> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://aether.baimoqilin.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installing Aether on Android

> Download and install Aether on your Android 8.0+ device. Learn about build flavors, required permissions, and optional integrations.

Aether is distributed as an APK file and is not available on the Google Play Store. Installation is manual — you download the APK directly from GitHub and install it yourself. This page walks you through everything you need to know.

## Requirements

| Requirement             | Detail                                      |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Android version**     | Android 8.0 (API 26) or higher              |
| **Architecture**        | arm64-v8a only                              |
| **Free storage**        | \~200 MB (app binary + Alpine Linux rootfs) |
| **Internet connection** | Required for LLM API calls                  |

## Download

Download the latest APK from the [Aether GitHub Releases page](https://github.com/Zhou-Shilin/Aether/releases).

Aether ships two build flavors:

* **Release** — Stable builds recommended for everyday use. Published on the Releases page as versioned tags.
* **Nightly** — Built automatically from the `main` branch. Contains the latest features and fixes but may be less stable. Download nightly builds from [nightly.link](https://nightly.link/Zhou-Shilin/Aether/workflows/build-nightly-apk.yml/main/Aether-nightly.zip). Nightly builds use different flavor resources (app name, icon) to distinguish them from the stable release.

## Install steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Allow installation from unknown sources">
    Go to **Settings → Apps → Special app access → Install unknown apps**. Find your browser or file manager in the list and enable **Allow from this source**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the downloaded APK">
    Locate the APK file in your Downloads folder (or wherever your browser saved it) and tap it to open the installer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tap Install">
    Tap **Install** on the Android installer prompt and wait for the installation to complete. The process typically takes a few seconds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Aether and complete onboarding">
    Tap **Open** once installation finishes (or find Aether in your app drawer). Follow the onboarding flow to grant permissions and configure your first LLM provider.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Permissions

Aether requests the following permissions during onboarding or at runtime:

| Permission                               | Purpose                                                                                                  |
| ---------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `INTERNET`                               | Allows Aether to reach LLM provider API endpoints                                                        |
| `POST_NOTIFICATIONS`                     | Sends notifications when agent tasks complete or require your attention                                  |
| `FOREGROUND_SERVICE`                     | Keeps agent tasks running in the background while you use other apps                                     |
| `FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC`           | Classifies the foreground service as a data-sync task (required by Android for background execution)     |
| `SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM`                   | Enables scheduled and time-triggered agent tasks                                                         |
| `USE_EXACT_ALARM`                        | Allows scheduling exact alarms on devices that restrict `SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM`                           |
| `RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`                 | Reschedules pending tasks automatically after your device restarts                                       |
| `REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES`               | Allows Aether to prompt you to install extension packages                                                |
| `com.termux.permission.RUN_COMMAND`      | **Optional.** Required to run commands inside a Termux session for Android shell integration             |
| `moe.shizuku.manager.permission.API_V23` | **Optional.** Required for Shizuku integration, which enables privileged system operations in Agent Mode |

Aether requests only what it needs. Optional permissions are never requested unless you enable the corresponding integration.

## Optional integrations

### Termux

[Termux](https://termux.dev/) is a terminal emulator and Linux environment for Android. When installed alongside Aether, it allows the agent to run commands directly in a Termux session — useful for tasks that benefit from a persistent shell environment or Termux packages.

Install Termux from [F-Droid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.termux/) (recommended) or the [Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.termux).

### Shizuku

[Shizuku](https://shizuku.rikka.app/) lets apps use Android system APIs with elevated privileges without requiring a fully rooted device. Enabling Shizuku integration in Aether unlocks Agent Mode's privileged device automation capabilities — such as installing packages, modifying system settings, and performing other operations that normally require root.

Install Shizuku from the [Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=moe.shizuku.privileged.api) or [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/RikkaApps/Shizuku/releases).

<Warning>
  Aether does **not** request any storage permissions (`READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`, `WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`, or `MANAGE_ALL_FILES`). All app data — including your API keys, conversation history, and extension files — is stored exclusively within Aether's private app directory and is never accessible to other apps.
</Warning>