How to Install Kali Linux On Android

In this article, we will learn how to install Kali Linux on Android smartphones without rooting the device.

Kali Linux is one of the best-loved operating systems of hackers, security researchers, and pentesters.

It offers an advanced penetration testing tool and its ease of use means that it should be a part of every security professional’s toolbox.

Kali Linux on Android smartphones and tablets allows researchers and pentesters to perform ” security checks” on Networks like cracking Wi-Fi passwords, finding vulnerabilities/bugs, or cracking security on websites.

Here is how you can install Kali Linux on Android smartphones without rooting your phone.

Install Kali Linux on Android Phone

Before we begin with the process of how to install and run Kali Linux on an Android smartphone you will need to download the apps provided below:

Prerequisite:

Android Smartphone (No root required)
install Termux
install NetHunter-KeX client
install Hacker’s Keyboard

Installation:

After installing the above-mentioned apps. Open Termux, if it gets stuck on your phone then press enter.

Now we need to install some packages using Termux. To do so just copy, paste, and enter the commands provided below.

Update the system using the following command

$ pkg update && pkg upgrade -y

Set up system storage.

kali@kali:~$ termux-setup-storage

Download Kali Linux

kali@kali:~$ wget -O install-nethunter-termux https://offs.ec/2MceZWr

Adding execution privilege to the downloaded Kali Linux file

kali@kali:~$ chmod +x install-nethunter-termux

Installing Kali Linux on Android

kali@kali:~$ ./install-nethunter-termux

The above-mentioned commands will fetch, download and install Kali Linux on your phone. Since the file is around 1.5GB in size it can take some time to download.

Once downloaded you can run Kali NetHunter from the CLI

To start Kali NetHunter type in the following command

nethunter

Provided below are some of the helpful Kali Nethunter commands for your Android phone

`nethunter kex passwd`	configure the KeX password (only needed before 1st use)
`nethunter kex &`	start Kali NetHunter Desktop Experience user sessions
`nethunter kex stop`	stop Kali NetHunter Desktop Experience
`nethunter <command>`	run in NetHunter environment
`nethunter -r`	start Kali NetHunter cli as root
`nethunter -r kex passwd`	configure the KeX password for root
`nethunter -r kex &`	start Kali NetHunter Desktop Experience as root
`nethunter -r kex stop`	stop Kali NetHunter Desktop Experience root sessions
`nethunter -r kex kill`	Kill all KeX sessions
`nethunter -r <command>`	run `<command>` in NetHunter environment as root

Wrapping UP

So we have successfully installed Kali Linux on non-rooted Android Smartphones.

72 COMMENTS

Akhil September 8, 2015 At 2:46 pm

Did it can brick my phone or it is safe??

- bugsbunny October 22, 2016 At 5:22 am
  
  Its perfectly safe. Its not even actual Kali. Its just a sandbox. You couldnt do much with it anyway. More of like a rip-off of kali
  
varg September 13, 2015 At 4:50 am

My installation is on a loop of failure when it is trying to download the Packages. It keeps showing that the download failed and that it is retrieving, validating and then retrying the failed download. What can I do from here?

Chetan September 13, 2015 At 5:07 pm

Can we use simultaneously Android and Linux on same smartphone? Second thing is can i know where can we install Android from on smartphone or its steps? Thanks BTW nice info.

IModz September 13, 2015 At 9:28 pm

I have successfully installed Kali on my phone (Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5839i w/out sim card) but when I try to start Kali in LinuxDeploy, SSH and VNC everytime fail to init, wtf?

dpc September 14, 2015 At 11:00 am

tested on my huawei g700-u10 – works thx, nog gonna try on my samsung tab4

QWERTY October 28, 2015 At 3:32 pm

*Your device must have loop device support ( PRESS MENU BUTTON, select Status. Read the log, you will see if your device supports loop device)

more info from here:

https://github.com/meefik/linuxdeploy/wiki/Kali-Linux-Mini-Documentation

harsh October 30, 2015 At 9:27 am

Error in VNC :::
The port on which the computer is listening for a connection could not be contacted.

- marrc January 30, 2016 At 6:26 am
  
  same here bullshit
  
- Anon January 31, 2016 At 9:29 pm
  
  When Linux Deploy has finished installing Kali Linux, you first have to press “Start” before trying to connect using your VNC viewer.
  
- Joshua January 27, 2017 At 8:39 am
  
  Same here too
  What to do then ?
  
- raza March 4, 2017 At 8:50 am
  
  Yes same problem if u have any solution plezz give me
  
Shubham November 14, 2015 At 4:33 pm

done it through complete linux installer but getting Grey screen in VNC viewer

ajay soni November 20, 2015 At 6:00 pm

Hello sir I’m try to install Kali Linux it is
install for long time it is struck on install it is not install sir please help me ,actualy i am using 2G connection .
Thanks sir

tanmay November 24, 2015 At 3:04 pm

I am not able to install kali linux on android it says
“Updating configuration file….done
>>>intall
/data/data/ru.meefik.linuxdeploy/linux/bin/linuxdeploy : 1989 grep:Permission denied
ash: bad number
This container is already mounted
<<<install"

Plzz help

Sagar November 26, 2015 At 12:23 pm

Which mob use for the better & easy to install these operating system…
means abt ram ?
or internal ?

- Akshay April 15, 2017 At 9:40 am
  
  You should must have a mobile with atleast 2 gb ram and 5 gb internal memory
  
  - dude May 19, 2017 At 12:10 pm
    
    my lenovo s939 with 1 gb ram worked perfectly
    
Sean Reichle November 26, 2015 At 6:51 pm

A VNC connection to a Kali Linux install is not the same thing as a local installation. I am interested in an ARM compilation of Kali installed as boot OS on an android device. Anyone have success with that?

gokul December 8, 2015 At 4:31 pm

I installed Kali Linux and am able eto successfully run it
but the problem is when I try to download the Kali tools the download speed is very poor which is at the rate 7or 8 kbps
how to improve the speed
my wifi bandwidth is good

Belal Khan December 9, 2015 At 2:00 pm

Any risk in installing this?

- kettavan December 3, 2018 At 2:52 pm
  
  no its safe
  
Rogue December 16, 2015 At 10:02 pm

NETHUNTER -Need I say more?

- Xurmum January 13, 2016 At 1:33 am
  
  Yes because that only supports bs devices.
  
  - worsthorst January 22, 2016 At 9:04 am
    
    you talk bullshit man!! nethunter supports any device, just some work needed to port it 😉 this process became even easier since 3.0 …. do your homework before trashing around. theres nothing to add. nethunter is the way to go if you want a fullfledged WORKING kali on your phone….
    
    - chirag March 6, 2016 At 9:07 am
      
      hey I want to install Kali nethunter on my phone please contact me [email protected]
      
    - will.I.am February 19, 2017 At 2:18 am
      
      You are right that nethunter is the way to go but wrong in saying other phones are supported. If it must be ported then by the very nature of porting it is not supported. It will be when someone has ported it to the particular phone and offsec has announced it as supported. Until then you are simply hacking the wrong version to possibly work. Now dont you look silly bitching at that guys legitimate comment.
      
Ervin December 18, 2015 At 9:03 pm

I have done it but my Aquaris e4.5 says : The port on which the computer is listening for a connection could not be contacted>
So 1) What can I do now?
2) How can I remove Kali linux from my device?
\Please help me

ajay December 21, 2015 At 12:51 pm

Great and informative step by step process thanks for share with us but please if You have any way by which i can install kali linux on my non rooted phone please share it with me,i will thankfull to you.

parth December 28, 2015 At 2:23 pm

I already installed kali linux img file using complete linux installer. How can I run it in linux deploy? Can you please tell me because the tutorial here is for downloading the img file using linux deploy, but I already have the img file.

kashif January 5, 2016 At 7:45 pm

i install it on my tablet but the system applications are not running..
internet is also not working..wifi not working…and most important terminal is also not working…
help me please…

worsthorst January 22, 2016 At 9:02 am

sure internet (within kali) isnt working, thats the bad of using linux deploy! it uses internet connection to vnc or ssh into kali which makes all the stuff pretty much obsolete. you may circumvent the issue if you´re going to use Gx/LTE connection to connect and apply a NIC to your device via OTG/YOTG cable. anyways i found this all to be veeeeeeery bad options. dunno why all you guys with samsung and nexus devices dont flash nethunter, its way superiour to this way shown here. everythings working as it should and since few weeks nethunter upgraded to 3.0 and you´re free to port it to any device!! porting process became more easy, if you dont have the feeling being ble to port to your device yourself have a look around at XDA and Github. there are dozens of ports to othert devices…. i have no clue why terminal shouldnt work though. i only once installed using deploy, it way sucks and isnt much of a fun…. better ditch it 🙂