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 …

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.

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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

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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)

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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

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Step 2: Update Packages

Inside Termux, run:

pkg update && pkg upgrade -y

Then install proot-distro:

pkg install proot-distro -y

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Step 3: Install Ubuntu Inside Termux

Install Ubuntu:

proot-distro install ubuntu

Enter the Ubuntu environment:

proot-distro login ubuntu

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Step 4: Install Core Dependencies

Inside the Ubuntu shell, run:

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

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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

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Step 6: Install OpenClaw

Run:

npm install -g openclaw@latest

After installation, check:

openclaw --version

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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

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Step 8: Run OpenClaw Setup Wizard

Start onboarding:

openclaw onboard

When prompted for Gateway Bind, select:

127.0.0.1 (Loopback)

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Step 9: Launch the OpenClaw Gateway

Start the agent:

openclaw gateway --verbose

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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.

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Useful Agent Commands

/status

Check agent health.

/think high

Enable deep reasoning mode.

/reset

Clear memory and restart the session.

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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.

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Security Tips

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

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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

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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