Waydroid

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

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

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

• Wine (software)