Where Does Android Linux Terminal Store VM Data?
Android Linux Terminal runs Debian in a virtualization VM. Enable it in Developer options; the VM disk lives in the Terminal app private storage.
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The Linux Terminal is a real Debian virtual machine, not a toy shell. Android Virtualization Framework boots the guest with its own kernel, and the Terminal app talks to it over a local service. First launch downloads a Debian image of several hundred megabytes, so use WiFi.
Storage ballooning on current releases grows and shrinks the VM disk with demand, replacing the old fixed slider. Power users can swap in custom images by placing them under the linux folder on shared storage and resetting the VM from the app recovery menu. Keep SSH keys inside the VM home directory rather than the shared mount, which any storage-holding app can read.
Where Android Linux Terminal stores this, by platform
/data/data/com.android.virtualization.terminal/
VM disk and state in private app storage; root needed to browse. Custom images go in shared storage under linux/images.tar.gz. Exchange files with the guest through Downloads, visible at /mnt/shared.
Frequently asked questions
How do I enable the Linux Terminal?
Enable Developer options, then flip the Linux development environment switch. A Terminal app appears in the launcher and downloads the Debian image over WiFi on first start. Pixel 6 and later on recent Android carry it; other makers vary.
How do I share files with the VM?
Drop them in the Android Downloads folder. The VM sees host files only through the shared mount at /mnt/shared, which mirrors Downloads. Other folders stay invisible by design, even though the app holds broad storage permission.
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