Developer(s) | UserLAnd Technologies, LLC |
---|---|
Initial release | October 17, 2018 |
Stable release | 2.7.3
/ August 5, 2020[1]
|
Repository |
github |
Written in | Kotlin and Java |
Operating system | Android |
Size | 14.04 MB |
Available in | 10 languages |
List of languages | |
Type | Compatibility layer |
License | GPLv3 |
Website |
userland |
UserLAnd Technologies is a free and open-source compatibility layer mobile app that allows Linux distributions, computer programs, computer games and numerical computing programs to run on mobile devices without requiring a root account. UserLAnd also provides a program library of popular free and open-source Linux-based programs to which additional programs and different versions of programs can be added.
The name "UserLAnd" is a reference to the concept of userland in modern computer operating systems.
Unlike other Linux compatibility layer mobile apps, UserLAnd does not require a root account. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] UserLAnd's ability to function without root directories, also known as " rooting," avoids " bricking" or the non-functionality of the mobile device while the Linux program is in use, which in addition to making the mobile device non-functional may void the device's warranty. [4] Furthermore, the requirement of programs other than UserLAnd to "root" your mobile device has proven a formidable challenge for inexperienced Linux users. [6] A prior application, GNURoot Debian, attempted to similarly run Linux programs on mobile devices, but it has ceased to be maintained and, therefore, is no longer operational. [6]
UserLAnd allows those with a mobile device to run Linux programs, many of which aren't available as mobile apps. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Even for those Linux applications, e.g. Firefox, which have mobile versions available, people often find that their user experience with these mobile versions pales in comparison with their desktop. [11] UserLAnd allows its users to recreate that desktop experience on their mobile device.
UserLAnd currently only operates on Android mobile devices. UserLAnd is available for download on Google Play and F-Droid. [12] [13]
To use UserLAnd, one must first download – typically from F-Droid or the Google Play Store – the application and then install it. [4] [5] [6] [11] Once installed, a user selects an app to open. [4] [5] [6] [11] When a program is selected, the user is prompted to enter login information and select a connection type. [4] [5] [6] [11] Following this, the user gains access to their selected program. [4] [5] [6] [11]
UserLAnd is pre-loaded with the distributions Alpine, Arch, Debian, Kali, and Ubuntu; the web browser Firefox; the desktop environments LXDE and Xfce; the deployment environments Git and IDLE; the text-based games Colossal Cave Adventure and Zork; the numerical computing programs gnuplot, GNU Octave and R; the office suite LibreOffice; and the graphics editors GIMP and Inkscape. Further Linux programs and different versions of programs may be added to this program library.
A review on Slant.co listed UserLAnd's "Pro's": support for VNC X sessions, no "rooting" required, easy setup, and that it's free and open-source; and "Con's": its lack of support for Lollipop and the difficulty of use for non-technical users. [14] On the contrary, OS Journal found that the lack of a need to "root" your mobile device made using UserLAnd considerably easier than Linux compatibility layer applications, a position shared with SlashGear's review of UserLAnd. [6] [8] OS Journal went on to state that with UserLAnd one could do "almost anything" and "you’re (only) limited by your insanity" with respect to what you can do with the application. [6] Linux Journal stated that "UserLAnd offers a quick and easy way to run an entire Linux distribution, or even just a Linux application or game, from your pocket." [3] SlashGear stated that UserLAnd is "absolutely super simple to use and requires little to no technical knowledge to get off the ground running." [8]