Kali NetHunter is one of the most powerful mobile penetration testing platforms. Built on top of Kali Linux, it transforms your Android device into a portable hacking powerhouse, offering a range of tools for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts. Traditionally, we use NetHunter through a mobile interface, but what if you could get a full desktop experience, complete with a mouse pointer, keyboard support, and multi-window functionality, all without root? That’s where NOMone Desktop comes into play.
In this blog, I’ll show you how to set up a Kali NetHunter desktop experience on your Android device using NOMone Desktop. Plus, we’ll discuss a few important setup tweaks and limitations you should know about.
What is NOMone Desktop?
NOMone Desktop is an Android application that transforms your device into a desktop-like environment using your existing Android. It functions as a lightweight VNC server, allowing your device to display a Linux desktop interface locally. With NOMone Desktop, you can open multiple windows, resize them, and multitask just like you would on a standard Linux system.
The cool part? You don’t need to root your device. NOMone Desktop essentially builds a GUI layer, allowing your Kali NetHunter or chroot environment to feel more like a real desktop operating system.
However, NOMone Desktop offers a trial version limited to 360 minutes (6 hours) of usage time, after which you would need to reset the session or consider purchasing the full version.
How to Install and Set Up NOMone Desktop with Kali NetHunter
Let's dive into the step-by-step guide to set up a desktop experience on your Android.
Step 1: Install Nomone Deskop Apk
You can download Nomone Desktop from the Google Play Store as a normal application:
- Download Nomone Desktop
- Open the application and click on "Phantom Process Killing" to stop the killing process by following the instructions given.
- Now download Linux by clicking on the "Linux" logo; it may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection speed.
- Give storage access (Optional)
Limitations of NOMone Desktop
Although NOMone Desktop is a very handy tool, it does come with a few limitations:
- Trial Version Restriction: The free version allows only 360 minutes (6 hours) of total desktop session time. After that, you need to restart or purchase the full version to continue using it without interruptions.
- Performance Limitations: Since it’s running over Android’s regular environment without root access, there might be slight input lag or slowdowns if you open too many windows or heavy applications.
- No Full Linux Kernel Control: You are still limited by Android’s underlying kernel; hence, some deep networking tools might not work as flawlessly as they do on a real PC.
- Battery Drain: Running a full Linux environment alongside Android consumes a lot of battery. Always keep a charger handy!
Final Thoughts
Using Kali NetHunter in combination with NOMone Desktop is a game-changer for mobile penetration testers who want the freedom of a Linux desktop in their pockets. Despite the trial limitation, the smoothness and flexibility NOMone Desktop offers make it worth exploring, especially if you often work on the go.
With just a few tweaks like disabling Phantom Process Killing and adjusting battery optimization, you can unlock a full-fledged ethical hacking workstation from the palm of your hand!
If you want to gain hands-on experience in ethical hacking based on real hacking events, start accessing our exclusive content today! Register yourself now.