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Anchor

Connect Android and Linux for messages, files, notifications, camera, and more.
New in version 1.0.1
Anchor 1.0.1 improves Android release packaging.

• Enabled R8 optimization for release builds
• Fixed protocol handling when R8 is enabled
• Removed unsupported 32-bit x86 libraries
• Improved compatibility with F-Droid packaging requirements
Anchor connects your Android phone or tablet directly to your Linux desktop.

Use the devices you already own together:

• Read SMS and MMS conversations on your desktop and send replies you initiate
• Mirror phone notifications and control active media
• Sync clipboard content and transfer files
• Use your phone camera as a Linux webcam
• Extend or view your desktop display on Android
• Control your desktop with remote touch and keyboard input

Private by design

Anchor has no account, advertising, behavioral analytics, or cloud storage for your personal content. Devices pair using certificate fingerprints. Control messages, camera video, and display video travel directly between paired devices over mutually authenticated, certificate-pinned TLS.

You stay in control

Sensitive features are optional. Anchor explains SMS/MMS, contacts, camera, and notification access before you enable them. You can exclude individual notification apps, unpair desktops, clear local histories, and delete the desktop's local message cache.

Linux companion required

Most features require the free, open-source Anchor desktop app on a compatible Linux system. Both devices generally need to be able to reach each other on the same local network. Hardware and desktop-environment support varies; see anchor-software.org for downloads and compatibility information.

Versions

Although APK downloads are available below to give you the choice, you should be aware that by installing that way you will not receive update notifications and it's a less secure way to download. We recommend that you install the F-Droid client and use that.

Download F-Droid
  • Version 1.0.1 (101) suggested Added on Oct 27, 2026

    arm64-v8a armeabi-v7a x86_64

    This version requires Android 11 or newer.

    It is built and signed by F-Droid, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.

    Permissions
    • view network connections
      Allows the app to view information about network connections such as which networks exist and are connected.
    • view Wi-Fi connections
      Allows the app to view information about Wi-Fi networking, such as whether Wi-Fi is enabled and name of connected Wi-Fi devices.
    • take pictures and videos
      This app can take pictures and record videos using the camera while the app is in use.
    • change network connectivity
      Allows the app to change the state of network connectivity.
    • allow Wi-Fi Multicast reception
      Allows the app to receive packets sent to all devices on a Wi-Fi network using multicast addresses, not just your phone. It uses more power than the non-multicast mode.
    • connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
      Allows the app to connect to and disconnect from Wi-Fi access points and to make changes to device configuration for Wi-Fi networks.
    • run foreground service
      Allows the app to make use of foreground services.
    • run foreground service with the type "connectedDevice"
      Allows the app to make use of foreground services with the type "connectedDevice"
    • have full network access
      Allows the app to create network sockets and use custom network protocols. The browser and other applications provide means to send data to the internet, so this permission is not required to send data to the internet.
    • show notifications
      Allows the app to show notifications
    • read your contacts
      Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone. Apps will also have access to the accounts on your phone that have created contacts. This may include accounts created by apps you have installed. This permission allows apps to save your contact data, and malicious apps may share contact data without your knowledge.
    • read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
      This app can read all SMS (text) messages stored on your phone.
    • send and view SMS messages
      Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.
    • control vibration
      Allows the app to control the vibrator.
    • com.anchor.software.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION

    Download APK 16 MiB PGP Signature | Build Log

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