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"How to Run VS Code on Android & Tablet using Termux (No Root) |

 "Nowadays many people want to do programming from mobile or tablet only."

Nowadays laptops or PCs are not available to everyone, but smartphones and tablets are available to everyone. That is why many students, beginners or hobby coders want to learn or practice programming on mobile or tablet only.


> "Yes yes! I also want to do coding from phone or tablet!"


Normally, Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a desktop tool. But in this article it has been told that we can run VS Code on Android or tablet also by using Termux + Ubuntu.


In this article/guide we will learn the complete process of how to setup VS Code in your mobile or tablet without any root access (i.e. without rooting the phone). You can run vs code editor in your Android tablet through Termux, in which we can do coding in your Android phone. Let us now understand step by step how you can run vs code editor in your Android phone.

🔹 Step 1: Termux Installation (from F-Droid)

1. "Avoid Play Store version"

If you want to start coding on Android phone or tablet, Termux is a must-have tool. But remember - do not install Termux from Play Store! The Termux app available on Google Play Store is not updated. Many packages do not work in it, and there is a problem in installing the latest Linux tools. If you install Termux from Play Store, the setup may fail. That's why it is better to use an alternate source (F-Droid). For this, you can install Termux from F-Droid itself or install it from the official GitHub repository of Termux.


📌 Tips to install termux :

  1. Go to F-Droid and search for Termux
  2. Download the latest version
  3. Go to File Manager and install APK

2. Enabling permissions (unknown sources)

When you install an APK (from outside the Play Store), the phone asks you for permission:


"Allow installation from unknown sources" – this permission has to be enabled, go to settings and enable it.


📲 Note for Tablet Users:

If you are using an Android tablet, the Termux experience will be even better – the bigger screen and external keyboard support makes the coding experience even smoother.

🔹Step 2: Install Ubuntu in Termux (Without Root)

Now that Termux is installed on your phone or tablet, the next step is to set up the Ubuntu Linux environment. This gives you a full-fledged Linux terminal in which you can run real programming tools — including VS Code!

🔧 Step-by-Step Commands:

✅ 1. Update Package Repository

First of all, open Termux and run this command. This command will update all the packages of Termux:


pkg update


If a prompt appears, press `y` and enter.

✅ 2. Upgrade Packages

Now upgrade system packages:


pkg upgrade

Here also, whenever the prompt comes, press `y`.

✅ 3. Install proot-distro

This tool helps to run distros like Ubuntu in Termux:


pkg install proot-distro

To see available distros, you can run this command:

proot-distro list


This will let you know which other Linux versions are available in Termux.

✅ 4. Install Ubuntu 

Now fire the main command, this will install Ubuntu in your termux.


proot-distro install ubuntu


This will take some time, because it will download the entire Ubuntu base system. It may take 2 to 5 minutes, it depends on your internet speed.

✅ 5. Start Ubuntu

To launch Ubuntu after installation:


proot-distro login ubuntu


If Ubuntu has been successfully installed in your termux, then now you will see a prompt in your terminal something like this:


root@ubuntu:~#


🎉 Congrats! Now your Android or tablet has become a mini Linux machine.

🔧 Note for Beginners:

If you are getting any errors while running the pkg update or pkg upgrade command (such as "repository under maintenance" or "unable to fetch"), then follow these steps:

termux-change-repo

Then select “Grimler’s mirror” from the repo list (this is generally fast and reliable). After that, run the pkg update command again.

✅ This will update your Termux packages correctly without any errors.


In the next step, we will see how to download VS Code's code-server and run it in the browser — just like a real desktop coding environment!


🔹 Step 3: Code-Server Download and Setup in Android (VS Code on Android / Tablet)

Now that Ubuntu is installed in Termux, the next step is to setup a VS Code like experience. So that VS Code will start running on your Android phone.

For this we will use `code-server` - this is a lightweight version that runs in the browser like VS Code!

🧰 What is Code-Server?

`code-server` is an open-source tool that makes Visual Studio Code accessible through the browser.

That means now you can run VS Code on Android phone or tablet - without any heavy app!

🔧 Setup Steps: Run these commands inside Ubuntu:

✅ 1. Update Ubuntu Packages


apt update

apt upgrade


Whenever the prompt comes, type `y` and press enter.


✅ 2. Install wget (for file download)


apt install wget


✅ 3. Download Latest Code Server


Run this command (or download from the link for updated version):


wget https://github.com/coder/code-server/releases/download/v4.16.1/code-server-4.16.1-linux-arm64.tar.gz


📝Note: If your device is not ARM64, then check the architecture with `uname -m` command and download the version accordingly.

✅ 4. Extract the file

tar -xvf ./code-server-4.16.1-linux-arm64.tar.gz

After this open the folder:


cd code-server-4.16.1-linux-arm64

cd bin


✅ 5. Set Password (for local use)


export PASSWORD="123456"


⚠️ Note: This password is only for local access. If you want to give public access then set a strong password.


✅ 6. Start Code Server

./code-server

📱 How to access?

1. Open the browser of your Android phone or tablet (Chrome recommended)

2. Type in the URL:


localhost:8080


3. It will ask for a password — enter the one you exported.

4. 🎉 Boom! VS Code opens in the browser.


🧑‍💻 Now you can:

  • coding in Python, C, Java, JS
  • install Extensions
  • File system access
  • use Terminal (side by side)

📝 Important Tip:


If `localhost:8080` is not working:

Check if any VPN or battery saver mode is active in the browser

Or try again by resetting the repo with `termux-change-repo`

🔹Step 4: Customize VS Code – Extensions, Terminal & Remote Access

Now that you have VS Code (via code-server) running on your Android phone or tablet, you can create a real developer-like setup — just like a desktop!

🔌 1. Useful VS Code Extensions for Mobile/Tablet Devs.

To install extensions inside VS Code, click on the Extensions icon (🧩) in the left sidebar or use the `Ctrl + Shift + X` shortcut (if using an external keyboard).


👉 Some recommended extensions:

  •  Python – best for Python coding

  •  Code Runner – Quickly run code in various languages

  •  Prettier – Auto code formatting

  •  ESLint – JavaScript linting & error fix

  •  GitLens – Git integration + commit history

🖥️ 2. Split Terminal Use (for Multi-tasking)

VS Code has a built-in terminal. You can use it to run extra commands in the Ubuntu environment.

To open the terminal:

View → Terminal

or shortcut: Ctrl + `


In Split view you can see code + terminal side-by-side – especially useful for tablet screen users.

🌐 3. Remote File Access (Optional Pro Trick)

If you want to work on files in the cloud or remote server:

- By installing `SFTP` or `Remote SSH` extension.

- Connect with your VPS or shared hosting credentials.


📌 Useful if you're working on live websites, servers or GitHub repos directly from your phone!

 📝 Bonus Tips:

✅To improve performance:

  • Keep background apps closed
  • Keep code-server open in one tab in browser
  • Use external keyboard & mouse on tablet for best experience

✅ Storage Issue?

- Save code files in external SD card or OTG USB drive

- Or use Google Drive / GitHub sync

🏁 Final Recap: What did you achieve?

✔️ Installed Termux on Android phone or tablet.

✔️ Run Ubuntu Linux inside Termux.

✔️ Used VS Code through browser.

✔️ Setup Extensions, terminal and remote access.


🤖 FAQs – VS Code on Android/Tablet using Termux

🔹 1. Can we run VS Code on Android phone or tablet?

Yes, you can run VS Code on Android phone or tablet using Termux + Ubuntu + Code-Server. With this setup, you can get the real VS Code experience through the browser – without root. The article about running vs code on android phone has been explained in detail step by step.

🔹 2. What is Termux and how is it useful for programming?

Termux is an Android terminal emulator that creates a Linux-like environment on your phone. You can install tools like Ubuntu, Python, Node.js, Git, and VS Code in it.

🔹 3. Why should you not install Termux from Play Store?

The Play Store version of Termux is outdated and does not get updates after Android 10. So installing the latest version from F-Droid is recommended for smooth package management.

🔹 4. Do VS Code extensions work in Android setup?

Yes, you can install most popular VS Code extensions like Python, Prettier, ESLint, GitLens, etc. Code-server supports these extensions in the browser.

🔹 5. Does this setup work without root?

Absolutely! This entire setup is for non-rooted Android devices and tablets. Only Termux + proot-distro + Ubuntu is used, root access is not required.

🔹 6. Is coding on a tablet better than a phone?

Yes, tablets have bigger screen, better multitasking, and external keyboard support makes it convenient for coding. If you have a tablet then this setup will run even smoother.

🔹 7. Which programming languages ​​are supported in VS Code Android setup?

In this setup you can code in popular languages ​​like Python, C/C++, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Go, Ruby etc. – just like desktop version.

🔹 8. What to do if localhost:8080 is not opening?

Ensure that code-server is running in Termux Type localhost:8080 in mobile browser Disable VPN, Data Saver or Battery Optimization Or refresh the repo in Termux by doing termux-change-repo

🔹 9. Is this method safe?

Yes, if you install Termux and code-server from trusted sources (F-Droid, official GitHub), then this method is safe. There is no external risk as it runs on localhost.

🔹 10. Can we manage GitHub projects from mobile?

Yes! You can use commands like git clone, git push, git pull in Termux by installing Git, or you can access GitHub directly by using Git extensions in VS Code.


💥 Now you can do programming on mobile or tablet from anywhere — without any desktop/laptop!

Coding on Android/Tablet is Now Super Easy!


If you are a student, or want to practice coding while traveling - then Termux + Ubuntu + VS Code setup is perfect for you. Especially if you don't have a laptop and want to do programming on Android phone or tablet, then this is one of the best mobile coding setup - without root, absolutely free!


> "VS Code on Android or Tablet is no longer just a dream - it's a real solution for all beginners and mobile coders!"

I hope you understood this article well. I have explained each step from basic to advanced so that even beginners don't have any problem.

If you have any doubts, any errors, or you did not understand any steps, you can ask in the comment section below, I will personally try my best to reply. ✅


Whether you want to learn Python or web development, you can now start coding on your mobile or tablet from anywhere.


📌 Points Covered in This Article:

  • How to run VS Code on Android
  • How to install Termux from F-Droid
  • VS Code setup in Termux (without root)
  • How to install Ubuntu in Termux
  • Run VS Code on Android tablet
  • Terminal for Android coding
  • Code-server setup in Termux
  • Access VS Code in browser on mobile
  • Use Ubuntu environment on phone
  • Best coding tools for Android and tablets
  • Git & GitHub setup in Termux
  • VS Code for mobile programming
  • Fix localhost errors in Termux
  • Enable coding workflow on tablet
  • Keyboard and extension setup for VS Code on Android
  • Full coding environment on phone or tablet


Happy learning and happy coding! 🔥📱💻

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