How to run Kali linux on Android phone using PC emulator and kali mini ISO image

Being a kali linux user, this very topic caught my eye when I read the tweet by Nicolas Ibrahim saying that he was able to install kali linux on his android phone using limbo PC emulator, unrooted. So I looked on the web to find if there is any write up about the same and having found nothing elaborate and useful, I accomplished it myself and here it is, the detailed walk-through for your perusal. Have fun folks!

Before we begin, let me give you a heads up, this is a time consuming process.

The very first step to this project is to have an Android phone running OS 4.1 +, although I have read that android 2.1+ is sufficient, I have used a Samsung Note 3 with the latest kitkat OS. It does not need to be rooted. Yes you heard me right, not root required.

Moving on, we have to remember that the majority of the android phones available now in the market are not 64 bit supportive they are all meant for 32 bit OS. hence, the OS needs to be 32 bit. period.

We begin by downloading the appropriate ISO image from the official kali linux website which you can find here- http://www.kali.org/downloads/ please make sure you download the 32 bit version which states Kali Linux 1.0.6 32 Bit Mini ISO as shown below-

Next, we need a PC emulator for Android and we choose to install the limbo PC emulator, it is interesting to note that it has been removed from Google play store so you will have to search for other alternatives like sourceforge. Once downloaded and installed on your mobile device, you are ready for the real deal.

Run the Limbo PC emulator on your mobile device, and configure it with the following parameters as shown in the figures below-

 

Make sure that the mini ISO image of Kali linux is saved/copied onto the Mobile device. And point the ISO image under CDROM option.

You will also need to allocate space for hard disk, this will be a collective figure and it will be split  into swap and primary storage later. Select the Network configuration to be “User” to use the default card/settings on the mobile device. Set Boot from device to be default so post installation, it will automatically boot from the hard disk.

No changes to the Advanced configuration.

 

“Start” the emulator and you will see the installation window

 

The easiest way to proceed would be the auto install but, I suggest manual install.

Sometimes it could be an issue with finding the right mirror for the download but, trial and error always wins. (For latest mirror links refer official Kali website)

 

But in most cases, with the auto install, it will find the nearest available mirror and download the packages.

Packages being downloaded

Setting up the root account

Installation continues..

starting up the partitioner..

Guided partitioning..

 

Auto allocation of disk space, it allots swap and ext automatically but, you can manually change that as well.

Writing the partitions

 

Quick glance at the installer menu…

Almost there..

 

Congrats you now have kali linux on your android phone.

A couple of things to note:

1. You might face issues with installing additional software packages but, don’t be perturbed, remember you can skip them and install them individually post installation.

2. Once installation is completed, if the machine does not automatically boot, go to your machine in limbo PC emulator and point the boot device to Hard disk.

3. If you face boot loader issues, you can skip it and manually fix it at a later stage

4. For additional troubleshooting, try to tweak the CPU settings, allocated RAM, etc.