Kali Linux is one of the best Linux Distro that has its own release for Android devices (Nethunter Rootless) even without having root access. By default it comes with xfce Desktop Environment, so In this blog we see how we can install GNOME Desktop Environment on it and it works fine.
As GNOME requires systemd to work but gnome-flashback can be used which does not require systemd and work fine.
Prerequisite:
Kali Linux installed, click here if you don't have it already.
Installation:
First login to your distro, Here I am using Nethunter Rootless nano version which doesn't have any DE installed, so login to it
nh
Now install GNOME Desktop
sudo apt install gnome-session-flashback gnome-terminal dbus-x11
Now open a new session in Termux (swipe left and click on new session) and install VNCserver
pkg install x11-repo -y && pkg install tigervnc xorg-xhost -y
Start VNCserver
vncserver -geometry 1280x720 -listen tcp :1 && DISPLAY=:1 xhost +
Now again go to Nethunter session and create a file to start GNOME desktop
nano /usr/local/bin/vncstart
Paste following in it and save the file
#!/bin/sh
rm -rf /run/dbus/pid
dbus-daemon --system
dbus-launch
DISPLAY=:1 $HOME/.vnc/xstartup
Give executable permission
chmod +x /usr/local/bin/vncstart
Now create xstartup file for VNC
mkdir $HOME/.vnc && nano $HOME/.vnc/xstartup
paste following in it and save it
#!/bin/sh
export XKL_XMODMAP_DISABLE=1
unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -solid grey
gnome-panel &
metacity &
gnome-flashback &
Give executable permission
chmod +x $HOME/.vnc/xstartup
Start GNOME desktop
vncstart
Now open VNC viewer and create a connection with localhost:1 and connect to it.