- It is very responsive and smooth
- Install just following instructions described
- F-droid works
- Apps installed from F-droid works
- Full screen videos from Newpipe play smoothly
* The bad
- Had to enable "invert colors" to get correct colors
- Mouse scroll is inverted
- Can't choose correct layout of physical keyboard because android thinks there's no physical keyboard connected
- Android gestures on the desktop are annoying
- Can't access whole screen of vertical apps and they appear sideways on my screen
- Multiwindow mode didn't work at first
* The ugly:
- Nothing is actually ugly. Everything mostly works as expected
One of the major advantages of Waydroid that I've found is that it's lighter than Anbox. I know some here have compute to spare, but it makes a big difference on my Pinephone :)
It's still early days for Waydroid, but it's also decidedly a step forwards.
Has anyone had success getting any of these containers to work with a camera?
Recently, my bank discontinued their website based deposit system for checks in favor of their app. I'm reluctant to keep an app with full access to my account on my phone, so a container system like Waydroid or Anbox would be great if I could just emulate the app when I need it. Has anyone else run into this issue and, if so, how have you dealt with it?
I have tried Waydroid in Manjaro Linux, and to my surprise, it runs smoothly. I even able to install Aurora Store and install Telegram from there, which also run perfectly. RAM usage was minimal, maybe because of it is running on a container.
The only thing I haven't figured out is keyboard input from my physical keyboard directly to the android.
We figured mentioning it in the docs under dependencies was enough (https://docs.waydro.id/usage/install-on-desktops). We will add it to the website instructions as well then to make things more clear.
I am, of course, not naive enough to think that there's a good chance of it happening -- but I nevertheless strongly feel this way about every large tech company that isn't Microsoft not mentioning that they use Linux.
I wish I could setup waydroid on Raspberry Pi so that I can finally use hotstar/primevideo and netflix on my dumb tv.
I had bought firestick in past that is now stuck on boot loop for over a year. I have decided not buy these sticks or smart TV where I have little to no control over Software.
One of the biggest problems with anbox and ARC was that they would need to do tons of work on each new android version. If somebody is willing to keep updating this for new versions of android at least every other android release then it’s reasonable to say this will work long term, otherwise people will use of a year then abandon it.. so Google is now switching to using arcvm where they use a VM instead of trying to do a bunch of work to make android apps run in chromeOS running in a container that requires the right kernel and special compatibility libs / services running to pretend to be android.
Waydroid has Android use your actual Linux kernel, so on an x86-64 host you’ll run x86-64 Android, and on an ARM host, ARM Android. This means that there will be some apps that won’t run on your Intel/AMD computer. I have no idea at all how common it is for Android apps to be tied to ARM, but I imagine that ARM64 will have helped with architecture-neutrality.
> "We're reusing what Android implemented within the QEMU-based emulator for OpenGL ES accelerated rendering."
I'm not certain but I believe WayDroid more directly attempts to provide Android drawing subsystems on top of Wayland. This should be better/faster. Cross fingers.
Compatibility wise, I'm unsure. Anbox may be a more faithful Android platform perhaps. Waydroid feels like it's a closer integration to me, with less virtualized-machinery, which is a much wider support target since it's running directly atop a wide variety of hosts. But I for one am very glad we have a closer integrated option, one where Android apps are running more within the Linux desktop context.
There's probably a bunch wrong with my understandings here. Hoping some even better informed people can correct/supplement.
> - Does it allows me to watch DRM streaming services on my linux box?
It doesn't include a HSM, so if it does allow you to watch DRM content, it'll only be Widevine level 3 content, which most services restrict to 420p or sometimes 720p streaming.
I'm glad to recently switch to Linux as my primary OS with things like these available. Windows 11's android app integration now doesn't sound as appealing.
Can anyone post a list of terminal commands to install Waydroid in Ubuntu 21? I'm a total Linux noob who just migrated from Windows.
I got as far as:
Sudo apt install python3 && curl && lxc
I don't know how to word the install for wayland session manager.
FWIW you can just run a Wayland compositor in a window on X. Not sure if there's a way to get it working without the root window to make it seamless, but it's still an option.
EDIT: Actually I tried it and this doesn't want to work in an instance of weston running on top of X; not sure where the failure is.
BBB requires non-free drivers for the GPU, which are a huge PITA even if you don't mind them being non-free. You would end up with more-or-less a Nokia N9 clone.
It's better to use something like i.MX 8M Quad - you may want to take a look at the Librem 5; or if you want something lower-end than that then there's also the PinePhone which is based on A64.
If Google privacy invasion is what you fear, then there are simpler solutions. Simply installing lineageOS on a supported android device yields a functioning, de-googlified phone. Install only open source apps (from F-Droid, for example) and you're all set.
Android itself containerizes/isolates apps, with better & better security features in modern versions. LineageOS also adds their own layer of security (ex-PrivacyGuard) on top.
Granted, not all phones are created equal, meaning some of them will have restrictive bootloaders/need more proprietary drivers. It's possible some of them have spyware built in their bootloader/recovery/hardware, although I haven't heard of it. And of course there's 0 fully open-source android hardware phones.
Which, speaking of... this would be excellent on pinephone, which runs linux. Would allow running android apps on it, which is very very useful of course. I might finally bite the bullet and buy it...
What's different between this and anbox (other than support, focus, etc)?
How good is the 3d support, ie: Does it support a modern version of OpenGL ES? Can it process that via host hardware support (a la angle or similar)? Can it do that headlessly without an window server running on the host? Can the video output of the app be easily captured by nvenc or intel/amd equivalent?
Is arm translation supported natively or does it require plugins for the abi translation?
Are google's libraries (play services, play store, webview) or alternatives easy to install/supported?
Can the app data and system volume be mounted externally?
Can the system details (cpuid/flags, device name/mfg/model, android OS specifics) be provided/spoofed?
Can sensor inputs (gps location, tilt, multi-touch gestures, battery level, network status, camera/s) be easily simulated or passed from host sensor to the guest app? Can bluetooth be passed through from the host?
Would love for somebody to crush this space and not pivot immediately into commercial offering.
- 3D support is using Mesa, so full GL accelleration on supported hardware (sorry nVidia, your Open-Source game sucks)
- Arm translation is on the radar, and we have solutions in the works. Just nothing ready for the masses yet.
- No Google Play Services as of yet. Some of our builds do use MicroG, Aurora Store, and other FOSS apps & open-source GMS options.
- It uses LXC, so yes, you can mount whatever is needed, we just don't have an exemplary (easy) way to do it yet.
- We are using hardware passthroughs via binder, so eventually Waydroid (Android side) will be able to access the system details available to it. Same with sensor inputs.
- We would all love to get paid, doing what we enjoy. But for this project, we are not even collecting donations yet. Money isn't what is driving this project. That's not saying that collecting donations and sponsorships aren't on our radar, just that it's not a primary focus. Open-Innovation is.
I'm sorry if this is rude, but this comment reads really strangely. You seem to acknowledge that you really want something, whilst also accept you cannot do it for a lack of time|skill and then seem annoyed that the people who do ask for some kind of payment for their work?
This could be useful for web development. You could download a bunch of Android browsers and test your site(s) with them, without having to do that on a finicky phone (for those who want to do everything on a desktop PC)
One thing I've run into with these projects is that they don't work well in a multi user setting. Anbox specifically assumes that only a single user is present in the system and having multiple users with multiple app profiles seems to be entirely unsupported.
I can't find anything about that use case in the description here, but if anyone has tried it I'd love to hear if Waydroid would be a fit for my use case.
Followed instructions for 21.04 (distro = "hirsute"), greeted with complaint about binder missing. Found some bug report on the web suggesting I must rebuild my kernel to enable binder. Noped out of there.
Looks like a nice effort though. Is this some problem specific to 21.04 kernel config?
[+] [-] marcodiego|4 years ago|reply
* The good
* The bad * The ugly:[+] [-] marcodiego|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] 29083011397778|4 years ago|reply
It's still early days for Waydroid, but it's also decidedly a step forwards.
[+] [-] kxyvr|4 years ago|reply
Recently, my bank discontinued their website based deposit system for checks in favor of their app. I'm reluctant to keep an app with full access to my account on my phone, so a container system like Waydroid or Anbox would be great if I could just emulate the app when I need it. Has anyone else run into this issue and, if so, how have you dealt with it?
[+] [-] rd07|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] piaste|4 years ago|reply
Why Telegram specifically, when it already offers both a web client and a FOSS Linux client?
[+] [-] moondev|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] zekrioca|4 years ago|reply
[1] https://github.com/waydroid/waydroid/blob/bullseye/tools/hel...
[+] [-] gizdan|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] electrikjesus|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jrm4|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sodality2|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] 1hrow_away1|4 years ago|reply
I had bought firestick in past that is now stuck on boot loop for over a year. I have decided not buy these sticks or smart TV where I have little to no control over Software.
[+] [-] dannyw|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] logix|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jcuenod|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] xt00|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] marcodiego|4 years ago|reply
- Is it better/faster/more compatible than anbox?
- Runs on ARM?
- Does it allows me to watch DRM streaming services on my linux box?
- Can I install google play on it?
[+] [-] chrismorgan|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rektide|4 years ago|reply
From the Anbox website:
> "We're reusing what Android implemented within the QEMU-based emulator for OpenGL ES accelerated rendering."
I'm not certain but I believe WayDroid more directly attempts to provide Android drawing subsystems on top of Wayland. This should be better/faster. Cross fingers.
Compatibility wise, I'm unsure. Anbox may be a more faithful Android platform perhaps. Waydroid feels like it's a closer integration to me, with less virtualized-machinery, which is a much wider support target since it's running directly atop a wide variety of hosts. But I for one am very glad we have a closer integrated option, one where Android apps are running more within the Linux desktop context.
There's probably a bunch wrong with my understandings here. Hoping some even better informed people can correct/supplement.
[+] [-] Spivak|4 years ago|reply
It's a container so the arch matches the host kernel.
In general on LineageOS it's possible to install gapps.
You won't be able to watch DRM streaming services that require Widevine higher than L3 support.
[+] [-] genewitch|4 years ago|reply
Netflix and prime and Pluto do, at least. That's all I use, so I am curious. I don't stream anything else, no Roku or Android-tv or whatever.
[+] [-] judge2020|4 years ago|reply
It doesn't include a HSM, so if it does allow you to watch DRM content, it'll only be Widevine level 3 content, which most services restrict to 420p or sometimes 720p streaming.
https://support.google.com/widevine/answer/6072714?hl=en
[+] [-] hereme888|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hereme888|4 years ago|reply
I don't know how to word the install for wayland session manager.
And copy pasting the.... "export DISTRO="bullseye" && \ curl https://repo.waydro.id/waydroid.gpg > /usr/share/keyrings/waydroid.gpg && \ echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/waydroid.gpg] https://repo.waydro.id/ $DISTRO main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/waydroid.list && \ sudo apt update"
...told me permission denied to modify some files, even if I did it as "sudo".
I think once I get past that point I'll be able to type in the rest of the commands to start running it.
I think it would be lots of fun to run Android apps on a FOSS Android module. I was running LineageOS in VMWare within Windows, and it was ok.
Thanks!
[+] [-] jrm4|4 years ago|reply
But the front page doesn't make this too clear, can anyone confirm?
[+] [-] yjftsjthsd-h|4 years ago|reply
EDIT: Actually I tried it and this doesn't want to work in an instance of weston running on top of X; not sure where the failure is.
[+] [-] ZiiS|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] skerit|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] shrubble|4 years ago|reply
Use containers to segregate any apps, e.g. web browser, maps, Signal/Telegram all in a separate container from each other.
Would this allow for less privacy-invasion from Google etc.?
[+] [-] seba_dos1|4 years ago|reply
It's better to use something like i.MX 8M Quad - you may want to take a look at the Librem 5; or if you want something lower-end than that then there's also the PinePhone which is based on A64.
[+] [-] pinusc|4 years ago|reply
Android itself containerizes/isolates apps, with better & better security features in modern versions. LineageOS also adds their own layer of security (ex-PrivacyGuard) on top.
Granted, not all phones are created equal, meaning some of them will have restrictive bootloaders/need more proprietary drivers. It's possible some of them have spyware built in their bootloader/recovery/hardware, although I haven't heard of it. And of course there's 0 fully open-source android hardware phones.
Which, speaking of... this would be excellent on pinephone, which runs linux. Would allow running android apps on it, which is very very useful of course. I might finally bite the bullet and buy it...
[+] [-] dvdkon|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] fsflover|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tgtweak|4 years ago|reply
How good is the 3d support, ie: Does it support a modern version of OpenGL ES? Can it process that via host hardware support (a la angle or similar)? Can it do that headlessly without an window server running on the host? Can the video output of the app be easily captured by nvenc or intel/amd equivalent?
Is arm translation supported natively or does it require plugins for the abi translation?
Are google's libraries (play services, play store, webview) or alternatives easy to install/supported?
Can the app data and system volume be mounted externally?
Can the system details (cpuid/flags, device name/mfg/model, android OS specifics) be provided/spoofed?
Can sensor inputs (gps location, tilt, multi-touch gestures, battery level, network status, camera/s) be easily simulated or passed from host sensor to the guest app? Can bluetooth be passed through from the host?
Would love for somebody to crush this space and not pivot immediately into commercial offering.
[+] [-] electrikjesus|4 years ago|reply
- Arm translation is on the radar, and we have solutions in the works. Just nothing ready for the masses yet.
- No Google Play Services as of yet. Some of our builds do use MicroG, Aurora Store, and other FOSS apps & open-source GMS options.
- It uses LXC, so yes, you can mount whatever is needed, we just don't have an exemplary (easy) way to do it yet.
- We are using hardware passthroughs via binder, so eventually Waydroid (Android side) will be able to access the system details available to it. Same with sensor inputs.
- We would all love to get paid, doing what we enjoy. But for this project, we are not even collecting donations yet. Money isn't what is driving this project. That's not saying that collecting donations and sponsorships aren't on our radar, just that it's not a primary focus. Open-Innovation is.
[+] [-] kowlo|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jcuenod|4 years ago|reply
I believe Waydroid was originally "anbox-halium"—a rewrite with LXC to get closer to the metal.
[+] [-] seba_dos1|4 years ago|reply
You don't need ANGLE for that, Mesa supports OpenGL ES natively.
[+] [-] moritonal|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] spansoa|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jeroenhd|4 years ago|reply
I can't find anything about that use case in the description here, but if anyone has tried it I'd love to hear if Waydroid would be a fit for my use case.
[+] [-] sodimel|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] puppet-master|4 years ago|reply
Looks like a nice effort though. Is this some problem specific to 21.04 kernel config?
[+] [-] begueradj|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Dhrhdhxbxbx|4 years ago|reply
Does it support arm64 emulation on an x86_64 host? That way I could just run the backed up apks directly.