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LineageOS, an Android Distribution can be installed on many Android devices, e.g. smartphones and tablets. But it usually needs a computer in the installation process. Is it possible to do it with Ubuntu Linux or is always a Windows system needed?

Pablo Bianchi
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  • Here I made a guide to install LineageOS from Ubuntu/Debian Linux. Good luck. https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/225649/installing-lineageos-on-samsung-galaxy-tab-s2-from-mac/258283#258283 https://medium.com/@t.vilmart/installing-open-source-android-lineageos-d4583ad557b9 EDIT: this answer does not provide a valid answer. It is just to provide links to help people. I do not want to have my full answer in both Ask Ubuntu and in Android Enthusiasts. – Thierry Vilmart Sep 19 '24 at 12:26

1 Answers1

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Yes, you can! All or most of the steps of the installation LineageOS can be done in Ubuntu Linux, just follow the instructions on the wiki of LineageOS, the instructions depends on the device.

LineageOS can be installed with Ubuntu (only) on a lot of devices, e.g. Nexus 6P, Galaxy S9.

But for some devices access to Windows is needed for some parts of the installation, e.g.

In case Windows is needed you can use for example QEMU-KVM, Virtualbox or VMware on your Ubuntu Linux computer. I used Virtualbox as this was the easiest in 2018:

  1. Install Virtualbox with a WindowsOS, see Virtualbox Wiki or this AU question.
  2. Be sure to install the Virtualbox extension pack is installed, see Virtual Box Wiki or this AU question.
  3. Activate USB 2.0 or 3.0 in the Virtualbox Settings: Enable USB Controller. enter image description here
  4. Open System->Administration->Users, and select your user name. Click "Manage Groups", and scroll down to vboxusers. Click "properties", the make sure your user ID is checked. Re-start VBOX and USB should work. Source: Softpedia.
  5. Then you should be able to connect your Android device with the Windows in the Virtualbox and e.g. do the steps needed to unlock your XIAOMI smartphone.
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    FYI, adding VirtualBox to a certain user group (I forget which exactly lol) is required in order for it to be able to access USB devices. – You'reAGitForNotUsingGit Jun 30 '18 at 12:46
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    My Galaxy S8 required the use of Odin software which was only on Windows. But I managed to run it easily on my existing Windows 10 VM in Ubuntu, with USB passthrough as suggested. – Vijay Prema Mar 29 '23 at 00:57
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    VirtualBox is not needed to create and use a Windows VM, as Linux has a native virtualization support built in, via QEMU-KVM. – raj Sep 20 '24 at 08:43