Waydroid

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Waydroid is a container-based compatibility layer that enables Android to run in a containerized environment on non-Android Linux-based operating systems. By using Linux namespaces, Waydroid keeps Android isolated but allows it to access the host system's hardware. Built on a customized version of LineageOS, it enables Android applications to function alongside desktop Linux applications on conventional desktop and laptop personal computers and other non-Android Linux-based mobile devices.[1]

Overview

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Waydroid utilizes Linux namespaces and a system image based on LineageOS.[2] The software requires use of the Wayland display protocol.[3] Waydroid does not include a processor emulation layer, meaning it can only run software that was compiled for the CPU architecture of the host device.[4]

Waydroid was created to facilitate the use of Android apps on Linux-based platforms. It is based on ideas from previous projects, such as Anbox, which also aimed to run Android using containerization techniques. Although primarily developed for Halium-based Linux phones, Waydroid is compatible with any device using a Linux kernel.[5][4][3]

Forks

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In 2024, it was reported that Valve Corporation had been using Waydroid as a component of a future Steam component similar to Proton on 64-bit ARM architecture.[6] The following year, Valve unveiled its new SteamOS-based virtual reality headset Steam Frame, which includes an Android runtime environment to target VR software developed for headsets such as Meta Quest.[7][8] The layer was later revealed to be named "Lepton", [9]

See also

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Sources

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  1. ^ "Waydroid".
  2. ^ waydroid/waydroid, WayDroid, 2024-11-06, retrieved 2024-11-07
  3. ^ a b Smith, Jesse (2021-11-15). "DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 943: First impressions of Waydroid". DistroWatch. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  4. ^ a b Davenport, Corbin (2021-07-29). "WayDroid can run Android apps on Linux without slowdowns". XDA. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  5. ^ Diener, Derrik (2024-03-19). "WayDroid is the Easiest Way to Run Android Apps on Linux". How-To Geek. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  6. ^ "Valve appear to be testing ARM64 and Android support for Steam on Linux". GamingOnLinux. 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  7. ^ Hollister, Sean (2025-11-12). "Valve is welcoming Android games into Steam". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-11-13.
  8. ^ Hamilton, Ian; Heaney, David (2025-11-12). "Steam Frame Hands-On: UploadVR's Impressions Of Valve's New Headset". UploadVR. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  9. ^ "Valve's version of Android on Linux (based on Waydroid) is now called Lepton". GamingOnLinux. 2025-12-02. Retrieved 2025-12-04.