Linux app support is disappointing on Googlebooks, but Breadstick Linux is the solution

Googlebooks have plenty of selling points, such as deep cross-device support, Gemini integration, and Android app support. The platform can also run Linux apps via the Android Terminal, but this functionality is barebones and relies on unwieldy commands. Fortunately, a third-party app has stepped in with much better support.

Breadstick Linux has emerged as an alternative to native Linux support on Googlebooks. This app is available via the Play Store and runs a custom version of the Debian Linux distribution via a container. The developer initially created the app for phones and tablets, but has now tuned it to run on the Google-powered laptops. Furthermore, the latest version of the app now supports Intel-based Googlebooks.

Setup is pretty easy, as you download the required files, create an account, and visit the “Recommended apps menu to download key apps with one click. You can then return to the main page and choose to start the desktop mode, a terminal, or a floating app window.

Once you’ve set everything up and activated desktop mode, you’re greeted by a spartan but pleasant desktop environment. I tried a few apps like GIMP, Chrome, and 2D game SuperTux 2, and they all booted up just fine. GIMP and SuperTux 2 ran smoothly, although I was greeted with a warning about background process limits shortly after starting Chrome. You can raise this process limit via an ADB command, but this system change applies to all apps and can potentially affect your device’s battery life.

Breadstick Linux is available in a free version as well as a Pro option with a one-time purchase of $20 (no subscription here). The free version includes a desktop mode, up to two floating Linux apps at once, two terminal tabs, SSH and VNC functionality, and the ability to install .deb and AppImage files.

Spend $20 on the Pro version, and you can run an uncapped number of floating Linux apps, print from Linux apps, and drag files into Linux. Other Pro features include Android file support, GPU acceleration, a more robust terminal, and multiple desktops. 

It’s definitely worth giving Breadstick Linux a try if you’ve got a Googlebook or Android device and want a quick and easy way to run Linux apps on your device. The app has its downsides, such as the aforementioned process limit issue and the lack of Windows app support, but you can do a lot worse than this.