Do you want to run OpenClaw AI Agent directly on an Android phone? In this guide, I will show you how to install and run OpenClaw on Android without root or a PC.
OpenClaw will run inside an Ubuntu environment using Termux. We will connect it with Google Gemini and Telegram so that you can communicate with the AI agent directly from your phone.
Once everything is configured, OpenClaw can also use tools and perform tasks inside its local environment, such as creating and modifying files and searching the web.
1. Install Termux on Android
First, install Termux on your Android phone.
Once Termux is installed, open it and update all available packages.
2. Install Ubuntu Using PRoot Distro
Next, install PRoot Distro. It allows us to run Ubuntu inside Termux without rooting the Android phone.
Now install Ubuntu.
The Ubuntu environment will now be downloaded and extracted. This process may take a few minutes.
Once Ubuntu has been installed, log in to it.
You should now see the Ubuntu command line. Even though it shows root@localhost, your Android phone itself is not rooted. This is only the Ubuntu environment running inside Termux.
3. Update Ubuntu
Now update all available Ubuntu packages.
4. Install Node.js 26
OpenClaw requires Node.js. First, install the required packages.
Now add the Node.js 26 repository.
Install Node.js.
Check the installed Node.js version.
Also check the npm version.
If both commands display version numbers, Node.js and npm are ready.
5. Install OpenClaw
Now install the latest version of OpenClaw.
The installation may take a few minutes. Once it finishes, check the OpenClaw version.
If the version number appears, OpenClaw has been installed successfully.
6. Create a Gemini API Key
Next, we need a Gemini API key. OpenClaw will use this key to connect with the Google Gemini AI model.
Create a Gemini API key and copy it. We will use it in the next steps.
7. Create a Telegram Bot
We also need a Telegram bot so that we can communicate with OpenClaw.
Send this command to BotFather.
Enter any name for your bot. Then choose a username. The username must end with bot.
Once the bot is created, BotFather will give you a bot token. Copy this token because we will need it during OpenClaw setup.
8. Configure OpenClaw
Return to Termux and start the OpenClaw setup.
OpenClaw Setup Options
On the security screen, select Yes.
For Setup mode, select QuickStart.
Select Google as the model provider.
For authentication, select Google Gemini API key.
Paste your Gemini API key.
When OpenClaw asks you to select a default model, choose Enter model manually.
Enter:
For the communication channel, select Telegram (Bot API).
Select Enter Telegram bot token and paste the token you copied from BotFather.
When OpenClaw asks for a web search provider, select DuckDuckGo Search.
Continue through the remaining setup options.
9. Exit the OpenClaw Terminal Interface
Once setup is complete, OpenClaw may automatically open its terminal interface.
Press Ctrl + C. If it asks you to press Ctrl+C again, press Ctrl + C one more time.
You should now return to the Ubuntu command line.
10. Start the OpenClaw Gateway
Now start the OpenClaw Gateway.
The Gateway connects our local OpenClaw agent with Telegram.
11. Pair Telegram With OpenClaw
Open the Telegram bot you created earlier using this Telegram link. OpenClaw will display a pairing code and pairing command.
Do not close the Gateway. Open a second Termux session and enter Ubuntu again.
Now approve your Telegram account using the pairing code shown in Telegram.
Replace YOUR_CODE with the actual pairing code shown by your Telegram bot.
12. Set the Default Model
Return to Telegram and send:
This makes sure Telegram uses the default Gemini model that we configured.
Now send:
OpenClaw should now respond directly through Telegram.
13. Give Your AI Agent a Name
You can optionally give your OpenClaw agent a name and tell it how you want it to respond.
14. Create a File With OpenClaw
Now let us test one of OpenClaw’s agent capabilities.
Send this prompt through Telegram:
Once OpenClaw confirms that the file has been created, return to the second Termux session.
Check the OpenClaw workspace.
You should see demo.txt inside the workspace.
Now read the file.
You should see:
This confirms that the file was actually created inside the local OpenClaw workspace on the Android phone.
15. Modify a File With OpenClaw
Now return to Telegram and ask OpenClaw to modify the existing file.
Once OpenClaw finishes, return to Termux and check the file again.
You should now see both the original text and the new text added by OpenClaw.
This shows that OpenClaw can create and modify files inside its local workspace instead of only replying with text like a normal chatbot.
16. Test OpenClaw Web Search
Finally, let us test OpenClaw’s web search capability.
Return to Telegram and send:
OpenClaw will search the web and return the relevant information directly inside Telegram.
This demonstrates that the agent can use web search to find current information and provide the source.
17. Start OpenClaw Again Later
You do not need to repeat the complete installation every time you want to use OpenClaw.
Open Termux and enter Ubuntu.
Then start the OpenClaw Gateway.
Keep this Termux session running while you use the Telegram bot.
To stop OpenClaw, return to the Gateway session and press Ctrl + C.
Conclusion
That is how you can install and run OpenClaw AI Agent directly on an Android phone without root or a PC.
With this setup, OpenClaw runs inside Ubuntu through Termux, uses Google Gemini as the AI model, and communicates with you through Telegram.
OpenClaw can also perform agent tasks inside its local environment, including creating and modifying files and using web search.
After completing the initial setup, you only need to enter Ubuntu and start the OpenClaw Gateway whenever you want to use your Telegram bot again.
