display help information.

--version
    Show version information.

Anbox is a container-based approach to boot a full Android system on a regular GNU/Linux system. It allows you to run Android applications without virtualization or emulation. Instead, it uses Linux namespaces (user, pid, uts, net, mount, ipc) to isolate the Android system from the host OS. Android applications are integrated with your Linux desktop, offering a near-native experience. Anbox leverages OpenGL ES acceleration and Vulkan where available, utilizing the host system's hardware for graphics rendering.

Instead of emulating an ARM processor, Anbox uses the host system's kernel. This results in improved performance compared to traditional emulators. Anbox targets developers and users who want to run Android apps on Linux desktops without the overhead of full virtualization. Applications appear as native Linux windows, providing a seamless user experience. It is important to consider the potential security implications of running Android apps in this containerized manner.

Anbox depends on specific kernel modules (ashmem_linux and binder_linux). Not all hardware and drivers are fully compatible, which can lead to performance issues or crashes. Security is a concern, as Android applications are running with a degree of isolation but still interact with the host OS.

Installation instructions depend on the Linux distribution. Typically, it involves adding a package repository and installing the Anbox package. Verify that necessary kernel modules (ashmem_linux, binder_linux) are loaded. Package managers like apt, yum, or pacman can be used.

Common issues include graphics driver incompatibility, missing kernel modules, and problems with the Android system image. Check system logs for error messages. Ensure the host system meets the minimum requirements. dmesg may provide useful kernel-level information regarding module loading.

Anbox was originally developed by Simon Fels in 2015. The goal was to offer a way to run Android applications on Linux distributions without using emulation. Its design prioritizes performance by utilizing containerization techniques. The project has evolved over time, with ongoing efforts to improve compatibility, stability, and graphics rendering. The project aims to integrate android apps in a seamless matter on the user linux environment. It has seen adoption by developers and users interested in running Android apps directly on their Linux desktops.

docker(1), lxc(1)