An open-source Android app called Buddy can run Claude Code, Codex, or OpenCode directly on a smartphone and let the AI interact with other apps by reading the screen, tapping buttons, typing, and scrolling.
Buddy 2.1 works through a floating chat bubble and does not require a PC, root access, ADB, or an API key. According to the project’s GitHub documentation, everything runs locally inside the Android app apart from requests sent to the selected AI provider.
Free and Open Source
Buddy 2.1 is released under the Apache 2.0 license and is available free through GitHub Releases.
There are no paid Buddy tiers or dedicated Buddy servers.
The app is currently considered early-stage software and has primarily been tested on a OnePlus 12 running Android 16, meaning compatibility and battery-management behavior may differ on other Android devices.
It is also not affiliated with Anthropic or OpenAI.
Claude Code Runs Directly on the Phone
Buddy creates a small Alpine Linux environment using proot inside its own app storage.
Claude Code, Codex, or OpenCode can then be installed into that environment and run directly on the smartphone.
Users can therefore use an existing Claude Pro or Max subscription with Claude Code or a ChatGPT plan with Codex, rather than paying separately for API usage.
OpenCode is also supported and can work with free models without requiring an account. The app requires a 64-bit phone running Android 11 or newer.
Buddy 2.1: an open-source Android app that lets Claude Code use your phone, on your own subscription. I built it with Claude Code, on the phone itself
byu/3amae404 inClaudeAI
AI Can Tap, Type and Scroll Through Apps
Buddy uses Android’s accessibility system to expose a set of phone-control tools through a local MCP server.
Available actions include:
- Reading what is displayed on screen
- Tapping and long-pressing
- Typing text
- Scrolling and swiping
- Opening apps and URLs
- Taking screenshots
- Installing APKs
- Waiting for interface changes
The AI agent calls these tools when completing a request.
A user could, for example, ask Buddy to open an app, search for something, fill in information, or navigate through several screens.
Sensitive Actions Require Approval
Buddy includes an approval system for actions that could have real consequences.
The app can require confirmation before an agent sends a message, posts content, buys something, deletes data, or changes settings.
Version 2.1 also introduces per-app safety levels.
Trust leaves approval decisions largely to the agent, while Hard makes Buddy itself detect actions such as Send, Pay, and Delete and require user confirmation.
A Smart mode can use a separate Claude Code or Codex session to review taps against the user’s original request and current screen.
Importantly, Buddy says agents cannot interact with the app’s own approval cards or settings, preventing them from approving their own actions.
Buddy 2.1 No Longer Needs Termux
One of the biggest changes since version 1.0 is that Termux is no longer required.
Users can now install and sign in to Claude Code, Codex, or OpenCode directly through Buddy.
The built-in Linux environment and required agent software are handled from inside the application.
Buddy can also accept new instructions while a task is running. The agent picks them up during its next step instead of restarting the entire task.
Voice Control and Spoken Responses
Buddy supports voice input using the phone’s speech recognizer, Claude Code’s dictation capability, or ChatGPT voice through Codex.
Responses can also be read aloud using either the phone’s text-to-speech system or supported ChatGPT voices.
The floating bubble remains available over other apps, allowing users to issue commands without constantly switching back to Buddy.
Builds Apps on the Phone
Buddy includes an optional developer mode.
When enabled, Claude Code, Codex, or OpenCode can create and modify files inside the app’s Linux environment.
The project includes tooling that lets the agent write Java code, compile it, sign an APK, and open Android’s installer — all directly on the phone.
According to the developer, Buddy itself was largely built in this way using Claude Code running on a OnePlus 12.
The AI reportedly wrote Java code, built and signed the APK, installed test builds, and later used Buddy’s own MCP phone controls to test the application.
Remote Claude Code Sessions Supported
Buddy can maintain a Claude Code Remote Control session inside the app.
That session can appear inside the Claude app as “Buddy” and still retain access to the phone-control tools.
The app also includes a full terminal for accessing its built-in Linux environment.
Security Risks
Giving an AI accessibility access creates significant security risks.
Buddy’s own documentation identifies prompt injection as the main concern because the agent reads text displayed by other apps.
A malicious website, message, or email could potentially contain instructions intended to manipulate the AI.
Buddy attempts to reduce this risk through system instructions, approval prompts, per-app restrictions, and separate reviewer models, but the developer explicitly warns that no model is perfect.
Users are also advised not to let Buddy enter passwords, one-time authentication codes, or payment information.
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