Published: Tue, Jul 08, 25

Install LineageOS + Root + F-Droid + BusyBox + NetHunter

✅ Full Tutorial – Install LineageOS + Root + F-Droid + BusyBox + NetHunter (A–Z)

(Example device: Google Pixel 2 XL – adjust files for your own device!)

🔹 0. Set up your PC (Linux)

Install tools:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install android-sdk-platform-tools fastboot adb unzip curl wget

Check versions:

adb version
fastboot --version

These work on:

Ubuntu / Debian

Arch (use pacman -S android-tools)

Fedora (dnf install android-tools)

🔹 1. Download what you’ll need

LineageOS - LineageOS → Pick your device (Pixel 2 XL = taimen)
TWRP - TWRP → Download your .img file
Magisk (for root) Magisk → Download your .apk file
NikGApps (optional) NikGApps → Download your .apk file
NetHunter NetHunter → Rootless APK or full images
F-Droid APK F-Droid F-Droid APK (BusyBox)

🔹 2. Enable Developer Options & OEM Unlock

On your phone:

  • Go to Settings → About phone → Build number
  • Tap 7 times → “You’re now a developer!”
  • Go to Settings → System → Developer Options - Enable OEM Unlocking
    - Enable USB Debugging

🔹 3. Connect device and verify ADB

Plug in USB cable.

Check ADB connection:

adb devices

`If it says “unauthorized,” check the screen and approve the dialog.

🔹 4. Reboot to fastboot

adb reboot bootloader

OR hold: Power + Vol Down → bootloader screen

🔹 5. Unlock the bootloader

⚠️ This wipes your entire phone. Back up first!

- Run:

fastboot flashing unlock

On older devices:

fastboot oem unlock

Confirm on-screen prompt.

🔹 6. Flash TWRP Recovery

Assuming twrp.img is in your current folder:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

OR for A/B devices:

fastboot boot twrp.img

→ This boots TWRP without flashing, handy for Pixel.

🔹 7. Wipe data for a clean install

  • In TWRP:
    • Wipe → Advanced Wipe → select:
      • Dalvik / ART Cache
      • System
      • Data
      • Cache
    • Swipe to wipe →

🔹 8. Install LineageOS

Option A – ADB sideload:

In TWRP:
Advanced → ADB Sideload
On PC:

adb sideload lineage-xx.zip

Option B – Copy to storage:

Enable MTP in TWRP → copy file
Tap Install → select ZIP → swipe to flash

🔹 9. Install GApps (Optional)

Same as Lineage:

Flash NikGApps ZIP
OR MindTheGapps, BitGApps, etc.

🔹 10. Install Magisk (Root)

Two ways:
Method 1 – Patch boot.img

Install LineageOS first
Boot into system
Install Magisk APK
Tap → Install → Select and patch a file → pick your boot.img
Magisk generates magisk_patched.img

Back to fastboot:

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
fastboot reboot

Done!

Method 2 – Flash ZIP in TWRP

Copy Magisk ZIP to phone
TWRP → Install → flash Magisk ZIP
Reboot

(A/B devices prefer patched boot.img method.)

🔹 11. Install F-Droid

Sideload F-Droid.apk
Browse and install open-source apps

🔹 12. Install BusyBox

Search “BusyBox” in F-Droid
Install and grant root
Run install to create symlinks

🔹 13. Install NetHunter

NetHunter Rootless:

Download NetHunter Rootless APK
Install from F-Droid or sideload
Launch → download Kali minimal or full chroot
Done!

NetHunter Full:

Download NetHunter ZIPs for your device
Flash via TWRP
Install NetHunter App & Terminal APKs
Launch NetHunter → finish setup

🔹 14. Hardware for Hacking

✅ Wi-Fi dongles that work out-of-box:

Alfa AWUS036NHA → Atheros AR9271
Alfa AWUS036NH → Ralink RT3070
TP-Link TL-WN722N v1 → Atheros AR9271

✅ Bluetooth dongles:

CSR8510 A10
CSR 4.0 nano dongles

These support Bluetooth scanning, attacks, HID, etc.
Troubleshooting

No device detected → check USB cable, drivers
Bootloop → wipe caches, reflash ROM
No Wi-Fi monitor → need compatible dongle
Chroot fails → try different mirrors or manual import

Quick Links:

LineageOS Downloads LineageOS
TWRP Downloads TWRP
Magisk Releases Magisk
F-Droid F-Droid
NetHunter Official Page NetHunter
Security Tip: use F-Droid to download Tor Browser for Android by enabling the Guardian Project’s Repository Guardian Project’s
F-Droid Repo’s ADD: F-Droid