Termux is a popular Android terminal emulator that offers a powerful Linux environment, but sometimes you may need to run Termux binaries from a root shell. This post will guide you through the process.
Why Call Termux Binaries from a Root Shell?
Running Termux binaries from a root shell gives you more control and flexibility, especially when you’re working with system-level operations or need to access root permissions for specific tasks. However, by default, Termux binaries are designed to run within the Termux environment, which may not always be available from a root shell.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Install Termux
Ensure that you have Termux installed on your device. If you haven’t already, you can download it from the Google Play Store or F-Droid.
Step 2: Grant Root Access
To access root privileges, you need to have root (superuser) access to your Android device. You can do this by rooting your device or using a device with root privileges enabled. Use a tool like Magisk for rooting if required.
Step 3: Locate Termux Binary Path
Termux binaries are typically located in the /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin/ directory. You can check for the exact location by using the following command within Termux:
echo $PREFIX
This will return the path to your Termux installation, which is where the binaries are stored.
Step 4: Add Termux Binaries to the Root Shell Path
To call Termux binaries from the root shell, you need to add the Termux binary directory to your root shell’s $PATH. This ensures that the shell knows where to find the Termux commands.
Use the following command to temporarily add the Termux binary directory to your root shell:
export PATH=$PATH:/data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin
This command updates the $PATH variable for the current session, allowing you to call Termux binaries while in the root shell.
Step 5: Run Termux Commands
Now that the Termux binaries are in the root shell’s path, you can execute Termux commands just like you would inside the Termux app. For example, to install a package, you can use:
pkg install nano
This command will work just like it would inside the Termux environment, allowing you to install and use packages from the root shell.
Calling Termux binaries from a root shell is a simple yet powerful way to leverage the power of Termux while working with root-level access. Just remember to add the Termux binary path to the shell’s $PATH variable, and you’ll be able to run commands seamlessly across both environments.
Happy hacking!