What is Termux?
Termux is a free, open-source Android terminal emulator and Linux environment. It gives you a complete command-line shell on your Android device — no root required, no special firmware, nothing to unlock. Just install the app, open it, and you're in a real Linux shell.
Under the hood, Termux provides its own package manager (pkg / apt), a large repository of pre-compiled Linux tools, and a full POSIX-compatible environment. You can install tools like Python, Node.js, Git, Nmap, Metasploit, and hundreds more — directly on your phone.
Watch the Full Walkthrough
The video above covers Termux installation, initial setup, essential commands, and package management from scratch. It's the fastest way to get a mental model of how everything fits together before you start typing commands.
Download Termux
Termux is available from several sources. The official builds from GitHub or F-Droid are the only recommended options — they are actively maintained, fully featured, and receive regular updates. The Play Store version is outdated and has restricted functionality.
INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE. Pick one source and stay with it.
First-Time Setup
After installing Termux, open it for the first time. You'll see a black terminal screen — this is your Linux shell. The very first thing you should always do is update and upgrade all packages. This pulls the latest package lists and updates any pre-installed tools.
Step 1 — Update package lists:
$ pkg updateStep 2 — Upgrade all installed packages:
$ pkg upgrade -yStep 3 — Grant storage access (lets Termux read/write your phone's storage):
$ termux-setup-storageA dialog will appear asking for storage permission — tap Allow. After this, a ~/storage folder will appear linking to your phone's Downloads, Music, Pictures, and more.
Understanding the Shell
When you open Termux, you're placed into a Bash shell (Bourne Again Shell). The shell is the program that reads your commands and runs them. Everything you type is processed here before being executed by the Linux kernel.
The prompt you see — typically $ — is waiting for input. When a command is running you won't see the prompt. When it returns, the prompt reappears and you can type the next command.
ls and LS are different. Flags modify command behaviour (e.g. -l, -a). Arguments are the targets a command acts on (e.g. a filename). You can chain commands with && (run second only if first succeeds) or | (pipe output of one into the next).
100+ Essential Commands Reference
A complete reference of essential Termux and Linux commands, grouped by category. Use the search box to instantly filter any command. Every command here works in Termux — some (marked Termux-specific) are exclusive to the Android environment.
Tips for Beginners
A few things that will save you a lot of confusion when starting out with Termux:
Tab while typing a command or path to autocomplete it. Press it twice to see all matching options. This prevents typos and saves a huge amount of typing.↑ up arrow to recall previous commands. Press ↓ to go forward again. Run history to see a numbered list of all past commands.Ctrl+C. This sends an interrupt signal and returns you to the prompt.pkg update && pkg upgrade -y first. Many installation failures happen simply because the package index is stale.termux-wake-lock first to prevent Android from suspending the session. Run termux-wake-unlock when done.