Unlocking the Potential: Running Android on Raspberry Pi for Versatile Applications
July15, 2024
Why Android on Raspberry Pi?
Android, known for its vast ecosystem of applications and user-friendly interface, can transform a Raspberry Pi into a highly functional device capable of handling various tasks, from media consumption to light computing and IoT applications.
Benefits
Customizability: Raspberry Pi provides a high level of customization. By running Android, you can combine the flexibility of the Raspberry Pi hardware with the extensive app ecosystem of Android.
IoT and Development Projects: Running Android can simplify development by leveraging Android’s vast array of development tools, libraries, and apps.
Touchscreen and Multimedia Capabilities: Android is designed with touch interfaces in mind and comes with built-in support for multimedia applications, making it suitable for projects that require these features.
Experimentation and Learning: For developers and enthusiasts, running Android on a Raspberry Pi offers an opportunity to learn more about Android OS, Raspberry Pi, and how different hardware and software components interact.
App Testing: It provides a cost-effective platform for testing Android apps in a different hardware environment, especially useful for developers looking to optimize their apps for various devices.
Performance: Newer Raspberry Pi models (like the Raspberry Pi 5) have enough processing power to run Android relatively smoothly, making it a more viable option than in the past.
Uses cases
1.Smart Home Hub
Control smart home devices using Android apps like Google Home, SmartThings, or Home Assistant. Enjoy seamless integration with other Android devices and Google services. Consider installing Home Assistant for advanced automation and control. Home Assistant can be installed as an app on Android or run alongside the Android OS using Docker.Additionally, the Raspberry Pi with Android can be set up as a media center, allowing users to stream movies, music, and other content to their TV or speakers, integrating with services like Netflix, Spotify, or local media servers.Running a voice assistant like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa on the hub enables users to control their smart home devices, check weather updates, set reminders, and more, all through voice commands.
2.Digital Signage and Kiosks
Digital signage refers to the use of digital displays such as LCD, LED, or projection screens to convey information, advertisements, or other forms of content. Using Android on a Raspberry Pi 5 for digital signage can be an efficient and cost-effective solution in retail, offices, or public spaces.
Kiosks are targeted at providing the users with specific information or providing a specific experience at the same time, denying the possibility to navigate to another application on the gadget. Some of the common places where kiosks are set up are airports, shops, hospitals, cafés, museums and any other place that is familiar with the ordinary people where they may require basic services such as timetables, waiting times, product information, directions, self check-in machinery, and others. Kiosk mode of Raspberry Pi will enable you to boot your Android directly into full screen web page or the Google Apps without the need for the graphical user interface.
Manage and update content remotely using Android apps.
3.Portable Computing
Connect a display, keyboard, and mouse to use the Raspberry Pi as a low-cost Android tablet alternative.
Perform basic tasks like web browsing, email, and using Android productivity apps.
With the ability to run Android, the tablet can be used for gaming, both for Android games and emulators for classic game consoles.
Developers can use it as a compact development environment to write and test code, particularly for Android apps and projects related to Raspberry Pi.
Requirements for Android on Raspberry Pi
● Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 (Raspberry Pi 5 is recommended for better performance
● MicroSD card (Class 10 with at least 32GB of storage)
● Touchscreen (If you want a tablet-like experience)
● Keyboard and mouse (Bluetooth preference to remotely control the Android operating system)
Install custom Android on Raspberry Pi using Raspberry Pi Imager
1.Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager to a computer with an SD card reader. Put the SD card that you will use with your Raspberry Pi into the reader and launch Raspberry Pi Imager.
2.Select the Raspberry Pi Device.
3.Select the custom Operation System.
Android distributions for Raspberry Pi
There is no official version of Android provided by Google for the Raspberry Pi. However, there are several community-supported projects that bring Android to the Raspberry Pi:
Emteria OS
A commercial Android-based operating system for embedded devices, including the Raspberry Pi.
Main Feactures
✔ Full support for Android apps, making it easy to run a wide range of applications available on the Google Play Store (though Play Store itself is not included by default).
✔ Optimized for stability and performance on the Raspberry Pi hardware, ensuring smooth operation for critical applications.
✔ Emteria.OS provides tools for remote device management, allowing users to control, update, and maintain their devices from a centralized location.
✔ Support for over-the-air (OTA) updates ensures that devices can be kept up to date with the latest features and security patches.
✔ A dedicated kiosk mode is available for applications where the device needs to run a single app or a set of restricted apps, ideal for public displays or dedicated terminals.
✔ Enterprise licensing options are available, offering additional support and features tailored to business needs.
LineageOS
This is a popular open-source project based on the Android Open-Source Project (AOSP)
known for its stability, customization options, and regular updates without Google apps on or bloatware.
There are builds of LineageOS available for various Raspberry Pi models.
Main Feactures
● LineageOS is an open-source operating system, which means it is highly customizable. Users can modify the source code to tailor the OS to their specific needs.
● Offers regular updates with security patches and new features, ensuring the system stays up-to-date.
● LineageOS is optimized for performance, ensuring smooth operation on the limited hardware of the Raspberry Pi.
● Users can install custom ROMs to enhance the functionality of their device further.
● Support a wide range of peripheral devices, such as USB keyboards, mic, and game controllers, making it suitable for various use cases.
● Minimalistic approach, with little to no bloatware, providing a clean and efficient user experience.
● Has a large and active community, providing extensive support, tutorials, and forums for troubleshooting and advice.
Tips and Tricks for Android on Raspberry Pi
Overclock
Overclocking the CPU can improve performance. Ensure proper cooling if you overclock.
✔Install a heatsink or a fan to manage the extra heat.
✔Ensure you have a reliable power supply. Overclocking increases power consumption.
1.Connect your microSD with Android OS for Raspberry Pi and open the configuration file for editing:
sudo nano /boot/config.txt
2.Add or modify the following lines to overclock
over_voltage=6
arm_freq=2100
gpu_freq=750
3.Save the changes (Ctrl+X, Y, Enter) and reboot your Raspberry Pi
Disable unnecessary services
Turn off unused services and animations to free up system resources. Access Developer Options:
1.Go to Settings > About tablet/device.
2.Tap Build number multiple times until you see a message indicating that developer options are enabled.
3.Go back to Settings, and you’ll see Developer options listed.
● Disable Background Services:
1.In Developer options, look for Running services.
2.Tap on Running services to view active services.
3.Identify services that are not needed and stop them. Be cautious not to stop essential system services.
● Disable Apps:
1.Go to Settings > Apps.
2.Review the list of installed apps.
3.Tap on any app you don’t use and select Disable or Uninstall if possible.
● Disable Animations:
1.In Developer options, you can reduce or disable animations by setting Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale to Off or 0.5x
Use a lightweight launcher
Opt for a simple, lightweight launcher to keep the interface smooth.
Expanding Storage
Use external USB storage for apps and media files to save space on the microSD card.
Enabling Google Play Store
1.Download Open GApps: Go to the Open GApps website and download the appropriate package for ARM architecture and Android version.
2.Transfer the package: Copy the GApps package to a USB drive and insert it into your Raspberry Pi.
3.Use a file manager on Android to locate and install the GApps package.
