How I Installed Kali NetHunter on My Android Without Rooting (And Lived to Tell the Tale)

So, you want to turn your innocent Android phone into a pocket-sized hacking machine without voiding your warranty? Good news—Kali NetHunter can now run rootless! No kingly root permissions needed, just Termux, some patience, and a willingness to ignore a few ominous Android warnings.

Here’s how I did it (and how you can too, without summoning the wrath of Google’s security overlords).

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Disclaimer: Don’t Be a Menace

Before we begin—this is for education and awareness only. No illegal shenanigans. If you use this to hack your neighbor’s Wi-Fi to change their router name to “FBI Surveillance Van,” that’s on you.

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What You’ll Need

• An Android phone (Android 12+ works, but it’s feisty)
  • Android 12+ has a habit of murdering background processes like a overzealous task manager. We’ll tame it later.
• Termux (the magic portal to Linux on Android)
  • Get it from F-Droid or GitHub. Avoid the Play Store version—it’s ancient.

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Step 1: Summon Termux from the Digital Abyss

1. Install Termux (the APK you just downloaded).

2. Open it and type:

    pkg update -y
   

   (This is like giving Termux its morning coffee.)

3. Grant storage access (so it doesn’t live in digital solitary confinement):

    termux-setup-storage
   

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Step 2: Download the NetHunter Install Script

Time to fetch the goods:

pkg install wget -y
wget -O install-nethunter-termux https://offs.ec/2MceZWr
chmod +x install-nethunter-termux

(Translation: “Hey Termux, download this suspicious-looking script and make it executable. Trust me.”)

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Step 3: Run the Script (And Pray)

Execute the installer:

./install-nethunter-termux

• Choose your NetHunter flavor (I went with the full version because why not?).
• Wait. This takes a while. Go make tea. Or coffee. Or contemplate life.

When asked:

• “Delete downloaded rootfs?” → N (Unless you enjoy re-downloading 2GB for fun.)

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Step 4: Stop Android from Killing Your Fun

Android 12+ has a nasty habit of terminating background processes (like NetHunter). Here’s how to disable its murderous tendencies:

1. Enable Developer Options (tap “Build Number” in Settings 7 times like a secret code).

2. Find “Disable child process restrictions” and toggle it ON.

   (Now Android won’t assassinate NetHunter mid-session.)

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Step 5: Launch NetHunter Like a Hacker

• CLI Mode:

    nh
  

  (Boom. You’re in Kali Linux.)

• GUI Mode (KeX VNC):

    nh kex passwd  # Set a password
    nh kex &       # Start the GUI
  

  (Now you have a full Kali desktop on your phone. Wild.)

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Step 6: Install the NetHunter Store (For Extra Tools)

1. Download the NetHunter Store APK from their site.
2. Ignore Android’s frantic warnings (“This app is old! It might summon demons!”).
3. Install KeX Client from the store to connect to your VNC session.

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Final Boss: Connect to KeX

• Open the KeX app.
• Create a new connection:
  • Port: 5901
  • Password: (The one you set earlier)
• Connect.

Congratulations! You now have Kali NetHunter running without root, looking slick on your Android.

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What Now?

• Explore Kali tools (metasploit, aircrack-ng, etc.).
• Don’t do anything dumb.

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Final Warning

Android may occasionally side-eye you for running a full Linux distro in the background. If NetHunter gets killed, just restart it and shake your fist at the sky.

Happy (ethical) hacking! 🚀🔒