How to Install Termux on Android: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Termux is a free and open-source terminal emulator and comprehensive Linux environment for Android devices that requires zero root access. Unlike traditional terminal apps that only offer basic shell wrappers, Termux provides a full Linux user-space environment complete with a dedicated APT/PKG package manager, standard compilers, and multi-shell capabilities right on your smartphone.

Whether you are a developer compiling C/Python code on the go, a sysadmin managing remote servers over SSH, or a tech enthusiast exploring command-line utilities, Termux transforms your Android phone or tablet into a portable development workstation.

Prerequisites & System Compatibility

Before installing Termux, ensure your Android device meets the following basic requirements:

• Android OS Version: Android 7.0 (Nougat) or higher (Android 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 fully supported).
• Processor Architecture: ARM (armeabi-v7a), ARM64 (aarch64), x86, or x86_64.
• Free Internal Storage: At least 250 MB free disk space for the base system (1 GB+ recommended if installing compilers or Python).
• Root Permissions: Not required. Termux runs completely in Android user space.

How to Install Termux on Android (Step-by-Step)

1

Visit the F-Droid Termux Package Page

Open your mobile browser (such as Chrome, Brave, or Firefox) and navigate to the official Termux page on the F-Droid repository: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.termux/

Figure 1: Official Termux application page on F-Droid

2

Download the APK File

Scroll down past the permissions overview to the Packages section. Tap on the Download APK link (approximately 97 MB).

Figure 2: Scroll down to locate the Download APK button

3

Install the Downloaded APK

Once the download finishes, tap the notification or open your device’s Downloads folder. Tap com.termux_118.apk to start installation. If prompted by Android security, toggle “Allow from this source” to permit third-party app installations.

Figure 3: Tap on the downloaded APK to install

4

Launch Termux & Initialize Environment

Open the Termux app from your app drawer. On first startup, Termux will unpack and extract essential bootstrap packages into its local container. In a few seconds, you will be greeted by the Termux welcome screen.

Figure 4: Termux welcome screen displaying package documentation

pkg update && pkg upgrade -y

6

Configure Device Storage Permissions

By default, Termux is sandboxed inside its own private app directory. To grant Termux read and write access to your phone’s internal storage (Downloads, DCIM, Documents), run the storage setup script:

BASH Copy

termux-setup-storage

Figure 5: Executing the termux-setup-storage command

7

Confirm Storage Permission Dialog

An Android system permission dialog will appear requesting access to photos, media, and files on your device. Tap Allow. This creates a symlink directory located at ~/storage/shared that links directly to your internal storage.

Figure 6: Click Allow to grant file storage access

Essential Linux Commands Demonstration in Termux

Once your environment is set up, practice these fundamental Linux commands to navigate and manage files directly inside Termux:

pwd 1. Print Working Directory

Displays the absolute path of the directory you are currently working in. By default, your home path is /data/data/com.termux/files/home:

Figure 7: Using pwd to inspect the current path

touch 2. Create Blank Files

Instantly creates a new, empty file in your current working directory without opening an editor:

Figure 8: Creating files using the touch command

ls 3. List Files and Directories

Displays all files, folders, and symlinks inside the active folder. Notice that directories appear in purple/blue and files in white:

Figure 9: Listing files and directories with ls

mkdir 4. Create New Directories

Creates a new folder or directory hierarchy to organize your scripts and projects:

Figure 10: Creating a new folder with mkdir

cd 5. Change Directory & Travel Paths

Navigates between different directory locations. Notice how the green shell prompt updates to display your new folder location:

Figure 11: Navigating into a new directory with cd

Troubleshooting Common Termux Issues

1. Fixing “Repository Under Maintenance” or 404 Package Errors

If you encounter E: Repository '...' is not signed or 404 Not Found when running pkg update, the default mirror might be temporarily offline. You can switch to an active global mirror using the interactive mirror tool:

termux-change-repo

Select Main repository, choose Mirrors by Grimler or A1RM9, and press OK to automatically reconfigure your package sources.

2. Fixing Background Process Killing on Android 12, 13, and 14

Modern Android versions include a Phantom Process Killer that aggressively shuts down background terminal tasks using significant CPU. To prevent Termux from closing unexpectedly while compiling code or running servers:

1. Go to device Settings > Apps > Termux.
2. Under Battery, select Unrestricted (disable battery optimization).
3. Lock Termux in your Recent Apps switcher.

Automated Development Setup Script (setup_termux.sh)

To avoid manually installing common development packages one by one, copy and execute this automated setup script. It updates repositories, configures storage, and installs Python, Git, C/C++ (Clang), CMake, PRoot Distro, and OpenSSH in a single step:

#!/data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin/bash
# 1. Update and upgrade repositories
pkg update -y && pkg upgrade -y

# 2. Grant Storage Access
termux-setup-storage

# 3. Install core development toolchains
pkg install -y curl wget git build-essential clang cmake python python-pip nano proot-distro openssh

# 4. Configure Python
python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)