Local Linux on-device
Run a real Linux userland directly on the phone, no root required — a shell, a package manager, and (via the Desktops manager) full desktop environments, all side-by-side. A newer alternative runs an actual kernel: see Linux Guest (UML).
Local Shell (PRoot)
Run a real Linux terminal directly on your phone, no root required. Select “Local Shell (PRoot)” when creating a connection and Haven downloads a minimal Alpine Linux rootfs (~4 MB) on first use, giving you a full apk package manager — install Python, Node.js, git, build tools, or anything in Alpine’s package repository. Beyond Alpine, the Desktop → Manage view can install Debian (apt; 13 Trixie or 12 Bookworm), Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (apt), Arch Linux (pacman), and Void (xbps) rootfs side-by-side, each with its own package manager and a one-tap shell.
PRoot works by intercepting system calls in userspace (no kernel modifications), so it runs on any unrooted Android device. It does not require or use root access — the name “PRoot” stands for “ptrace-based root”, meaning it emulates a root filesystem without actual superuser privileges. Think of it as a lightweight container that runs entirely within Haven’s app sandbox.
How it compares to alternatives:
- Rooted phones (Magisk/su): Root gives full system access. PRoot is sandboxed — it can’t modify your system, but it also doesn’t need root to work.
- Android Terminal VM (Pixel 8+): Google’s official Linux VM runs a full kernel via pKVM. It’s more capable but only available on Pixel 8 and newer. PRoot runs on any device back to Android 8. Haven can SSH into an Android Terminal VM if you have one — see the connection settings.
- Termux: A standalone terminal emulator with its own package ecosystem. PRoot is lighter (4 MB vs ~100 MB) and integrated into Haven alongside your SSH/cloud sessions.
See PRoot documentation for technical details. For desktop environments on top of these distros, see Desktops → Local Desktops.