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NeoTTY

A new terminal app for Android devices...

NeoTTY was started as an experimental fork of Termux terminal emulator project and is focused on providing full-fledged Linux system usage experience. This app runs a headless x86_64 emulated machine with Alpine Linux operating system. User device is not required to be rooted or have any other kind of special configuration.

Best experience is achievable on top-spec devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (newer) and 50+ GB of free disk space. Please consider that NeoTTY typically will run in parallel with other apps and you will want enough resources for everything.

This app is not a subject for Android OS compatibility issues and restrictions for binary execution and child processes.

Disclaimer: this project initially was made for personal use. Assuming it could be useful for someone else, I decided to share it free of charge. As Android development is not my occupation, bug reports and feature requests will not be processed.

Repository normally will be kept in archived state with updates published once in a long while.

If you find NeoTTY useful, please consider supporting developer by making a donation using cryptocurrency:

  • Bitcoin: bc1qp4paa22t8l2apwfuujp6des6e90p7lm8zmhd7s
  • Litecoin: ltc1q2yne7e2p5ypf2ky0j3tg3vd6yktd5u57rmlly9
  • Ethereum: 0x76c7f1FC3C7396396fBD7e8cBDc2fc741FFa4aFa
  • Tron: TUP941DmHfrBNxvbcYkThx9hHrskU7FyTa

How can you use this app

NeoTTY similar to personal computer device, but without display. You are given a virtual serial console terminal, cdrom with Alpine Linux, two empty hard disks and network connection. As soon as your tasks do not require graphics, high performance or real hardware access, you are free in possible actions.

Few ideas to get started:

  • Explore the world of Linux and Open Source Software =)

    NeoTTY provides you a playground with a full-fledged Linux installation. If broke something, just reset the app and begin with fresh environment. Your changes won't affect host device.

  • Build own programs with ASM, C, C++, Go, Java, Node.js, Python, Rust, etc

    Program with ASM, C, C++, Go, Java, Node.js, Python, Rust or any other language you want. The most common build tools are available in Alpine Linux repositories. If not, you can try compiling them from source.

  • Host a dockerized web application

    Experiments confirmed that one can host a complex web application inside QEMU on mobile device with enough performance for 1 - 3 users.

    Although with something like NextCloud performance lags are expected.

  • Access remote servers

    Easily SSH into remote server or mount cloud storage as local directory. All necessary software is available.

  • Do hacking of any kind (except where hardware access required)

    Pentesting, reverse engineering... you know

    However access to real hardware is disabled by design and will never be implemented. Don't try to use NeoTTY to root your Android device or access USB dongles. This isn't going to work.

  • Hide content on LUKS encrypted volume

    Although there is no 100% proof, the NeoTTY app should be fully resistant to possible user data proactive scanning that can be initiated by Google or manufacturer if they would be obligated by piece of paper law.

    Beware of forensics guys. They are triggered by presence of encryption rather than by actual content. Keep your device away from third party persons (applicable even if you are not user of NeoTTY :)).

Many common packages are bundled within intergated Alpine Linux ISO file to make the NeoTTY suitable for offline use and make it self-sufficient in SHTF conditions. This includes basic system utilities; software build tools such as compilers, interpreters and development libraries; text editors; archivers and compressors; encryption utilities; backup utilities; media file format utilities. APK file size expected to be unusually big but I tend to keep it around 2GB.

screenshot

The instructions on how to use the application are shown by /etc/motd after login. If you need details on how to work with Alpine Linux, please visit its Wiki.

Noting that NeoTTY is for people who have at least basic experience of installing and working with Linux systems. If you are not familiar with this, have troubles with shell scripting or just not comfortable with text-only interfaces, then NeoTTY will not provide you a great experience.