Anbox - Run Android Applications and Games

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This page is archived.

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

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

Introduction

Community Support Only!:
	Community Support Only means Whonix ™ developers are unlikely to provide free support for wiki chapters or pages with this tag. 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.

Qubes-Whonix ™

NOTE: When using Qubes-Whonix ™, this needs to be done inside the Template.

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

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