Ika

Paid Linux

What Ika is

Ika is an Android desktop for Linux hosts, running Android 16 in a Cuttlefish virtual machine. It is based on LineageOS 23.2 and is built for Linux hosts, including Apple Silicon systems running Asahi Linux and x86-64 systems. Android apps can open in separate, resizable desktop windows, appear in the host desktop’s app menu, and adjust their display size while preserving DPI settings. GPU acceleration uses OpenGL ES and Vulkan. Game mode can launch games fullscreen with gamepad input passthrough; keyboard, mouse and touch input options are also documented. Builds can include MindTheGapps or microG, or use a de-Googled ROM without an app store. Ika is distributed as separate host application and Android disk image packages, with prebuilt downloads for supported Linux distributions and architectures. The maker provides RPM packages for Fedora, DEB packages for Debian or Ubuntu, and Arch Linux packages, though ARM64 package availability varies by distribution. Building from source needs at least 16 GB of RAM and 300 GB of storage, and the initial build may take three to six hours or longer. Debian and Ubuntu hosts require Mesa 26.1 or newer to use Ika.

Who it suits

Ika suits Linux desktop users who want to run Android apps in resizable windows or launch games fullscreen. It is also aimed at users on Apple Silicon systems running Asahi Linux and x86-64 systems who can use its supported packages or meet its source-build requirements.

What it does well

Android apps run in separate, resizable desktop windows.
Apps can appear in the host desktop’s app menu.
GPU acceleration supports OpenGL ES and Vulkan.
Game mode supports fullscreen play with gamepad passthrough.
Build options include MindTheGapps, microG or a de-Googled ROM.

What to know first

Source builds require at least 16 GB RAM and 300 GB storage.
Initial source builds may take three to six hours or longer.
Debian and Ubuntu require Mesa 26.1 or newer.
ARM64 package availability varies by distribution.

Limits

Building from source requires at least 16 GB of RAM and 300 GB of storage, and the initial build may take three to six hours or more. Debian and Ubuntu require Mesa 26.1 or newer to use Ika.

Getting started

Check whether your host is a supported Linux distribution and architecture.
Choose a Fedora RPM, Debian or Ubuntu DEB, or Arch Linux package if available for your system.
Obtain the host application and Android disk image packages.
Choose a build option: MindTheGapps, microG or a de-Googled ROM without an app store.
On Debian or Ubuntu, ensure Mesa 26.1 or newer is available.
If building from source, provide at least 16 GB RAM and 300 GB storage.

Verdict

Pick Ika if you use a supported Linux host and want Android apps integrated into desktop windows, with options for fullscreen games. Check the package availability and host requirements first; source builds need substantial storage and memory, and Debian or Ubuntu requires Mesa 26.1 or newer.

Questions

Is Ika free and open source?

Ika is listed as free and open source. Its repository license page includes components under multiple licenses, including MIT and Apache License 2.0.

Which operating systems does Ika run on?

Ika is for Linux hosts, including Apple Silicon systems running Asahi Linux and x86-64 systems. Packages are provided for Fedora, Debian or Ubuntu, and Arch Linux; ARM64 package availability varies by distribution.

What is Ika, and what does it run?

It is a desktop-first Android 16 build based on LineageOS 23.2, running in a Cuttlefish virtual machine.

Can Android apps open as desktop windows?

Yes. Apps can run in separate resizable windows and appear in the host desktop’s app menu.

What are the source-build requirements?

A source build requires at least 16 GB of RAM and 300 GB of storage. The initial build may take three to six hours or longer.

What networking is enabled by default?

Guest networking defaults to Ethernet only. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, GNSS and the modem simulator remain off unless enabled.

Facts from Ika's own pages

Android image options: Build options include MindTheGapps, microG, or a de-Googled ROM without an app store. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
App windows: Android apps can run in separate resizable desktop windows and appear in the host desktop’s app menu. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Build options: Builds can include MindTheGapps, microG, or a de-Googled ROM without an app store. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Desktop apps: Android apps can run in their own resizable desktop windows and can be added to the desktop app menu. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Desktop platforms: Linux · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
Game input: Games can run fullscreen with gamepad passthrough, and Ika also documents keyboard, mouse, and touch input options. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Games: Game mode can start games fullscreen with gamepad, keyboard and mouse input passthrough. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Graphics: Ika supports GPU acceleration with OpenGL ES and Vulkan. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Host graphics requirement: Debian and Ubuntu hosts require Mesa 26.1 or newer to install or build Ika. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Host support: The maker lists native builds for Apple Silicon and x86-64 systems running Fedora, Debian or Ubuntu, and Arch Linux. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Installation: The maker provides Fedora RPM, Debian or Ubuntu DEB, and Arch Linux packages, with ARM64 package availability varying by distribution. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Intended users: The project describes itself as an Android desktop for Linux hosts, including Apple Silicon systems running Asahi Linux and x86-64 systems. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License: The repository license page includes components under multiple licenses, including MIT and Apache License 2.0. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Limits: Debian and Ubuntu require Mesa 26.1 or newer to use Ika. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Packages: Ika is distributed as separate host application and Android disk image packages, with prebuilt downloads listed for supported Linux distributions and architectures. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Product: Ika is a desktop focused Android 16 build based on LineageOS 23.2 and runs in a Cuttlefish virtual machine. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Resizable display: Its display can be resized dynamically while preserving DPI settings. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026

Ika