With the introduction of the Linux Terminal app in the latest Android 16 beta, Pixel phones are moving closer to functioning as portable PCs. The app allows users to run a full Debian virtual machine, enabling the use of Linux desktop applications alongside Android apps. Previously, the Linux VM was limited to just 16GB of storage, which often proved insufficient for many users. However, Google has now removed this storage cap, allowing the Linux Terminal to utilize as much of the device’s storage as required.
In the recent Android 16 Beta 4 update, the disk space for the Linux virtual machine can now be resized to nearly all of the host’s available storage, with only 1GB reserved to prevent the VM from occupying all available space. Testing the feature on a Google Pixel 9 Pro, resizing the VM’s disk to 42.3GB was completed in moments, making additional storage immediately available.
Looking ahead, Google plans to enhance the Linux Terminal app further by introducing dynamic storage management. This feature—referred to as storage ballooning—will automatically adjust the VM’s storage based on current needs. This approach will not only simplify storage management but will also help prevent the host device from running low on space.
As improvements to the Linux Terminal app continue, it plays a pivotal role in Google’s strategy to transition Chrome OS to an Android foundation. While the app is designed to run Linux applications in conjunction with Android apps rather than replace Android’s native desktop mode, its ongoing development promises to open up numerous innovative possibilities for users on their Pixel devices.
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