How to run Android OS on your iPhone, with and without a PC

The Project

We’re all crazy about the Google Android OS, and the Apple iPhone has become a dream gadget for just everyone. Because the iOS is overshadowed by the fame Android OS has gathered, we and yes the guys in the tech fraternity, have been interested in devising ways to run the Google’s operating system on Apple’s fantasy. Therefore we found ways on how we can install Android OS on the iPhone. There are occasion where the Android platform has been ported to WinMob device such as the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 and the Nokia N900 Meamo, but porting Android on iPhone was daunting, here the efforts came in late, but the outcome is real, the iPhone can now be hacked to run Android.

android on iphone

The users can dual boat and run Android 1.6 donut on the iPhone, it runs fantastic on the iPhone 2G therefore a pre-build image of Android for iPhone 2G is available for download. Besides merely merging the iPhone and the Android OS, this hack allows the users to access all the apps available for Android on the iPhone, plus who knows, if Adobe manages to put flash in here, then iPhone users could ditch Steve’s stubbornness towards Flash. This is why, for those who want to try and the others alike, it’s wise to know how the Android OS can run on the iPhone.

Difficulty Level

Most of the how to projects that seem feasible come with a modest amount of complexity, the ask to run Android on iPhone follows suit. Given the fact that the project can be carried out in two ways – with a PC or without a PC — there are different levels of difficulty you’ll face in either case. Installing Android on iPhone with the help of a PC, the user’s helped by iPhoDroid, which cuts the level of difficulty and makes the project easy to carry out. Installing Android on iPhone without the help of a PC, however, requires Bootlace 2.1, which lets you install Android on your jailbroken iPhone without any PC or Mac with a pretty moderate level of difficulty.

Time Required

If you’re confident in your approach and are following the instructions as required, whether you’re installing with the help of a PC or Mac or without them, the project is just worth a few minutes. The Android OS can be installed on the iPhone in just a few minutes' time, and there you’re good to enjoy the dual boot.

Estimated Cost

Probably the easiest way to install Android OS on an iPhone 2G or 3G is using iPhoDroid, all you’ll need for this is the OS and a Linux PC, which shouldn’t be much of an investment to meet. If installing without the use of PC however you would require a jailbroken iPhone, jailbroken using redsn0w, PwnageTool or blackra1n. Besides, you’ll require Bootlace 2.1 which is available for free download, so there’s no real investment in this process too.

Resources Required

If you are using a PC to install Android OS on iPhone you’ll require:

1. A PC with Linux operating system.

2. A jailbroken iPhone 2G or 3G with OS 3.1.2.

3. iPhoDroid

If you are installing Android OS on iPhone without the PC you’ll require:

1. Bootlace 2.1 software.

2. A jailbroken iPhone 2G or 3G on OS 3.1.2.

3. Jailbreaking tools which are supported by Bootlace 2.1 are: PwnageTool, Redsn0w, and Blackra1n.

Instructions

If you are using a PC to install Android OS on iPhone the process is simple. By following the instructions below get your iPhone in a dual boot combination.

Step 1: Obtain a jailbroken iPhone 2G or 3G running firmware 3.1.2, using either redsn0w, PwnageTool or blackra1n and not sprint, in case you have jailbroken iPhone running firmware 3.1.3, you’ll have to downgrade back to OS 3.1.2 for the project.

Step 2: Install MacFuse and iPhoDroid software.

Step 3: Connect the iPhone (installed with OpenSSH, found here) to a Wi-Fi network

Step 4: Now, run iPhoDroid and follow the onscreen instructions, when asked, install the iBoot and there in a few minutes you’ll have an iPhone running both the iOS and Google Android.

If you are installing Android OS on iPhone without a PC then follow these instructions.

Step 1: Get a jailbreak iPhone 2G or 3G running firmware 3.1.2, using redsn0w, PwnageTool or blackra1n. The run Cydia from your iPhone’s springboard and add this repository to Cydia: http://repo.neonkoala.co.uk/

Step 2: Install the package Bootlace

Step 3: Fire up the application from the homescreen and install OpeniBoot

Step 4: Now tap on the iDroid tab and install iDroid.

Step 5: Now, tap on the QuickBoot tab in the bottom row, the iPhone will then restart and boot into Android. Hurray! You’ll now have Android 2.2.1 Froyo running your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the versions of the iPhone the project supports?

A. Presently the Bootlace 2.1 is only compatible with the iPhones 2G or 3G running iOS 3.1.2, 3.1.3 in the former case and iOS 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 4.0, 4.0.1, 4.0.2 and 4.1 in the latter case.

Q. What are the tools required?

A. Jailbroken iPhone 2G or 3G, jailbroken using PwnageTool, Redsn0w, Blackra1n

Q. Is iPhone4 supported by the project?

A. For now the available software to run Android on the iPhone only support iPhone 2G or iPhone 3G.

Quick Tips

Download the required software from the free sites. And follow the steps in the correct manner for easy and hassle free project completion.

Things to watch out for

Android on iPhone will do everything you can expect from a smartphone, but being a well engineered device, it isn’t wise to tinker uselessly with the iPhone. So if you’re game at doing it, then make sure you’re following the right steps and are doing it as the instructions have it, else you’ll end up crashing the iOS. Besides this the performance issue will play on the iPhone making it slower. Therefore, if something goes wrong or you want the iPhone back in the normal iOS you have the restore option, this using the DFU Mode.