New updates for Android's Linux Terminal unveil the plan to turn it into a true Desktop OS

Google is quietly transforming Android into a powerful desktop operating system with its new Linux Terminal app, introduced in Android 15. The feature's ambitious goal is to finally allow developers to build apps directly on Android devices, a capability long enjoyed by users of macOS and Windows.

The app utilizes the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF) to run a full Debian Linux distribution in a secure virtual machine, providing a complete development environment on a phone or tablet.

The latest builds made significant progress and now support graphical user interfaces, allowing full-fledged desktop apps to run on Android. Testers have successfully launched applications like the Chromium browser, GIMP, and LibreOffice on a Pixel device, marking a major milestone.

This development highlights a move towards a unified ecosystem, as seen in Samsung's decision to phase out its DeX system in favor of Google's native solution, which focuses on greater ecosystem integration rather than proprietary features.

While performance currently lags and key tools still need ARM CPU support, the potential is enormous. The functionality could pave the way for Android to become a true competitor in the desktop space, potentially running Windows apps and games via compatibility layers.