Install Kali Linux NetHunter on Android Phone Step by Step

Installing Kali Linux NetHunter on Android Phone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Kali Linux NetHunter is the mobile version of the popular Kali Linux security operating system, designed to run on Android devices. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Kali Linux NetHunter on your Android phone, including both rooted and unrooted methods.

Compatibility and Requirements

Before you begin, ensure your Android phone meets the compatibility requirements. NetHunter supports devices running Android 7 or newer, although it is recommended to use versions before Android 12 due to processing power limitations in the latter.

Installing NetHunter on Unrooted Android Phones

For users who prefer not to root their devices, NetHunter offers a rootless version.

1. Install Termux on Your Phone

Termux is a terminal emulator and Linux environment app that serves as the container for NetHunter. Download and install Termux from the Google Play Store or F-Droid.

2. Upgrade Repositories

Open Termux and run the following commands to upgrade the repositories:

pkg update
pkg upgrade

3. Install NetHunter

Install the necessary packages and download the NetHunter installer:

pkg install wget
wget -q -O - https://kali.org/nethunter/installer/nethunter.sh | sh

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

4. Start Kali NetHunter

Once installed, you can start NetHunter by running:

nethunter

This will launch the NetHunter environment within Termux.

5. Install NetHunter KeX

NetHunter KeX provides a desktop experience for NetHunter. To install it:

Download and install the NetHunter Store app from the NetHunter website.
Launch the app store, search for NetHunter KeX, and install it.
After installation, launch NetHunter KeX and enter the required credentials to connect.

Using Kali Linux NetHunter on Android

NetHunter offers various input modes to enhance usability:

Direct Swipe Pan: Control the mouse directly by touching the screen.
Direct Hold Pan: Long tap to start pan mode, and tap to click.
Simulated Touchpad: Convert your screen into a simulated touchpad.
Single Hand: Similar to Direct and Swap Pan modes, with additional menu options.

Installing NetHunter on Rooted Android Phones

For those who are comfortable with rooting their devices, here are the steps:

1. Enable Developer Mode

Go to Settings > About and tap on the Build number seven times to enable developer mode. Then, go back to the main settings and enable Advanced Reboot and Android Debugging in the Developer options section.

2. Unlock and Root Your Device

Unlock your device and install a custom recovery like TWRP. Root your device using Magisk. These steps vary by device and Android version, so refer to specific guides for your device.

3. Flash Universal DM-Verity & ForceEncrypt Disabler

For Android 9 and above, flash the Universal DM-Verity, ForceEncrypt Disabler to avoid issues with encrypted data partitions.

4. Install NetHunter

Download the NetHunter image from the official website and transfer it to your device. Reboot into recovery mode and flash the NetHunter zip file. After flashing, reboot and launch the NetHunter app to complete the setup.

5. Update NetHunter App

For Android 10 and above, update the NetHunter app from the NetHunter Store to work around storage restrictions.

Troubleshooting and Additional Tips

Avoid Signal 9 Issue on Android 12+: If you encounter issues on Android 12+, ensure you follow specific steps to avoid the Signal 9 issue, such as using platform tools from the Android developer website.
Backup Your Data: Always back up your data before making significant changes to your device, especially when rooting or flashing new ROMs.
Check Device Compatibility: Verify that your device is supported by checking the official NetHunter documentation or gitlab live reports.

By following these steps, you can successfully install Kali Linux NetHunter on your Android phone, whether rooted or unrooted, and leverage its powerful penetration testing tools.