Openai/6932a1cc-20c0-8013-a794-87aa954d6477

This conversation was exported from ChatGPT

gpt-5-1-instant

User: can i install docker on android

can i install docker on android

Assistant: Yes — you can use Docker on Android, but not by installing the regular Docker Engine directly.

Yes — you can use Docker on Android, but not by installing the regular Docker Engine directly. Android isn't a standard Linux distribution and lacks required kernel features, so Docker can't run natively. However, there are three reliable work-arounds, depending on what you need:

✅ 1. Use Termux + Proot (User-Space Containers — NOT real Docker)

You can run Docker-like containers using tools such as proot-distro, distrobox, or podman inside Termux.

What you can do

• Run Linux distributions in userspace
• Use container-like environments
• Run many CLI tools

What you cannot do

• Run true Docker Engine
• Use privileged containers

Example (Termux)

pkg install proot-distro
proot-distro install ubuntu
proot-distro login ubuntu

Then inside Ubuntu:

apt install podman

✅ 2. Use Podman (Rootless Containers)

Podman can run rootless containers on Android through Termux.

Pros

• Works without root
• Similar CLI to Docker (alias docker=podman is possible)

Cons

• No Docker daemon → cannot run some docker-compose setups
• Limited performance

✅ 3. Use an Android Linux VM App (Closest to Real Docker)

If your device is powerful and you want real Docker Engine:

Apps that work:

• UserLAnd
• Andronix + paid mod
• Limbo / QEMU (slower but flexible)
• VMOS (for some setups)

These run a full Linux environment where you can install Docker normally:

Example (inside Ubuntu VM):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker.io
sudo systemctl start docker

Requirements

• Often root gives better compatibility
• More RAM & storage

🚫 What will not work

• Installing Docker APK
• Installing Docker directly on Android OS
• Using Play Store or direct packages

Docker needs kernel features that Android does not provide (namespaces, cgroups v1/v2 in the right configuration, overlayfs support, etc.).

⭐ Best Option for Most Users

• If you want simple container-like environments → Termux + Podman
• If you want real Docker Engine → Run Linux in a VM (UserLAnd / Andronix)

If you tell me your device model, Android version, and whether you have root, I can recommend the best method and give you exact step-by-step instructions.

gpt-5-1-thinking

User: i wanted to use changedetection.io with docker on android.

i wanted to use changedetection.io with docker on android. if it's not posssible, recommand another solution that lets changedetection.io work with android

Assistant: Short version: Docker on Android is a pain, but you can still run changedetection.io on Android without Docker.

Short version: Docker on Android is a pain, but you can still run changedetection.io on Android without Docker.

Here are the best options, top to bottom.

1) Run changedetection.io directly in Termux (no Docker)

This is probably the closest to what you want: fully local, on your phone.

There’s an official pip package, and the basic run command is: changedetection.io -d <data_dir> -p 5000 PyPI

There’s even evidence of people running it on Termux in the wild. GitHub

What you’ll likely do

1. Install Termux (preferably from F-Droid).
2. In Termux:

pkg update && pkg upgrade
pkg install python clang rust libffi openssl
pip install --upgrade pip
pip install changedetection.io
mkdir -p ~/changedetection-data
changedetection.io -d ~/changedetection-data -p 5000

1. Open in your phone browser:

• http://127.0.0.1:5000

Caveats

• Android may kill background processes to save battery.
• Advanced JS rendering/visual selector may be harder on-device.

2) Hybrid: Run the app on Android, but use a remote browser driver for JS pages

changedetection.io supports pointing to a remote Playwright/Chrome driver via PLAYWRIGHT_DRIVER_URL. docs.linuxserver.io So you could:

• Run changedetection.io in Termux on your phone
• Run a Playwright/Browserless service on a home server/VPS
• Configure the driver URL in the app settings/env

This keeps your watch list local while offloading heavy browser work.

3) Run changedetection.io somewhere else, use it from Android

This is the most reliable “set and forget” approach:

• Raspberry Pi / NAS / mini-PC / cheap VPS
• Then just access the web UI from your phone

4) Use the hosted changedetection.io service

If you’re okay with SaaS, their site advertises an easy subscription (shown as $8.99/month with a generous watch allowance). changedetection.io You get changedetection.io without any setup, and it’s obviously Android-friendly via browser.

5) If you’re open to non-changedetection apps

Android-native alternatives include Distill Web Monitor and Web Alert (among others). AlternativeTo

My recommendation

• Want local + free → Termux + pip install. PyPI
• Want reliable 24/7 monitoring → run it on a small server/VPS and use Android as the client.
• Want zero hassle → official hosted plan. changedetection.io

If you want, I can give you a lean Termux setup tailored to your phone model and whether you care about JS-heavy pages.