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SPECIFICTION
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Ika

github.com

Linux
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Spec score 7.0 #31 of 34 in Code Obfuscation Software

What it is

Ika is a free, open-source Android desktop for Linux hosts. It runs an Android 16 build based on LineageOS 23.2 inside a Cuttlefish virtual machine. Android apps open in separate resizable desktop windows, can appear in the host app menu, and preserve DPI settings when the display changes size. GPU acceleration uses OpenGL ES and Vulkan. Game mode can launch games fullscreen with gamepad passthrough, alongside documented keyboard, mouse and touch input. Builds may include MindTheGapps, microG, or a de-Googled ROM without an app store. The project provides separate host-application and Android-image packages, with Fedora RPM, Debian or Ubuntu DEB, and Arch packages; ARM64 availability varies by distribution. Native builds target Apple Silicon and x86-64 systems. Source compilation needs at least 16 GB RAM and 300 GB storage, may take 3–6 hours or more, and Debian or Ubuntu require Mesa 26.1 or newer.

Spec sheet

Product
Ika is a desktop focused Android 16 build based on LineageOS 23.2 and runs in a Cuttlefish virtual machine.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
The project describes itself as an Android desktop for Linux hosts, including Apple Silicon systems running Asahi Linux and x86-64 systems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository license page includes components under multiple licenses, including MIT and Apache License 2.0.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android image options
Build options include MindTheGapps, microG, or a de-Googled ROM without an app store.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
App windows
Android apps can run in separate resizable desktop windows and appear in the host desktop’s app menu.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build options
Builds can include MindTheGapps, microG, or a de-Googled ROM without an app store.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build requirements
Building from source requires at least 16 GB RAM and 300 GB storage, and the initial build can take 3–6 hours or more.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Desktop apps
Android apps can run in their own resizable desktop windows and can be added to the desktop app menu.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Desktop platforms
LinuxRead 19 Sep 2026 · github.com
Game input
Games can run fullscreen with gamepad passthrough, and Ika also documents keyboard, mouse, and touch input options.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Games
Game mode can start games fullscreen with gamepad, keyboard and mouse input passthrough.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Graphics
Ika supports GPU acceleration with OpenGL ES and Vulkan.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Hardware
A successful source build requires at least 16 GB of RAM and 300 GB of storage, and the initial build may take 3–6 hours or more.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Host graphics requirement
Debian and Ubuntu hosts require Mesa 26.1 or newer to install or build Ika.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Host support
The maker lists native builds for Apple Silicon and x86-64 systems running Fedora, Debian or Ubuntu, and Arch Linux.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The maker provides Fedora RPM, Debian or Ubuntu DEB, and Arch Linux packages, with ARM64 package availability varying by distribution.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limits
Debian and Ubuntu require Mesa 26.1 or newer to use Ika.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Networking
Ethernet is enabled by default in the guest, while Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, GNSS, and the modem simulator are off unless explicitly enabled.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Packages
Ika is distributed as separate host application and Android disk image packages, with prebuilt downloads listed for supported Linux distributions and architectures.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Resizable display
Its display can be resized dynamically while preserving DPI settings.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Android 16 in a Cuttlefish virtual machine
  • Resizable app windows in host desktop
  • OpenGL ES and Vulkan acceleration
  • Optional MindTheGapps, microG or de-Googled builds
  • Packages for Fedora, Debian/Ubuntu and Arch

Limits

  • Requires Linux hosts
  • Source builds need 16 GB RAM and 300 GB storage
  • Debian and Ubuntu require Mesa 26.1 or newer
  • ARM64 package availability varies

Who it suits

It suits Linux users wanting an Android desktop, including Apple Silicon systems running Asahi Linux and x86-64 hosts. It also fits users who need resizable Android app windows or fullscreen game input.

Verdict

Ika brings Android 16 applications and games into a Linux desktop through a virtual machine. Its package choices and Android-image options are broad, while the hardware and Mesa requirements should be checked first.

Where Specifiction places it

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