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Turn an Old Android Into a 24/7 AI Agent (OpenClaw Setup Guide) This guide shows you how to run OpenClaw locally on an Android phone using Termux and Ubuntu. With this setup, your old smartphone can function as a 24/7 AI employee without needing a PC or cloud server. The process is lightweight, fully local, and designed for builders who want to …
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openclaw-setup-guide.md

Turn Your Old Android Into a 24/7 AI Employee

OpenClaw Setup Guide for Android (Termux)

Author: Ali Solanki

Before starting, watch this full walkthrough video by Ali Solanki:

▶ https://youtu.be/hM5LHJByJZk
“I Turned an Old Android into a 24/7 AI Employee (OpenClaw)”

This guide follows the exact process demonstrated by Ali, with clear steps you can execute directly on your Android device.

What You’re Building

By the end of this guide, your Android phone will:

  • Run OpenClaw locally
  • Act as a 24/7 AI agent
  • Be controllable from a web dashboard
  • Operate without a PC or cloud server

Requirements

Make sure you have:

  • Android phone (Android 10 or above recommended)
  • Stable internet connection
  • Gemini API key (from Google AI Studio)
  • Termux installed from F-Droid (not Play Store)

Step 1: Install Termux

  1. Go to F-Droid.org
  2. Download and install F-Droid
  3. Search for Termux
  4. Install Termux
  5. Open the Termux app

Step 2: Update Packages

Inside Termux, run:

pkg update && pkg upgrade -y

Then install proot-distro:

pkg install proot-distro -y

Step 3: Install Ubuntu Inside Termux

Install Ubuntu:

proot-distro install ubuntu

Enter the Ubuntu environment:

proot-distro login ubuntu

Step 4: Install Core Dependencies

Inside the Ubuntu shell, run:

apt update && apt upgrade -y apt install curl git build-essential -y

Step 5: Install Node.js (Required for OpenClaw)

Install Node.js version 22:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | bash - apt install -y nodejs

Verify installation:

node -v npm -v

Step 6: Install OpenClaw

Run:

npm install -g openclaw@latest

After installation, check:

openclaw --version

Step 7: Fix Android Network Interface Error

Create the hijack script:

cat < /root/hijack.js const os = require('os'); os.networkInterfaces = () => ({}); EOF

Make it load automatically:

echo 'export NODE_OPTIONS="-r /root/hijack.js"' >> ~/.bashrc source ~/.bashrc

Step 8: Run OpenClaw Setup Wizard

Start onboarding:

openclaw onboard

When prompted for Gateway Bind, select:

127.0.0.1 (Loopback)

Step 9: Launch the OpenClaw Gateway

Start the agent:

openclaw gateway --verbose

Step 10: Access the Web Dashboard

Open your mobile browser and go to:

http://127.0.0.1:18789

Get your gateway token:

openclaw config get gateway.auth.token

Paste the token into the dashboard login screen.

Useful Agent Commands

/status

Check agent health.

/think high

Enable deep reasoning mode.

/reset

Clear memory and restart the session.

Stability Tips

Prevent Termux from Sleeping

termux-wake-lock

Disable Battery Optimization

  1. Go to Android Settings
  2. Apps → Termux
  3. Battery
  4. Disable optimization

Keep Device Plugged In

For true 24/7 operation, keep the phone connected to power.

Security Tips

  • Never share your API keys publicly
  • Do not share your gateway token
  • Use a separate Google account for AI keys if possible

What You Can Do Next

  • Automate research tasks
  • Build a personal AI assistant
  • Connect it to messaging apps
  • Use it as a mobile automation node

Final Note

If you followed each step correctly, your Android device is now running a fully functional AI agent locally.

Watch the full walkthrough again:

https://youtu.be/hM5LHJByJZk

@Vamsiindugu
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Vamsiindugu commented Feb 23, 2026

Turn Your Old Android Into a 24/7 AI Employee

OpenClaw Setup Guide for Android (Termux)

Author: Ali Solanki

Before starting, watch this full walkthrough video by Ali Solanki:

▶ https://youtu.be/hM5LHJByJZk

“I Turned an Old Android into a 24/7 AI Employee (OpenClaw)”

This guide follows the exact process demonstrated by Ali, with clear steps you can execute directly on your Android device.

What You’re Building

By the end of this guide, your Android phone will:

  • Run OpenClaw locally
  • Act as a 24/7 AI agent
  • Be controllable from a web dashboard
  • Operate without a PC or cloud server

Requirements

Make sure you have:

  • Android phone (Android 10 or above recommended)
  • Stable internet connection
  • Gemini API key (from Google AI Studio)
  • Termux installed from F-Droid (not Play Store)

Step 1: Install Termux

  1. Go to F-Droid.org
  2. Download and install F-Droid
  3. Search for Termux
  4. Install Termux
  5. Open the Termux app

Step 2: Update Packages

Inside Termux, run:

  • pkg update && pkg upgrade -y

Then install proot-distro:

  • pkg install proot-distro -y

Step 3: Install Ubuntu Inside Termux

Install Ubuntu:

  • proot-distro install ubuntu

Enter the Ubuntu environment:

  • proot-distro login ubuntu

Step 4: Install Core Dependencies

Inside the Ubuntu shell, run:

  • apt update && apt upgrade -y

  • apt install curl git build-essential -y

Step 5: Install Node.js (Required for OpenClaw)

Install Node.js version 22:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | bash -
  • apt install -y nodejs

Verify installation:

  • node -v
  • npm -v

Step 6: Install OpenClaw

Run:

 npm install -g openclaw@latest --ignore-scripts

or

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

After installation, check:

  • openclaw --version

Step 7: Fix Android Network Interface Error

Create the hijack script:

cat <<EOF > /root/hijack.js
const os = require('os');
os.networkInterfaces = () => ({});
EOF

Make it load automatically:

echo 'export NODE_OPTIONS="-r /root/hijack.js"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Step 8: Run OpenClaw Setup Wizard

Start onboarding:

  • openclaw onboard

When prompted for Gateway Bind, select:

  • 127.0.0.1 (Loopback)

Step 9: Launch the OpenClaw Gateway

Start the agent:

  • openclaw gateway --verbose

Step 10: Access the Web Dashboard

Open your mobile browser and go to:

Get your gateway token:

  • openclaw config get gateway.auth.token

Paste the token into the dashboard login screen.

Useful Agent Commands

  • /status

Check agent health.

  • /think high

Enable deep reasoning mode.

  • /reset

Clear memory and restart the session.

Stability Tips

Prevent Termux from Sleeping

  • termux-wake-lock

Disable Battery Optimization

  1. Go to Android Settings
  2. Apps → Termux
  3. Battery
  4. Disable optimization

Keep Device Plugged In

For true 24/7 operation, keep the phone connected to power.

Security Tips

  • Never share your API keys publicly
  • Do not share your gateway token
  • Use a separate Google account for AI keys if possible

What You Can Do Next

  • Automate research tasks
  • Build a personal AI assistant
  • Connect it to messaging apps
  • Use it as a mobile automation node

Final Note

If you followed each step correctly, your Android device is now running a fully functional AI agent locally.

Watch the full walkthrough again:

https://youtu.be/hM5LHJByJZk

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