Android includes a Linux Terminal that runs a full Linux system in a virtual machine. It works on Google Pixel phones and on Samsung's Exynos models, such as the Galaxy S26 and S26+. Samsung has added GUI app support and full shared storage access to it in One UI 8.5.

Snapdragon Galaxy phones, including the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra, cannot use it. On my S26 Ultra, updated to One UI 9, the system's own virtualization tool reports: "Only protected VMs are supported." The Linux Terminal needs non-protected VMs, and they are not enabled on these phones.

The top model in the S26 series has less developer capability than the cheaper Exynos models in the same series.

In October 2025 Qualcomm said it is "poised to support emerging requirements including non-secure use cases like the Linux Terminal, should market demand arise." This petition is that demand.

I ask Qualcomm and Samsung to:

1. Enable non-protected virtual machines on current Snapdragon Galaxy phones, starting with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, through a firmware update.

2. Ship the Linux Terminal on all future Snapdragon Galaxy phones, the same as on Exynos models.

3. Publicly say whether and when this will happen.

If you want a real Linux environment on your Galaxy phone, please sign.