Anbox - Run Android Applications and Games

Whonix ®

Download

Windows Linux Mac VirtualBox KVM Qubes USB ISO (coming soon) More options Source Code

About

Overview Features Whonix vs VPNs Why Open Source? Project Activities Contributors Mission & Vision

Docs

Documentation FAQ Troubleshooting

Community

Forums Contribute

Support

Self Support First Policy Search Engines, Docs and AI Support (Limited) Reporting Bugs Contact (Restricted)

Tools Upload file Special pages Recent changes Print Version Page meta What links here Related changes Page information

Page Read Edit History Move Protection Unwatch Watch Delete Purge

User Preferences Watchlist Contributions Logout Create account Login

Donate

This page is archived.

https://anbox.io/ redirects to https://github.com/anbox which says it is deprecated.

Android OS Icon

Anbox allows Android applications and mobile games to run inside Whonix.

Introduction

COMMUNITY SUPPORT ONLY : THIS WHOLE WIKI PAGE is only supported by the community. Whonix developers are very unlikely to provide free support for this content. See Community Support for further information, including implications and possible alternatives.

Installation

To use Anbox with Whonix, apply the following steps.

1. Follow the general Kicksecure^™ specific instructions.

Since Whonix is based on Kicksecure^™, the user can follow these instructions Anbox (links to the Kicksecure^™ website)

2. Follow Whonix specific instructions.

3. Done.

Other Whonix specific notices can be found below.

Anbox Configuration

Derivative Specific

Disabling Whonix-Workstation^™ Firewall is unfortunately required. Otherwise there would be no network access.

Warning:

• This reduces security! Especially when using multiple Whonix-Workstation behind the same Whonix-Gateway^™.
  • Still no risk of clearnet IP leaks.

1. Inside Whonix-Workstation.

(Qubes-Whonix^™: inside StandaloneVM (better!) or Template).

sudo systemctl mask whonix-firewall

2. Disable systemcheck in Whonix-Workstation Firewall.

Open file /etc/systemcheck.d/50_user.conf in an editor with root rights.

Non-Qubes-Whonix^™

This box uses sudoedit for better security.

sudoedit /etc/systemcheck.d/50_user.conf

Qubes-Whonix^™

NOTES:

• When using Qubes-Whonix, this needs to be done inside the Template.

sudoedit /etc/systemcheck.d/50_user.conf

• After applying this change, shutdown the Template.
• All App Qubes based on the Template need to be restarted if they were already running.
• This is a general procedure required for Qubes and unspecific to Qubes-Whonix^™.

Others and Alternatives

• This is just an example. Other tools could achieve the same goal.
• If this example does not work for you or if you are not using Whonix, please refer to this link.

sudoedit /etc/systemcheck.d/50_user.conf

Paste.

systemcheck_skip_functions+=" check_whonix_firewall_systemd_status "

Save.

3. Reboot.

This is required to unload Whonix-Workstation firewall rules and to have Anbox load its firewall rules.

sudo reboot

Android x86 as a Workstation

There are both distinct advantages and disadvantages of running Android applications in Android x86 Workstation.

Table: Android x86 Workstation Advantages and Disadvantages

Category	Notes
Bootloader / Ramdisk	It is possible to use Magisk to achieve root permissions and hide root from applications on Android x86.
Flexibility	It is possible to use adb if Android x86 uses the same internal network as the Gateway and Workstation. Root access - Android x86 has a pre-installed superuser binary and manager so root access works out of the box. Applications with root access will work without any additional setup.
Networking	Android x86 provides a virtual Wi-Fi interface (wlan0) so applications think that a real Wi-Fi connection is established (Anbox uses a bridge network interface).
Operating System	The full Android stack implemented as Android x86 is a full operating system which requires hardware virtualization.
Security	This configuration is less secure than utilizing a Whonix-Workstation.
Software	Any version of Android from 4.x to 9.x can be installed.
Speed	This configuration is slower than anbox installation as Android x86 VM does not provide any type of Guest Additions meaning no graphic card drivers are supported.

To check running anbox within kicksecure (same applied for Whonix-Workstation) check Anbox inside Kicksecure ™ Advantages and Disadvantages

Forum Discussion

• Running Android Apps inside Whonix-Workstation - Anbox - Proof of concept
• Integrate Anbox into Whonix-Workstation

Footnotes

Whonix The most watertight privacy operating system in the world.

Dark mode

Follow us on social media

Supported by Power Up Privacy

Whonix is proudly supported until 2025 by Power Up Privacy, a privacy advocacy group that seeks to supercharge privacy projects with resources so they can complete their mission of making our world a better place. (Strictly subject to our sponsorship policy.)

At Whonix we value freedom and trust, supporting Open Source and Freedom Software

By using this website, you acknowledge you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these agreements: Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, E-Sign Consent, DMCA, Imprint 2012- 2024 ENCRYPTED SUPPORT LP

Your support makes
all the difference!

We believe security software like Whonix needs to remain open source and independent. Would you help sustain and grow the project? Learn more about our 12 year success story and maybe DONATE!