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AndyOS Virtual Machine Setup

This guide explains how to run AndyOS in VirtualBox or VMware for testing and development.

Option 1: VirtualBox (Recommended)

Prerequisites

  • VirtualBox 7.0+
  • AndyOS x86_64 ISO (build from source or download release)

Creating the VM

# Create VM
VBoxManage createvm --name "AndyOS" --ostype "Linux_64" --register

# Configure hardware
VBoxManage modifyvm "AndyOS" \
    --memory 4096 \
    --vram 128 \
    --cpus 2 \
    --acpi on \
    --ioapic on \
    --pae on \
    --hwvirtex on \
    --nestedpaging on \
    --largepages on \
    --firmware efi \
    --chipset ich9 \
    --mouse usbtablet \
    --keyboard usb \
    --audio coreaudio \
    --audiocontroller hda \
    --audioout on

# Create virtual disk (32GB)
VBoxManage createhd --filename ~/VirtualBox\ VMs/AndyOS/AndyOS.vdi --size 32768

# Add storage controller
VBoxManage storagectl "AndyOS" --name "SATA" --add sata --controller IntelAhci

# Attach disk
VBoxManage storageattach "AndyOS" \
    --storagectl "SATA" \
    --port 0 \
    --device 0 \
    --type hdd \
    --medium ~/VirtualBox\ VMs/AndyOS/AndyOS.vdi

# Attach ISO
VBoxManage storageattach "AndyOS" \
    --storagectl "SATA" \
    --port 1 \
    --device 0 \
    --type dvddrive \
    --medium /path/to/andyos-x86_64-1.0.iso

# Network (NAT for privacy)
VBoxManage modifyvm "AndyOS" --nic1 nat

# Graphics
VBoxManage modifyvm "AndyOS" --graphicscontroller vmsvga --accelerate3d on

First Boot

# Start VM
VBoxManage startvm "AndyOS"
  1. Boot from ISO (should happen automatically)
  2. Select "AndyOS 1.0 Liberation" from boot menu
  3. Wait for system to load (2-3 minutes first boot)
  4. Complete Setup Wizard:
    • Accept privacy agreement
    • Configure WiFi (optional in VM)
    • Select DNS provider (Quad9 recommended)
    • Skip encryption (already enabled)
    • Initialize F-Droid

Post-Installation

After first boot, you can remove the ISO:

VBoxManage storageattach "AndyOS" \
    --storagectl "SATA" \
    --port 1 \
    --device 0 \
    --type dvddrive \
    --medium none

Option 2: VMware Workstation/Fusion

Creating the VM

  1. Open VMware
  2. File → New Virtual Machine
  3. Select "Custom (advanced)"
  4. Choose "Linux" → "Other Linux 5.x kernel 64-bit"
  5. Configure:
    • Memory: 4096 MB
    • Processors: 2 cores
    • Hard Disk: 32 GB (SCSI)
    • Network: NAT
  6. Edit VM settings:
    • Display → Enable 3D acceleration
    • CD/DVD → Use ISO image → Select AndyOS ISO
    • Options → Advanced → Firmware type: UEFI

First Boot

  1. Power on VM
  2. Follow same setup wizard steps as VirtualBox

Option 3: Android Emulator (Development)

For development and testing without a full VM:

# Create AVD (Android Virtual Device)
avdmanager create avd \
    -n andyos-dev \
    -k "system-images;android-34;default;x86_64" \
    -d "pixel_7"

# Start emulator with AndyOS system image
emulator -avd andyos-dev \
    -system out/target/product/x86_64/system.img \
    -ramdisk out/target/product/x86_64/ramdisk.img \
    -kernel out/target/product/x86_64/kernel \
    -no-snapshot \
    -wipe-data

Performance Optimization

VirtualBox

# Enable nested virtualization (if host supports KVM)
VBoxManage modifyvm "AndyOS" --nested-hw-virt on

# Increase video memory
VBoxManage modifyvm "AndyOS" --vram 256

# Enable PAE/NX
VBoxManage modifyvm "AndyOS" --pae on

VMware

  • Enable "Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI"
  • Increase video memory to 256MB
  • Enable "Accelerate 3D graphics"

Privacy Configuration in VM

Network Isolation

For maximum privacy testing:

# Disable network entirely
VBoxManage modifyvm "AndyOS" --nic1 none

# Or use host-only network (no internet)
VBoxManage modifyvm "AndyOS" --nic1 hostonly

Shared Folders (Optional)

Warning: Shared folders reduce isolation. Only enable if needed.

VBoxManage sharedfolder add "AndyOS" \
    --name "shared" \
    --hostpath "/path/to/shared/folder" \
    --automount

Troubleshooting

Black Screen on Boot

  • Ensure EFI firmware is enabled
  • Try disabling 3D acceleration
  • Increase video memory to 256MB

Slow Performance

  • Allocate more RAM (6-8GB if available)
  • Enable nested virtualization
  • Use SSD for virtual disk storage

No Network

  • Check NAT configuration
  • Verify VM network adapter is enabled
  • Try switching to bridged mode

Audio Not Working

  • VirtualBox: Select "Intel HD Audio" controller
  • VMware: Ensure "Connect at power on" is checked

Verification

Check Privacy Settings

# Connect via ADB
adb connect localhost:5555

# Verify no Google connections
adb shell "tcpdump -i any host google.com"
# Should show no traffic

# Check DNS
adb shell getprop | grep dns
# Should show 9.9.9.9 (Quad9)

Test F-Droid

  1. Open F-Droid app
  2. Update repositories
  3. Install a test app (e.g., NewPipe)
  4. Verify installation works

Next Steps