Ubuntu
ubiquity package

Can I install ubuntu on my Acer Iconia A501 android tablet?

Asked by Andrea Summerfield

Hi,

I recently purchased an Acer Iconia A501 android tablet. Can I install Ubuntu on it? I see there is Ubuntu for android available but everything I have read about it so far indicates that this is for a phone rather than a tablet.

Thanks, Andrea

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Andrea Summerfield
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

If you can make the device boot the SD card with Ubuntu on to then run the installer, sure why not

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Andrea Summerfield (sunflowr) said : 		#2

Ok, so do I need to download Ubuntu to the SD card then? Which one do I use? The android one or a regular one as it is not for a phone?

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Andrea Summerfield (sunflowr) said : 		#3

Just had a closer look at the Ubuntu home page and it appears there is no android download available. So do I try to download the latest Ubuntu?

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Thomas Krüger (thkrueger) said : 		#4

Installing Ubuntu on an Android device work very different from the "normal" way and requires advanced computer and especially Linux knowledge.
You can not simply put an SD card it and install it from there. Android devices do not boot from SD card.
To run Ubuntu you have to create an image file holding the installation and an chroot environment on a rooted (!) device.
There are some installer available in the Play Store which claim to do just that, but many don't work properly or install old Ubuntu versions.
Also the installation will require several GB of internal storage.

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Andrea Summerfield (sunflowr) said : 		#5

Mmm, well that could be a bit of a problem then as advanced computer knowledge is something I definitely do not have! I have Ubuntu on my laptop and desktop, but was hoping I could install on my tablet too. Any idea of the name of the installer I would need to look for in the play store? And would this make it possible for a non-technical person like me to install? If it installs an old version, would updating would be the same process as on the laptop, with update manager telling me what to do? Sorry about all the questions. I think I have about 11 gig free on the hard drive so hopefully it should fit.

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Thomas Krüger (thkrueger) said : 		#6

Well, before you start searching the store you will have to root the device.
That means you have to break out of the security jail of the Android device to get full root rights.
Unlike on Ubuntu this is not done with a simple sudo command, and the procedure differs from device to device.
You also have a fair chance to "brick" (make it not usable at all) the tablet and it will void your warranty.
I do not recommend this for normal users.

If you still want to do it. Here's a link:
http://droidtrends.com/2012/09/how-to-root-the-acer-iconia-a500-tablet

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Andrea Summerfield (sunflowr) said : 		#7

Thanks very much for your advice. I shall leave well alone and just put up with Android as knowing my luck I would end up with a brick! Fingers crossed Ubuntu might release a version specifically for android tablets at some stage that I can easily download and use as on the desktop :)