Pi

Side-Load Pi Onto Any Android Device

Install Pi as an ordinary app, on a device you don't want to lock down.

NOTE: This method of installing Pi is only for folks who have an Android device that does not have the Google Play Store installed on it. If your device has the Google Play Store on it, you should install Pi via its Google Play Store page or use the Device Owner method instead. This installation method assumes you have some knowledge and experience with side-loading apps onto an Android device. If you don't know what that means, then this method is almost certainly not for you.

We support this installation method only on a best-effort, as-available basis by e-mail to support@greenleaf.nu.

These steps install Pi as a normal app on devices that do not have the Google Play Store installed, for example an Amazon Fire Tablet or, if you are a bit nerdy (like us!) and would like to build one yourself, a Raspberry Pi with a screen and the KonstaKang Android image.

Pi should work on almost any hardware that runs Android 9 (SDK version 28) or higher. However, we cannot guarantee that it will run on every device. However, we will offer what support we can on a best-effort basis if you e-mail support@greenleaf.nu.

Choose a method

There are two methods you can use to install Pi on your Android device: via the device's own web browser, or using the Android Developer Tools.

Install via Device Web Browser

The simplest option if the device has its own working web browser.

  1. On the device, open this page (or scan the code below with it) and download the APK.
  2. Open the downloaded file from your notifications or Downloads app. Android will ask permission to install from this source the first time; allow it.
  3. You may see a warning that this app is unrecognized, since it did not come from a store. Choose Install anyway to continue.
  4. Open Pi once installation finishes.
QR code linking to the Pi APK download
Install via Android Developer Tools

Use this if the device has no browser of its own, or you'd rather install from a computer.

  1. On the device, go to Settings > About and tap the build number seven times to unlock Developer options.
  2. In Settings > System > Developer options, turn on USB debugging (or Wireless debugging, if the device supports it), and connect it to your computer.
  3. On your computer, download the APK, install adb if you don't already have it, and run: 
    adb install pi.apk
  4. Open Pi on the device once the install finishes.

After installing

Pi runs like any other app: nothing about the device changes until you say so. To give it more of a permanent-display feel, long-tap anywhere on the Pi screen to open its menu, go to Settings > Device, and turn on whichever of these you want:

  • Home App: start Pi automatically when the device boots or the home button is pressed.
  • Keep the Screen On: never let the screen sleep while Pi is in front.
  • Show Above the Lock Screen: draw over the lock screen and wake it, instead of waiting to be unlocked.
  • Pin the Screen: keep Pi in the foreground until you unpin it, without needing to lock the device down entirely.

Every one of these is reversible from that same screen, and none of them needs the device to be factory reset, either to turn on or to undo.

Questions? Drop us a line at support@greenleaf.nu.