⌘ DPHMS OS Setup Guide
How to install and run the DPHMS OS Linux desktop on your phone — no root required
1
Check the Requirements
- Android 8.0 or newer
- 3GB free storage (the install downloads ~400MB over Wi-Fi)
- Shizuku installed and authorized — see the Shizuku Setup Guide if you haven't done this yet
💡 DPHMS OS never roots your phone. It runs Arch Linux inside a proot container — your phone stays untouched.
2
Get DPHMS OS
Buy DPHMS OS on the splash page ($9.99, one-time, PayPal). After checkout, the thank-you page gives you the signed APK and the full source code.
⚠️ On v0.1.4 or v0.1.5? Just install v0.1.6 right over it — no uninstall needed. Only versions older than v0.1.4 crash on open; uninstall those first.
3
Sideload the Installer App
- Download the APK from the thank-you page and tap it
- If your browser blocks it: allow "Install unknown apps" for your browser, then tap again
- If Play Protect warns you (it doesn't recognize indie apps): tap More details → Install anyway
💡 Play Protect warnings are normal for apps outside the Play Store. DPHMS OS is signed by R. C. Anicola and audited — 1 permission, zero trackers, proot-only.
4
Authorize Shizuku
- Make sure Shizuku is running (start it from its app or notification)
- Open DPHMS OS and grant it Shizuku access when prompted
⚠️ Shizuku stops after every reboot — just restart it, then reopen DPHMS OS.
5
Install the OS (one tap)
- Tap Install in the DPHMS OS app
- It downloads the payload (~400MB) and builds the Arch Linux ARM container: XFCE desktop, DPHMS dark theme, dock, Firefox, terminal, offline DPHMS Slots
- Keep the app open on Wi-Fi until it finishes
6
Start the Desktop
- Tap Start in the app — the VNC server boots on
127.0.0.1:5901
- Install AVNC (free) — Google Play · F-Droid
- In AVNC, connect to
127.0.0.1:5901 — password dphms
💡 The desktop has launchers for DPHMS, DPHMS Slots (offline), and the DPHMS OS copyright page. Tap Stop in the app to shut the container down when you're done.
The app force-closes or won't open
v0.1.4 fixed the won't-open bug, v0.1.5 fixed the crash when tapping INSTALL, and v0.1.6 fixes the install chain itself — earlier versions tried to download with wget/curl, which stock Android doesn't have. v0.1.6's app downloads everything itself (payload + the Arch rootfs) and pushes it to the shell, so the install actually runs now. Make sure you're on v0.1.6 (shown in the console header). Download the new APK from the thank-you page and install it over your current version. If anything still fails, the crash armor shows the exact error on-screen — send a screenshot to 4ranicola@gmail.com.
Install fails or stalls
Check you're on Wi-Fi with 3GB+ free storage, then tap Install again. The payload is re-downloadable any time from dphms.vercel.app/dphms-os/.
VNC can't connect
Tap Status in the DPHMS OS app — the desktop must be running. Then connect AVNC (Play Store) to exactly 127.0.0.1:5901 (not 5900).
Do I need to redo this after a reboot?
Only Shizuku needs a restart after reboot — the installed OS stays on your phone. Just restart Shizuku, open DPHMS OS, and tap Start.
Get DPHMS OS — $9.99
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