A quick reference for Termux, a terminal emulator and Linux environment for Android.
Package Management
Termux uses pkg (a wrapper around apt).
pkg update && pkg upgrade # Update packages
pkg install git # Install a package
pkg uninstall git # Remove a package
pkg search python # Search for packages
pkg show python # Show package details
pkg list-installed # List all installed packages
pkg clean # Clean cache
Storage & File Access
Accessing Android internal storage requires setup.
termux-setup-storage # Request storage permission & create symlink
This creates a ~/storage folder with links to:
~/storage/dcim-> Camera photos~/storage/downloads-> Downloads folder~/storage/music-> Music folder~/storage/shared-> Internal storage root (/sdcard)
Open Files
termux-open file.pdf # Open file with default Android app
termux-open https://google.com # Open URL in Android browser
Termux API
Requires Termux:API app from Play Store/F-Droid and pkg install termux-api.
System Info & Sensors
termux-battery-status # Get battery info
termux-camera-info # Get camera specs
termux-wifi-connectioninfo # WiFi connection details
termux-sensor -l # List available sensors
termux-sensor -s "Light" # Read light sensor
Clipboard & Dialogs
termux-clipboard-get # Get clipboard content
termux-clipboard-set "Hello" # Set clipboard content
termux-toast "Done!" # Show Android toast message
termux-notification --title "Alert" --content "Work finished" # Show notification
Hardware Access
termux-camera-photo -c 0 out.jpg # Take photo with back camera
termux-microphone-record -l 5 rec.mp3 # Record 5s of audio
termux-vibrate -d 1000 # Vibrate for 1000ms
termux-torch on # Turn on flashlight
termux-torch off # Turn off flashlight
UI Customization
# Install properties editor
pkg install termux-tools
# Reload settings without restart
termux-reload-settings
Font and Color
To change font/color manually, place files in ~/.termux/:
~/.termux/font.ttf(Terminal font)~/.termux/colors.properties(Color scheme)
Using Termux-Styling (Add-on app) is easier for switching themes Long Press > More > Style.
Extra Keys Row
Edit ~/.termux/termux.properties to customize the extra keys row.
extra-keys = [ \
['ESC','/','-','HOME','UP','END','PGUP'], \
['TAB','CTRL','ALT','LEFT','DOWN','RIGHT','PGDN'] \
]
System Access
SSH Server (Access Termux from PC)
pkg install openssh
passwd # Set a password
sshd # Start SSH server (Port 8022 by default)
whoami # Check username (usually u0_aXXX)
ifconfig # Check IP address
# Connect from PC:
# ssh -p 8022 u0_aXXX@192.168.1.5
Root Access
If your device is rooted:
pkg install tsu
tsu # Switch to root (Su wrapper for Termux)
Proot (Simulate root/distros for non-rooted devices):
pkg install proot-distro
proot-distro list # List available distros (Ubuntu, Arch, etc.)
proot-distro install ubuntu # Install Ubuntu
proot-distro login ubuntu # Login to Ubuntu