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Android-x86
Android-x86
Android-x86
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Android-x86
DeveloperChih-Wei Huang, Yi Sun
OS familyAndroid (Linux)
Source modelOpen source (includes proprietary components such as Google Play)
Latest release
Android 9.0r2[1] (based on Android Pie 9.0.0 (android-9.0.0_r54)) / March 25, 2020; 5 years ago (2020-03-25)
Android 8.1r6[2] (based on Android Oreo 8.1.0 (android-8.1.0_r81)) / June 23, 2021; 4 years ago (2021-06-23)
Android 7.1r5[3] (based on Android Nougat 7.1.2 (android-7.1.2_r39)) / February 14, 2021; 4 years ago (2021-02-14)
Kernel typeMonolithic (modified Linux kernel)
LicenseApache License 2.0
Official websitewww.android-x86.org Edit this at Wikidata
Android x86 (ver. 4.0) on EeePC 701 4G

Android-x86 is an unofficial port of the Android mobile operating system (developed by the Open Handset Alliance) for the Intel x86 platform. It is an open source project designed to make Android run on devices powered by x86 processors (such as PCs), rather than RISC-based ARM chips.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

Developers Chih-Wei Huang and Yi Sun originated the project in 2009. The project began as a series of patches to the Android source code to enable Android to run on various netbooks, tablets and ultra-mobile PCs. Huang was the project maintainer and as of 2021 active developers included Mauro Rossi and Michael Goffioul.[10] As of 2025, the project is considered inactive or discontinued.[11]

Overview

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The OS is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) with some modifications and improvements. Some components are developed by the project which allow it to run on PC architecture. For instance, some low-level components are replaced to better suit the platform, such as the kernel and HALs. The OS enables OpenGL ES hardware acceleration via Mesa if supported GPUs are detected, including Intel GMA, AMD's Radeon, Nvidia's chipsets (Nouveau), VMware (vmwgfx) and QEMU (virgl). Without a supported GPU, the OS can run in non-accelerated mode via software rendering. Since release 7.1, the software renderer has been implemented via the SwiftShader project.[12]

Like a normal Linux distribution, the project releases pre-built ISO images which can run under live mode or installed to a hard disk on the target system. Since release 4.4-r2, the project also releases efi_img[13] which can be used to create a live USB to be booted from on UEFI systems. Since release 4.4-r4, the UEFI support was united into the ISO images and efi_img was marked as deprecated.

Except AOSP, the following incomplete list of components are developed from scratch or derived from other open source projects to form the entire Android-x86 codebase:

More and more components may be added to the updated version.

History
Version Android version Release date Status
Unsupported: 0.9 1.5 (Cupcake) 2009-07-29 Discontinued
Unsupported: 1.6 1.6 (Donut) 2009-11-20 Discontinued
Unsupported: 2.2 2.1 (Eclair) 2010-06-30 Discontinued
Unsupported: 2.3 2.3 (Gingerbread) 2011-08-28 Discontinued
Unsupported: 3.2 3.0 (Honeycomb) 2011-08-28 Discontinued
Unsupported: 4.0 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) 2012-01-01 Discontinued
Unsupported: 4.2 4.2 (Jellybean) 2012-12-25 Discontinued
Unsupported: 4.3 4.3 (Jellybean) 2013-07-25 Discontinued
Unsupported: 4.4 4.4.2 (KitKat) 2014-08-08 Discontinued
Unsupported: 5.1 5.1.1 (Lollipop) 2015-10-07 Discontinued
Unsupported: 6.0 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) 2016-09-13 Discontinued
Supported: 7.1 7.1.2 (Nougat) 2017-06-08 Maintained
Supported: 8.1 8.1.0 (Oreo) 2019-01-15 Maintained
Latest version: 9.0 9.0.0 (Pie) 2020-02-27 Maintained
Future version: 10.0 10.0 (Q) ? Source Code[14] (Work In Progress)
Future version: 11.0 11.0 (R) ? Source Code[14] (Work In Progress)
Legend:
Unsupported
Supported
Latest version
Future version
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Bliss OS

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An open source OS based on Android-x86. Supported on Chromebooks, PCs, and tablets.[15]

Project Celadon

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A related project, Celadon (formerly Android-IA)[16] has been produced by Intel that will run on newer UEFI devices. The project states that its intention is to drive Android support and innovation on Intel Architecture in addition to providing a venue for collaboration.[16] It re-used the drm_gralloc graphics HAL module from Android-x86 in order to support Intel HD Graphics hardware. Back as Android-IA, it provided a FAQ[17] with more detailed information.

Remix OS

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Jide Technologies partnered with Chih-Wei Huang, the main developer of Android-x86, on Remix OS, a closed-source derivative of Android-x86 designed for use on conventional PCs. The first beta of Remix OS was made available on March 1, 2016.[18] The project was discontinued on July 17, 2017.

Android TV x86

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In late 2020, a senior member of XDA Developers created Android TV x86 to provide Android TV for PCs, which "should work out of the box because the ROM has its roots in the Android-x86 project".[19]

See also

[edit]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Android-x86

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from Grokipedia
Android-x86 is an open-source project that ports the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to x86 and x86-64 processor architectures, allowing the Android operating system to run natively on personal computers, netbooks, and other devices powered by Intel or AMD CPUs instead of traditional ARM-based hardware. Initiated in 2009 as a repository for patches to enable Android support on x86 platforms, the project has since developed into a comprehensive port offering bootable ISO images, installation tools, and hardware optimizations for generic PC environments. It emphasizes compatibility with standard PC components, including support for Kernel Mode Setting (KMS), Wi-Fi, ALSA audio, Bluetooth, V4L2 camera interfaces, power management features like suspend/resume and battery monitoring, as well as auto-mounting of external storage and accommodations for netbook display resolutions and input devices. The project maintains multiple release branches aligned with Android versions, with the latest stable release being Android-x86 9.0-r2, based on Android 9.0.0 (android-9.0.0_r54) and featuring an updated kernel 4.19.110, fixes for booting from ISO, and resolutions for audio issues on specific hardware like the Microsoft Surface 3, dated March 25, 2020. Users can install it on hard drives using a text-based installer supporting filesystems like and , boot it live from USB drives on or Windows hosts, or run it in virtual machines with optional kernels for compatibility, such as 4.9 for . Although development continues with community contributions via repositories, no major stable updates beyond Android 9 have been issued as of 2025, positioning Android-x86 as a viable option for repurposing older x86 hardware or testing Android applications on desktop environments.

Introduction

Project Overview

Android-x86 is an unofficial open-source project that ports the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to x86 and x86-64 architectures, enabling the Android operating system to run natively on personal computers, netbooks, and tablets with Intel or AMD processors instead of the standard ARM-based hardware. This adaptation serves as a Board Support Package (BSP) for generic x86 platforms, allowing users to experience Android's ecosystem on non-mobile devices without relying on emulation. The project was founded in 2009 by developers Chih-Wei Huang and Yi Sun, initially as a patch-hosting site for Android x86 support that evolved into a comprehensive, compilable source tree. Huang continues to serve as the primary maintainer, with contributions from a global team of developers. As of November 2025, the latest official stable release is Android-x86 9.0-r2 (based on Android 9 ), though community contributions support builds for more recent Android versions. Primary use cases for Android-x86 include revitalizing legacy x86 hardware for basic , web , and retro gaming via emulators, as well as providing a native platform for testing Android applications and development workflows. It offers an alternative to ARM emulation by delivering direct hardware compatibility for running Android apps on existing PCs. At its core, Android-x86 distributes live bootable ISO images derived from AOSP under the Apache Public License 2.0, with some components under GPL 2.0 or later, supporting standalone installation as a primary operating system or dual-boot configurations alongside other systems. Derivatives such as Bliss OS build upon this foundation to deliver updated versions with enhanced features for contemporary hardware.

Objectives and Features

The primary objective of the Android-x86 project is to port the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to x86 platforms, providing a complete Android solution for common PC hardware to expand compatibility beyond ARM-based devices and facilitate development and testing on standard computers. This initiative aims to reduce dependence on ARM architecture in Android ecosystems, enabling broader hardware support for open-source Android variants on Intel and AMD processors. By offering a free, open-source implementation, Android-x86 supports PC-based experimentation, such as running Android applications in desktop environments without emulators. Key features include enhanced multi-window support in later builds, allowing resizable application windows optimized for desktop productivity on larger screens. is achieved through Mesa graphics drivers, supporting 3.x for , , and NVIDIA GPUs, which improves rendering performance on x86 systems. The project integrates GRUB as a bootloader during installation, facilitating dual-boot configurations with other operating systems like Windows or . Android-x86 incorporates x86-specific optimizations, leveraging and CPU instructions for native execution efficiency, unlike ARM-targeted Android builds. It provides built-in support for PC peripherals, including Ethernet and drivers adapted from kernels, enabling seamless network connectivity without ARM-specific limitations. A notable limitation is the incomplete integration of (GMS), as Android-x86 is based on AOSP without official certification; users must manually sideload the Play Store and related apps for full ecosystem access.

History

Founding and Early Years

The Android-x86 project was initiated in by Chih-Wei Huang, a professor at in , and Yi Sun, with the primary goal of the Android Open Source Project from its ARM-exclusive to the more prevalent x86 processors used in personal computers and netbooks. This effort addressed the limitation that Android, originally designed for mobile devices, lacked native support for x86 hardware despite the dominance of and architectures in desktop and laptop markets. The project began modestly as a patch-hosting repository on Code before expanding into a full initiative, reflecting the founders' backgrounds in academia and . In its early years, the project achieved its first milestone with the release of version 0.9 in late 2009, an alpha build based on Android 1.5 (), which focused on enabling basic booting on x86 systems and adapting input mechanisms such as touchscreens and devices to work with PC peripherals. Subsequent test builds and the 1.6 (Donut) release followed in November 2009, marking incremental progress in compatibility, though functionality remained limited to core operations without full or optimized drivers. The code was hosted on , where it attracted contributions from a small core team of developers drawn from academic institutions and open-source communities, emphasizing collaborative, volunteer-driven development. The founding phase presented significant challenges, including the absence of official support from , which provided no dedicated resources or for x86 , forcing the to rely on reverse-engineering and expertise. Developers had to manually adapt the Android Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) for x86-specific components like graphics and audio, often through trial-and-error modifications to the open-source codebase. Funding was entirely -driven, sustained through donations via platforms like and the project's website, without corporate backing or grants in the initial years. These obstacles underscored the nature of the effort, which persisted through persistent involvement up to around 2012.

Major Releases and Milestones

The Android-x86 project aligned its releases with major Android Open Source Project (AOSP) versions starting from Android 4.0, with significant advancements in hardware compatibility and performance from 2013 onward. In 2012, Android-x86 4.0 (ice_cream_sandwich-x86), based on Android 4.0 , marked an early milestone by introducing support alongside , audio, and hardware acceleration for select and chipsets. This release, finalized as stable in mid-2013, laid groundwork for broader x86 adoption on PCs and netbooks. Subsequent updates focused on graphics and multimedia enhancements. The Android-x86 4.4 series (kitkat-x86), released starting August 8, 2014, based on Android 4.4 KitKat, improved graphics rendering through integrated support for hardware acceleration on and platforms, along with FFmpeg for HD video playback. By 2016, the project shifted toward 64-bit architecture with Android-x86 6.0 (marshmallow-x86), released September 13, providing both 32-bit and 64-bit ISOs for enhanced performance on modern x86_64 processors. That year also saw a notable with Jide Technology, integrating Android-x86 as the base for to enable desktop-like multitasking on x86 hardware. From 2017, community-driven efforts peaked, incorporating variants for extended support. Android-x86 7.1 (nougat-x86), with its first stable release on February 6, 2018, based on Android 7.1.2 , added full 64-bit kernel and userspace support using 4.9, alongside backported features like improved device detection. Concurrently, the 14.1 port (cm-x86-14.1), released November 15, 2017, integrated CyanogenMod/ enhancements into the Android-x86 platform for better customization and stability. The 8.1 series (oreo-x86), starting January 15, 2019, based on Android 8.1 , further refined 64-bit compatibility and peripheral support. The final stable official release, Android-x86 9.0-r2 (pie-x86), arrived March 25, 2020, based on Android 9.0 , emphasizing security patches and 64-bit optimizations as the last major update before reduced activity. Source tree branches for (q-x86) and (r-x86) were initiated in 2020 and 2021, respectively, but remain unmaintained without stable builds. Post-2020, development slowed, with commit frequency dropping and the last notable update being Android-x86 8.1-r6 on June 23, 2021, signaling a shift toward forks.

Technical Architecture

Porting Process to x86

The porting of Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to the x86 architecture involves adapting the primarily ARM-oriented codebase to run natively on and processors, focusing on adjustments, library replacements, and runtime modifications to ensure compatibility and performance. This process begins with syncing the AOSP source tree using custom manifests tailored for x86 targets, which incorporate device-specific configurations under directories like device/generic/x86. Developers apply x86-specific patches via rebase to upstream AOSP changes, addressing architecture-dependent code in components such as the kernel, hardware abstraction layer (HAL), and graphics stack. Compilation errors are resolved iteratively, often involving fixes for x86 instruction sets and memory models, followed by booting the image to debug runtime issues using tools like logcat and . A core aspect of the porting steps is the use of the x86 variant of the Android Native Development Kit (NDK) for compiling native C/C++ code, replacing the default ARM toolchain to generate binaries optimized for x86 ABIs such as i686 or x86_64. The ARM-specific Bionic libc, Android's lightweight C library, is replaced with its x86 counterpart, which includes architecture-specific implementations for syscalls, threading, and math operations under libc/arch-x86 in the AOSP tree. Similarly, the Dalvik virtual machine (in earlier versions) or Android Runtime (ART) is adapted for x86, leveraging its just-in-time (JIT) compiler backend to execute Dalvik Executable (DEX) bytecode on x86 processors through architecture-specific optimizations in the ART compiler. These adaptations ensure that core system services and applications compile and run without ARM dependencies. Key components in the porting include Intel's initial patches for the HAL, which provide interfaces for x86 hardware access in modules like hardware/libhardware, enabling abstraction of peripherals such as graphics and sensors. For display management, the project integrates X.org and Mesa graphics drivers instead of relying on ARM-optimized SurfaceFlinger defaults, supporting hardware acceleration on Intel (i915/i965), AMD (radeon), and other GPUs through drm gralloc and HWComposer implementations. To handle legacy ARM applications, Intel's Houdini binary translator emulates ARM instructions on x86 via dynamic translation, using libhoudini.so to intercept and convert native ARM libraries during runtime, thus maintaining broad app compatibility. The build process relies on the repo tool for managing the AOSP source, initializing with a custom manifest from the Android-x86 repository (e.g., repo init -u git://git.osdn.net/gitroot/android-x86/manifest -b branch-name) followed by repo sync to fetch approximately 20 GB of code. On a host, developers source build/envsetup.sh, select an x86 target product (e.g., android_x86_64-userdebug), and execute make -jN iso_img to cross-compile the kernel, , and into a bootable ISO. This targets x86 ISOs for installation on PCs or . Challenges in the process center on binary compatibility for the vast ecosystem of ARM-native apps, necessitating ongoing maintenance of translation layers like Houdini, which introduces performance overhead from dynamic emulation and potential vulnerabilities due to its implementation and lack of full public . As AOSP evolves, upstream changes require repeated rebasing of x86 patches to avoid regressions in HAL or graphics support.

Kernel Modifications and Hardware Support

Android-x86 employs a modified version of the , specifically the 4.19 LTS branch in its latest stable release based on Android 9.0 , integrated with Android Common Kernel (ACK) patches to ensure compatibility with Android's runtime requirements and security updates. These ACK patches incorporate Google-maintained enhancements, including binder driver updates and vendor interface stability, while the x86 port adds platform-specific configurations to support desktop s. Key kernel modifications include the enablement of Kernel Mode Setting (KMS) for direct graphics rendering from the kernel space, which facilitates hardware-accelerated display output on x86 systems without relying on legacy framebuffers. x86-specific modules are incorporated for essential features such as ACPI for power and device management, IOMMU for secure memory mapping in virtualized environments, and VT-x for hardware-assisted virtualization, allowing Android-x86 to leverage Intel and AMD processor capabilities natively. The binder IPC driver receives adjustments to handle x86 memory addressing, particularly for 64-bit processes, ensuring efficient inter-process communication across the Android framework on non-ARM architectures. Hardware support in Android-x86 relies on upstream drivers adapted for Android's ecosystem, providing native compatibility for common x86 components. Graphics acceleration is achieved through Mesa libraries implementing for (via i915 and i965 drivers) and AMD GPUs (via radeonsi and amdgpu), with support for generations up to GCN 2nd gen and newer via kernel DRM modules. Network interfaces include Ethernet via the e1000 module for -based controllers and Wi-Fi through the iwlwifi driver for compatible chipsets, both loaded as kernel modules during boot. USB functionality is handled by standard Linux USB subsystem modules, supporting a wide range of peripherals including storage and input devices without additional modifications. Audio output draws from ALSA adaptations within the kernel, enabling basic support for onboard sound cards and USB audio devices, though full multi-channel or advanced features may require user-space configurations. Power management integrates Android's wakelock mechanism with x86 suspend/resume cycles, preventing premature sleep during active tasks while allowing desktop-style hibernation via S3 states, though wake events are limited to specific key inputs for reliability. Despite these advancements, compatibility challenges persist, particularly with newer GPUs where the open-source Nouveau driver exhibits stability issues in DRM hardware composition, often necessitating community-submitted patches for partial functionality. interfaces receive limited or no native support due to incomplete kernel integration, relying on external modules or workarounds that are not officially maintained.

Installation and Usage

Hardware Requirements

Android-x86 is designed to run on standard x86-based personal computers, requiring a compatible processor, sufficient memory, storage, and graphics capabilities to ensure smooth operation. The project targets hardware from the late 2000s onward, with broad support for Intel and AMD architectures. Android-x86 is compatible with processors such as Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 and later, generally from 2008 or newer, allowing it to boot and run basic applications on older systems, though performance may vary. For optimal performance, especially when running resource-intensive apps or emulating ARM-based applications, use modern x86_64 hardware with ample RAM and storage. Android-x86 supports both and boot modes, with recent releases including fixes for UEFI compatibility to enable installation on modern systems. In terms of hardware compatibility, Android-x86 performs best on -based systems due to robust native driver support for Intel integrated graphics, enabling features like 3.x . AMD processors and graphics are also supported, though users may encounter occasional graphics-related issues on certain configurations, often resolvable through kernel options or updates. Overall, the project emphasizes compatibility with standard PC and hardware without specialized components.

Deployment Methods

Instructions in this section are based on the latest stable release, Android-x86 9.0-r2 (March 2020), as no major stable updates have been issued as of 2025. Check the official site for any development builds. Android-x86 can be deployed through several methods, allowing users to test or run the system on x86 hardware without immediate commitment to a permanent installation. The primary approaches include live for temporary sessions, full disk installation for persistent use, and for isolated environments. These methods leverage ISO images ed from the official site, which are then prepared as bootable media.

Live Boot

Live booting enables running directly from such as a USB drive or , preserving the host 's data and allowing evaluation without alterations. To prepare the media, download the latest ISO image and use tools like on Windows to create a bootable USB in ISO mode, or the dd command on (e.g., dd if=android-x86_64-9.0-r2.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync, replacing /dev/sdX with the target device). the from this media by entering the / settings to prioritize the USB or , then select options like "Live - Run Android-x86 without installation" at the GRUB menu. This mode stores all session data in RAM, which is lost upon shutdown, making it ideal for testing compatibility. Additional parameters, such as debug mode for enhanced or VESA mode for basic , can be selected to address initial hardware interactions.

Full Installation

For a permanent setup, Android-x86 supports installation to a hard disk partition, integrating with existing bootloaders for dual-boot configurations. Begin by booting from the prepared ISO as in live mode, then choose "Install Android-x86 to harddisk" from the menu. Use the built-in installer to select or create a partition (e.g., via cfdisk for new ones), supporting filesystems like ext4 for the root (/system) directory, NTFS for Windows compatibility, or FAT32 for broader access. Format the partition if desired (back up data first, as this erases contents), set it as bootable, and proceed with the installation, which copies files and installs GRUB as the bootloader—select "Yes" for GRUB to enable multi-boot with systems like Windows or Linux. For dual-boot with Windows, manually edit /grub/menu.lst post-install to add entries like title Windows XP rootnoverify (hd0,0) chainloader +1 pointing to the Windows partition. After reboot, root access is available by default; open a terminal (e.g., via Alt+F1 or developer options for ADB) and use the su command, or enable ADB debugging. An auto-install option exists for wiping the entire disk and setting Android-x86 as the sole OS, but confirm the target drive to avoid data loss on secondary storage.

Virtualization

Android-x86 runs effectively in virtual machines on hypervisors like or , providing a sandboxed environment for development or isolated testing. In , create a new VM with 2.6/3.x/4.x (32-bit or 64-bit matching the ISO), allocate at least 2048 MB RAM and 8 GB virtual disk, and configure the display to VBoxVGA with optional 3D enabled (VT-x/AMD-V required in host for best ). Attach the ISO to the optical drive, start the VM, and install to the virtual disk using the standard process, creating an partition and installing GRUB. For , set up a similar VM but change the disk controller from to IDE to avoid boot failures, as the Android-x86 kernel lacks native support; add USB passthrough via VM settings for device access, and GPU passthrough if the host supports it for improved graphics. Post-install, detach the ISO and boot into the VM for use. These setups allow hardware , though may vary without passthrough.

Troubleshooting

Common deployment issues often stem from graphics or network incompatibilities, resolvable through boot parameters or configuration tweaks. Black screens during boot, typically due to GPU driver mismatches, can be fixed by selecting VESA mode at the live boot menu or appending nomodeset to the kernel line in GRUB (press 'e' to edit, add after "quiet", then Ctrl+X to boot). For Wi-Fi detection failures, ensure the network adapter is enabled in virtualization settings or try boot options like net.ifnames=0 to rename interfaces; if persistent, install additional kernel modules via debug mode. In , switching to IDE disk resolves SCSI-related hangs, while users should verify VBoxVGA selection to prevent display issues. Always test in live mode first to identify hardware-specific problems before full installation.

Project Status

Official Development Halt

The official development of Android-x86 effectively halted around 2022, with the last significant commits occurring in early 2022 on the project's repositories. No official releases have been issued since Android 9.0-r2 in March 2020, and subsequent branches for and 11 were initiated but ultimately abandoned without stable outputs. This marked the end of active maintenance by the core team, transitioning the project into a dormant state. Several factors contributed to this cessation. Key developers experienced burnout, as articulated by project lead Chih-Wei Huang in , who expressed uncertainty about continuing due to limited time, energy, and motivation amid ongoing challenges in porting newer Android versions. The project, primarily volunteer-driven, faced funding shortages, relying on donations without substantial institutional support to sustain long-term efforts. Additionally, Google's strategic pivot toward architectures and foldable devices diminished the relevance of x86 ports, as ARM's cost efficiency, power optimization, and ecosystem dominance reduced demand for x86-specific adaptations. Competition from alternatives like Chrome OS for lightweight computing and Microsoft's Windows Subsystem for Android further eroded the project's niche. The implications of this halt are significant for users. Builds based on Android 9 remain vulnerable to unpatched security issues, as they no longer receive updates aligning with Google's monthly Android Security Bulletins beyond the platform's end-of-life in 2022. Furthermore, these older versions are incompatible with applications requiring or later features, such as Material You dynamic theming and enhanced privacy controls introduced in subsequent releases. As of 2025, the official website at android-x86.org remains online but static, with no updates to its content or changelog since 2021. The project's repositories show no active maintenance, confirming the absence of official development. Efforts have since shifted to community-driven forks for any ongoing x86 Android adaptations.

Community Involvement

The Android-x86 project sustains engagement through dedicated online communities where users report bugs, seek installation advice, and collaborate on enhancements. Key platforms include the r/Androidx86 subreddit, which serves as a central hub for discussions on compatibility and usage; XDA Developers forums, hosting extensive threads on custom configurations and hardware integration; and the project's Google Groups mailing list for broader development exchanges. Users actively contribute patches and fixes to address persistent issues, such as connectivity failures on various x86 hardware and in virtual machines. For example, members have developed and shared solutions involving tweaks and configuration scripts to enable network detection, often tested in environments like laptops and emulators. These efforts extend to maintaining unofficial mirrors for downloads, with sites like FOSSHUB and MajorGeeks providing reliable access to ISO images and release archives amid reduced official hosting activity. Post-2020, community involvement has emphasized volunteer-driven maintenance, including updates to build scripts and documentation hosted on mirrors of the OSDN repositories. Ad-hoc collaborations occur through these channels, with contributors submitting code changes for features like improved graphics support, without a centralized structure. In 2025, activity persists at a modest level, featuring shared guides for optimizations—such as switching virtual disks to IDE mode for boot compatibility—and enterprise deployment explorations. Some participants have transitioned to derivatives for access to newer Android versions like 13, though core project contributions remain focused on legacy support.

Derivatives and Alternatives

Bliss OS

Bliss OS is an open-source fork of Android-x86, initiated by BlissLabs in 2017, which integrates elements from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and to optimize Android for x86-based PCs and tablets. This derivative emphasizes desktop usability, allowing users to run Android applications and games on traditional with enhanced features. As of November 2025, Bliss OS remains actively maintained, with its primary stable branch at version 16.x, built on (codename Typhoon-x86). The project utilizes 6.1.84 for standard builds, while the Zenith variant employs kernel 6.9.3 from the Android mainline for newer hardware compatibility. Recent updates incorporate KernelSU for access (version 0.9.2) and security patches from May 2024, with no further official extensions as of November 2025. Key features include desktop-oriented UI enhancements such as a , multi-window support, and keyboard/ optimizations for improved navigation on PCs. It offers broad hardware compatibility, supporting a range of x86 processors, including recent generations via updated bootloaders, and graphics solutions like GPUs through vendor-specific drivers. Users can select builds with pre-installed Google Apps (GApps) for seamless access to Play Store services, alongside FOSS variants for privacy-focused setups. Development is hosted on GitHub under the BlissOS organization, where community contributors provide monthly beta and stable builds via SourceForge mirrors. The project encourages open-source collaboration, with documentation for building custom images from AOSP and Android-x86 sources, and downloads available from the official blissos.org site or direct repositories. Bliss OS can be booted using a GRUB configuration with a menuentry that points to the extracted files. A typical GRUB menuentry for Bliss OS using the "android-2024" folder (where the Bliss OS files are extracted) is:

menuentry "Bliss OS - android-2024" { set root='(hd0,msdos1)' # Adjust to your actual partition, e.g., (hd0,gpt2) linux /android-2024/kernel quiet SRC=/android-2024 androidboot.selinux=permissive initrd /android-2024/initrd.img }

menuentry "Bliss OS - android-2024" { set root='(hd0,msdos1)' # Adjust to your actual partition, e.g., (hd0,gpt2) linux /android-2024/kernel quiet SRC=/android-2024 androidboot.selinux=permissive initrd /android-2024/initrd.img }

This assumes the Bliss OS files (kernel, initrd.img, system.sfs or data.img) are extracted to the /android-2024 directory on the partition. Variations may include additional parameters like DEBUG=1 or specific hardware options.

Project Celadon

Project Celadon is an open-source Android software reference stack developed by , launched publicly in September 2019 as a platform for running Android applications in virtual machines (VMs) or containers on Linux-enabled x86 hosts, primarily targeting Intel architectures. Originally evolving from Intel's internal Android-IA project, it provides a unified optimized for x86 processors, enabling developers to deploy Android environments without modifying the host operating system. This approach distinguishes it from standalone OS ports by emphasizing containerized and virtualized execution for efficient resource utilization. As of 2025, Project Celadon remains actively maintained through its GitHub repositories under the projectceladon organization, supporting Android 15 paired with the 6.1 LTS kernel as of March 2025. The project receives regular updates, with community contributions ensuring compatibility across Intel platforms such as 13th-generation Core processors, and it extends to broader x86 support including AMD hardware via standard Linux virtualization tools. Builds are generated from source code, with documentation guiding quarterly-aligned releases focused on stability and feature enhancements. Key features include KVM-based virtualization for seamless Android execution within Linux hosts, integration with the for real-time and embedded scenarios, and a modular tailored for IoT and embedded systems development. Unlike bootable distributions, does not support direct installation on PCs; instead, it prioritizes build-and-deploy workflows for testing and prototyping, leveraging tools like for emulation or native runs on hardware like devices. This design shares heritage with broader x86 porting initiatives, adapting Android's ARM-centric stack for -optimized performance. Primary use cases encompass enterprise application verification, where developers test Android apps in isolated VM environments, and automotive systems integration, often via ACRN for multi-OS consolidation on edge devices. Build guides specifically target NUC hardware for native deployment, facilitating rapid prototyping in IoT and industrial settings without requiring custom hardware modifications.

Remix OS

Remix OS was developed by Jide Technology in as a commercial derivative of the Android-x86 project, tailored for desktop environments on x86-based personal computers. It introduced a productivity-oriented interface reminiscent of Windows, featuring a persistent for quick app access, resizable and movable windows for multitasking, and enhanced file management capabilities to bridge mobile Android apps with traditional PC workflows. This design aimed to leverage the vast Android app ecosystem while addressing limitations in touch- and keyboard-driven desktop usage. The primary release, Remix OS for PC, debuted in beta form in January 2016 and was built on Android 6.0 , with subsequent updates refining stability and compatibility for installation via USB or hard drive on compatible hardware. In , Jide extended the platform with Mini, an optimized variant preloaded on their compact stick PC device, the Remix Mini, which targeted portable computing scenarios while maintaining the core desktop UI elements. These versions supported booting from USB drives and offered access to for app installation, though they remained tied to the Marshmallow base without further Android version upgrades. Development ceased abruptly in July 2017 when Jide discontinued all consumer-facing products, citing major challenges including shrinking funds and a strategic pivot to solutions. As a result, official support ended, with no security patches or feature updates issued beyond the 2016-2017 releases; Jide's consumer servers became inaccessible shortly thereafter, rendering the OS reliant on archived distributions. The project's legacy endures in its inspiration for innovations in later Android-x86 derivatives, where elements like the and windowed multitasking were adapted by community developers. Archival downloads of the final builds remain available on platforms like , but due to the absence of post-2017 patches, installations are vulnerable to known Android security flaws and are not recommended for internet-connected use without modifications.

Android TV x86

Android TV x86 consists of unofficial builds derived from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), adapting the Android TV user interface for x86-based personal computers and enabling a TV-like experience on non-certified hardware. These ports emphasize the Leanback UI framework, which optimizes navigation via remote controls rather than touch inputs, making it suitable for media consumption on home theater PCs (HTPCs). Initial community efforts to port Android TV to x86 emerged around 2016, with early demonstrations showcasing basic functionality on standard PCs. As of November 2025, community-maintained versions have advanced to support , including builds like those developed by Bruno Silveiro as of October 2025, which integrate Google TV features for enhanced content recommendations and casting. ISOs are hosted on platforms such as , where projects like AndroidTV-x86_64 provide pre-built images with Store integration via GApps, allowing access to TV-optimized apps without additional . These builds rely on AOSP's TV branches for core functionality and lack official endorsement from , resulting in potential compatibility issues with proprietary services. Key features include optimizations for HTPC setups, such as HDMI-CEC support for controlling connected TVs and AV receivers through a single remote, and compatibility with Dolby audio formats like for immersive sound output. The ecosystem mirrors that of devices like the , supporting a range of streaming apps, live TV channels, and games tailored for big-screen use. Installation typically involves creating a bootable USB drive with tools like , followed by either live for testing or bare-metal installation to a dedicated partition; integration with media centers like Kodi is possible by installing the APK post-setup. Development occurs through volunteer-driven repositories, such as the MustardChef archive on , which collects and preserves various builds to facilitate distribution and avoid unreliable sources. Ongoing contributions draw from the broader Android-x86 project for hardware compatibility while incorporating TV-specific enhancements from AOSP.

References

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  91. https://github.com/MustardChef/Android-TV-x86
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