5 votes

Is it possible to run a Linux app that requires USB/OTG support from an Android device?

I know very little about Linux but have a good overall level of technical aptitude.

I have a device called an eDrumin 10 which uses an app to change the internal settings. https://www.audiofront.net/downloads.php I would like to use the control app from a tablet, but would prefer not to buy a ipad if I don't need to. Would it be possible to run the Linux version from an Android tablet?

6 comments

  1. 3d12
    Link
    I'm going to lean pretty far towards "no" on this one. Just from a quick peek at the install.sh file included in the linux distribution of this program, it seems like the setup wouldn't be...

    I'm going to lean pretty far towards "no" on this one.

    Just from a quick peek at the install.sh file included in the linux distribution of this program, it seems like the setup wouldn't be compatible with Android's filesystem to begin with. Even if that's not the case, or Android symlinks those locations to more appropriate locations in the filesystem, it doesn't include an "app" per se, like Android is expecting. Just the files needed to run the application. That sounds like a a contradiction, but Android apps require a specific "manifest" file which tells the OS what the app is capable of, what permissions it needs, etc. The install.sh file doesn't include any of that. So while setup might "work" (or appear to), I don't think you have a built-in way to tell Android "hey, go take those files I just copied and run them" -- but that said, with a little tinkering in Android Studio, it might be possible to create a "wrapper" app that does exactly that.

    Of course, the best way to confirm this compatibility would probably be to contact their support, or try posting on the forums. I searched the forums for "android" and got no hits, and "linux" only got two hits.

    Realistically, your best bet might just be to put Ubuntu on a laptop or VM and use that to tweak the settings. At least the settings are saved on the device, so you wouldn't need a computer connected every time you want to use it.

    4 votes
  2. [2]
    tesseractcat
    Link
    You might be able to, there's been a lot of progress with Termux and chrooting/X11/wayland/box64 and stuff, that would require a lot of research on your end though. Another (and probably way...

    You might be able to, there's been a lot of progress with Termux and chrooting/X11/wayland/box64 and stuff, that would require a lot of research on your end though.

    Another (and probably way easier) option is to control the app using streaming like VNC or moonlight (moonlight if you need particularly smooth/low latency streaming).

    3 votes
    1. zptc
      Link Parent
      Termux looks interesting, thanks.

      Termux looks interesting, thanks.

      1 vote
  3. [3]
    Pistos
    Link
    How often are you going to need to run this app? If not often, you can make a bootable Linux USB, and run Linux off there from your main computer.

    How often are you going to need to run this app? If not often, you can make a bootable Linux USB, and run Linux off there from your main computer.

    2 votes
    1. [2]
      zptc
      Link Parent
      I have a windows PC I can use to control it, I just wanted something simpler and faster than booting up the PC every time I want to make a minor adjustment or check the settings. I'd be running it...

      I have a windows PC I can use to control it, I just wanted something simpler and faster than booting up the PC every time I want to make a minor adjustment or check the settings. I'd be running it pretty often at first until the settings are dialed in properly, which might take a while.

      1 vote
      1. Pistos
        Link Parent
        Hm. I forgot there were people in the world that turned off their PCs.

        Hm. I forgot there were people in the world that turned off their PCs.

        1 vote