💻 Code and manage servers from Android

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Your phone can be a real emergency workstation: SSH into a server, run git pull, check an APK or debug an app without a cable.

1. A real Linux terminal: Termux

Termux is a full Linux terminal, no root needed.

• Install it from F-Droid or GitHub (the Play Store version lagged behind for a long time, check termux.dev).
• First useful packages: ```bash pkg update && pkg upgrade pkg install git openssh python nodejs termux-setup-storage # access shared storage (~/storage) ```
• Keyboard tip: swipe left on the extra-keys row to get a text input field, or plug in a Bluetooth keyboard.

2. Secure SSH: keys, not passwords

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "my-phone"       # creates ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
ssh-copy-id user@my-server.com             # copies the public key to the server

Create ~/.ssh/config so you never type addresses again:

Host prod
    HostName my-server.com
    User deploy
    Port 22
    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
    ServerAliveInterval 30

Then just run ssh prod. Good practices:

• ✅ Protect the key with a passphrase. Phones get lost more easily than laptops.
• ✅ Use a key dedicated to the phone. If you lose it, you revoke only that key (in the server's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys).
• ✅ On the server, disable password login (PasswordAuthentication no) once the key works.
• ✅ Unstable connection (4G, subway)? Run long commands inside tmux or screen so a drop doesn't kill them.

3. Git on the go

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
git clone git@github.com:you/project.git

Add your SSH public key to GitHub or GitLab (Settings → SSH keys). A quick fix committed from the phone is fine. Keep big changes for the computer.

4. Debug without a cable: wireless ADB (Android 11+)

1. Settings → About phone → tap Build number 7 times to enable developer options.
2. Developer options → Wireless debugging → turn on → Pair device with pairing code.
3. On the computer (same Wi-Fi network): ```bash adb pair 192.168.1.20:37155 # IP:port and code shown on the phone adb connect 192.168.1.20:41023 # port shown on the "Wireless debugging" screen adb devices ```

Useful commands: adb install app.apk, adb logcat, adb shell pm list packages, adb exec-out screencap -p > screen.png.

5. APKs: install without taking risks

• An APK is a single file. APKS / XAPK / APKM files bundle several APKs (split APKs): you need a compatible installer or adb install-multiple.
• Before installing an APK that doesn't come from the Play Store:
  • make sure it comes from the official source (the developer's website or GitHub);
  • check the signature: apksigner verify --print-certs app.apk. An update must have the same certificate as the installed version;
  • compare the SHA-256 fingerprint if the developer publishes it: sha256sum app.apk.
• Keep Google Play Protect on, and remove the "Install unknown apps" permission from the app you used to install once you're done.

6. Small tricks that change everything

• Split screen: terminal on one side, documentation on the other.
• Samsung DeX or desktop mode (on some recent devices): screen, keyboard and mouse for a real workstation.
• Battery saver: exclude Termux and your SSH app from battery optimization, or background sessions get killed.

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