Kali Linux NetHunter is the mobile version of the popular Kali Linux security operating system. You can install it on any unrooted Android phone to run many penetration testing tools from your phone. You can gain even more features if you have a rooted Android device but this is not required. Kali Linux is the most popular penetration testing and security auditing operating system in the world. Thanks to the NetHunter project, it is now possible to install Kali Linux on an Android phone.

Directions

1 – Install Termux on Your Phone

Termux latest version is no longer in the google play store and should be installed from there github page. Once you download the APK file to your mobile device just enable unknown sources and install the APK. After installing the app launch it and lets move to the next step.

2 – Upgrade Repositories

Run the following commands in the Termux terminal.

apt update
apt upgrade
termux-setup-storage

Answer yes to all options and after running the last command It should trigger a pop-up that asks whether you want to allow Termux to access files on your device. Tap on “Allow.”

3 – Install NetHunter

Run the following commands in the Termux terminal.

apt install wget
wget -O install-nethunter-termux https://offs.ec/2MceZWr
chmod +x install-nethunter-termux
./install-nethunter-termux

This is just a short URL for the Official one here https://gitlab.com/kalilinux/nethunter/build-scripts/kali-nethunter-project/raw/master/nethunter-rootless/install-nethunter-termux

4 – Start Kali NetHunter

Running either of the following commands in the Termux terminal will launch the nethunter terminal.

nethunter
nh

5 – Install NetHunter KeX

If you want a GUI user interface you can fun kex on the device with the following commands.

Set a password for the kex remote interface.

nethunter kex passwd

Start the kex interface.

nethunter kex

Install a VNC viewer app on your android device. We highly recommend the VNC Viewer app from the google play store to achieve this task. Once installed all you will need to log into the Kex GUI interface is the IP and Password you created above.

The IP is “localhost:5901“

“Password” is the whatever you set it to with this command nethunter kex passwd

Once its all installed and running your Android screen should look something like this. Now you have Kali Linux NetHunter running on you unrooted Android devices and you can run awesome Linux tools like Nmap and Metasploit.