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Android (Waydroid)

Software & Apps 2026-04-01

Waydroid runs a full Android system in a container on Shanios. It integrates with the Wayland compositor so Android apps appear as native windows. Waydroid is pre-installed and pre-configured — you just need to initialise it.

What's Pre-installed

  • waydroid — the container runtime
  • waydroid-helper — automated setup and management tool
  • waydroid-container.service — enabled at boot
  • python-pyclip — clipboard integration between Android and host
  • android-tools — adb and fastboot
  • android-udev — udev rules for Android device access
  • Firewall rules pre-configured (DNS 53/udp, DHCP 67/udp, waydroid0 in trusted zone)

Initial Setup

# One-command setup using the pre-installed helper
sudo waydroid-helper init

# Waydroid will download the Android system image automatically.
# This requires an internet connection and takes a few minutes.

After init completes, Waydroid appears in your app launcher. Android apps can be launched from there or via the terminal.

Google Play Store and ARM Apps

The default Waydroid image is AOSP without Google services. For Play Store access, install GApps after initialisation:

pip install waydroid-script --break-system-packages
sudo waydroid-script install gapps

After installing GApps, open the Play Store and sign in with your Google account. You may need to register your device ID at google.com/android/uncertified if the Play Store blocks downloads.

ARM app compatibility is handled by libhoudini (Intel's ARM-to-x86 translation), included in the Shanios Waydroid setup. Most ARM-compiled Android apps run transparently.

Basic Usage

# Start the Waydroid session
waydroid session start

# Launch the Android app drawer (full Android UI)
waydroid show-full-ui

# Stop the session
waydroid session stop

# Check status
waydroid status

Installing Android Apps

From APK files

# Install an APK
waydroid app install /path/to/app.apk

# List installed apps
waydroid app list

# Launch a specific app by package name
waydroid app launch com.example.app

# Remove an app
waydroid app remove com.example.app

Via ADB

# Connect ADB to the running Waydroid instance
adb connect 192.168.250.1:5555

# Install an APK via ADB
adb install app.apk

# Open a shell inside Android
adb shell

Clipboard Integration

The python-pyclip package enables clipboard sharing between Android apps and your Linux desktop. Copy text in an Android app and paste it in a Linux app, and vice versa — automatically.

File Sharing

# Android's shared storage is accessible on the host at:
ls ~/waydroid/data/media/0/

# Copy files into Android
cp myfile.pdf ~/waydroid/data/media/0/Downloads/

Performance Tips

# Check if hardware acceleration is working
waydroid prop get persist.waydroid.width

# Force a specific resolution (useful for HiDPI displays)
waydroid prop set persist.waydroid.width 1920
waydroid prop set persist.waydroid.height 1080

# Reset display settings to default
waydroid prop set persist.waydroid.width ""
waydroid prop set persist.waydroid.height ""

Managing the Service

# The container service is enabled at boot — check its status
systemctl status waydroid-container

# Restart the container
sudo systemctl restart waydroid-container

# Stop the container (frees memory when not in use)
sudo systemctl stop waydroid-container

# View Waydroid logs
journalctl -u waydroid-container -f

Storage

Waydroid data lives in the @waydroid Btrfs subvolume mounted at /var/lib/waydroid. It persists across all system updates and rollbacks. The Android system image, installed apps, and user data all reside here.

Firewall

Firewall rules are pre-configured during installation:

  • Port 53/udp (DNS) and 67/udp (DHCP) are open for the waydroid0 interface
  • The waydroid0 interface is in the trusted firewall zone
  • Packet forwarding is enabled

No manual firewall configuration is needed.

Troubleshooting

# Re-initialise Waydroid if something goes wrong
sudo waydroid-helper init --force

# Check for missing kernel modules
sudo modprobe binder_linux
sudo modprobe ashmem_linux   # older kernels only; not needed on 6.x+

# Verify binder is available
ls /dev/binder /dev/anbox-binder 2>/dev/null || echo "binder not found"

# Full reset (removes all Android data and apps)
sudo waydroid init -f

Tips

  • Waydroid requires a Wayland session — it does not work under XWayland or on X11-only desktops
  • For Google Play Store support, use a community GApps package (not included by default)
  • Battery and suspend management: stop the waydroid-container service when not in use to save power
  • Android apps are sandboxed inside the Waydroid container and cannot access your Linux files unless you explicitly share them via the ~/.local/share/waydroid/data/media/0/ path