Years ago, I taught kids how to code on YouTube, assuming everyone had access to a full computer. But I was wrong. Many students messaged me privately, explaining they only had mobile phones. That’s when I realized the power of Python on Android.

At first, I shrugged it off as a fringe case, an exception. Surely, most aspiring programmers had access to laptops or desktop computers? So, I continued publishing videos as usual.

Then, my worldview shattered. One of my best students from Nigeria confided in me that he stole a mobile phone from a foreigner just so he could submit his assignments. The revelation hit me hard. It was no longer just a statistic—it was a lived reality. I had unknowingly built content for a privileged audience, ignoring the vast majority of students struggling to learn programming with only a mobile phone.

The Digital Divide

The numbers paint a stark picture. In the United States alone, around 30% of K-12 students lack access to broadband or essential computing devices. This problem is even more severe in low-income countries, where personal computers are a luxury, but mobile phones are everywhere. Python on Android offers a solution for students who only have a smartphone, allowing them to practice coding without a laptop.

Globally, smartphones have become the primary means of accessing the internet for billions of people. In lower-income households, many rely entirely on mobile phones, with 44% of adults earning below $30,000 a year in the U.S. being smartphone-dependent for internet access. If this is the situation in a wealthy country, imagine how much greater the gap is elsewhere.

It was clear: If I wanted to make programming education truly accessible, I needed to rethink my approach.

Statistical References

• 30% of K-12 students in the United States lack access to broadband or essential computing devices: According to a 2020 report by Common Sense Media, approximately 30% of American children in grades K-12 lacked access to broadband Internet and several key types of devices (computers, laptops, tablets). Wikipedia
• 44% of adults in U.S. households earning below $30,000 are smartphone-dependent for internet access: In 2019, Pew Research Center reported that 44% of adults in households with incomes below $30,000 do not have broadband access and are more likely to be smartphone-only Internet users. Wikipedia
• 70% of teachers assign homework requiring broadband access: The Federal Communications Commission’s Broadband Task Force reported that about 70% of teachers give students homework that demands access to broadband. Wikipedia
• 50% of students unable to finish homework due to lack of internet or computer access: A recent study indicates that approximately 50% of students say they are unable to finish their homework due to an inability to either connect to the Internet or, in some cases, find a computer. Wikipedia
• 27% of California’s school children lack necessary broadband for remote learning: The Public Policy Institute of California reported in 2023 that 27% of the state’s school children lack the necessary broadband to attend school remotely. Wikipedia
• 95% of U.S. public schools provided devices to students during the last school year: Computer access is now nearly universal in U.S. public schools, with 95% of schools reporting that they provided devices to students last school year, according to a federal survey. The Wall Street Journal

Why Install Python on Android?

With that realization, I started exploring ways to teach coding using only a mobile phone. That’s where Python on Android came into play. Here’s why it matters:

1. Mobile Scripting and Automation – With Python on Termux or Pydroid, users can automate repetitive tasks, process files, or even manage data on their phones.
2. Portable Development Environment – Instead of needing a full laptop, learners can code on the go, making it easy to practice programming anywhere.
3. Bridging the Accessibility Gap – Millions of students lack access to traditional computers but have smartphones. Python on Android lowers the barrier to entry into the programming world.
4. Building Android Apps – Frameworks like Kivy and BeeWare allow users to develop real mobile applications using Python, all from an Android device.
5. Web Development and Servers – Want to experiment with web development? Python on Android can run Flask or Django, enabling learners to host simple web servers right from their phones.
6. Learning and Experimentation – Students can follow tutorials, practice problem-solving, and even take coding challenges—all from a mobile device.

A Call to Action

The world is changing, and so should the way we teach programming. We can no longer assume that everyone has access to high-end computers. Instead, we should embrace solutions that make learning to code possible for anyone, anywhere. Python on Android is one such tool, and it’s a game-changer for accessibility in tech education.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to learn programming but felt limited by your resources, don’t let that stop you. Grab your phone, install Python on Android, and start coding today!

How to Install Python in Termux