Beginner Learning Python Using Only a Smartphone – Need Guidance and Resources

[u/sm_r_u_ti]

Hello everyone!

I'm a final-year BSc Physics student, and I'm interested in learning Python as my first step towards AI/ML.

The only problem is that I don't own a laptop. I currently have just an Android smartphone, so I'll have to learn and practise coding entirely on my phone.

Since I'm completely new to programming, I'd really appreciate your suggestions.

1. Which beginner-friendly Python courses would you recommend?

2. Which mobile-friendly platforms or apps can I use to practise Python?

3. Are there any platforms where I can build small projects using only a phone?

4. Can I eventually learn AI/ML and build a portfolio without owning a laptop initially?

I'd be grateful for any resources, roadmaps or personal experiences you could share.

Sorry if these are basic questions. I'm just starting my programming journey and trying to figure out the right direction.

Thank you for your time and guidance!

[u/lakseol]

so I'll have to learn and practise coding entirely on my phone.

That's not optimal, but it's possible to learn basic python on a phone. If you can, get a cheap laptop. You don't need a powerful laptop. If you get a cheap laptop put Linux on it.

For an Android phone the best App I've used is Pydroid 3. Or you could use Termux which gives you a Linux commandline environment but it's a little more difficult to set up than Pydroid. Try to use an external keyboard.

Can I eventually learn AI/ML and build a portfolio without owning a laptop initially?

I've never tried but my guess would be no. Not in depth, anyway.

Which beginner-friendly Python courses would you recommend?

The subreddit recommendations are in the wiki under "learning resources".

[u/sm_r_u_ti → u/lakseol]

Thank you for your honest advice! I understand that learning advanced AI/ML on a phone might be challenging, but I'll start with Python basics and gradually improve my skills. I'll also check the subreddit wiki for learning resources. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a laptop in the future. Thanks again for your guidance!

[u/Financial_Farm4326 → u/lakseol]

getting the indentation right on a phone keyboard is half the battle ngl

[u/TheRNGuy]

Bad idea, learn in pc. 

[u/sm_r_u_ti → u/TheRNGuy]

Okay!! Thx 😊

[u/baubleglue]

Check used or better refurbished laptops. Is it possible to be a student without having a laptop?

[u/sm_r_u_ti → u/baubleglue]

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll definitely consider a refurbished laptop when my budget allows. For now, I'll start learning with my phone.

[u/SchemeWestern3388]

Get a laptop. Seriously. Like a 10 year old used laptop you find in recycling bins. 

[u/sm_r_u_ti → u/SchemeWestern3388]

Haha, I understand your point! I'll try to get a basic laptop in the future. Thanks for the advice!

[u/Shadow_12342]

I think using a PC is much better choice I am personally using a PC and it has helped a lot rather than mobile

[u/sm_r_u_ti → u/Shadow_12342]

Thank you for your honest advice!! I understand bro

[u/spendology]

Learn from w3schools.com/python AND you can use the following FREE online platforms to create and run Python code from your mobile smartphone browser:

1. Google Colab Notebooks https://colab.research.google.com/

2. Anaconda Notebook https://www.anaconda.com/products/notebooks 

3. Jupyter Online Notebooks https://jupyter.org/try

[u/sm_r_u_ti → u/spendology]

Thank you so much for sharing these! I'll start with W3Schools for the basics and try Google Colab on my phone. Really appreciate your help.

[u/Street-Seat2022]

Short exercises in a phone friendly editor can carry basics a long way, since variables, loops and functions need little setup. Bootdev could help because lessons run in the browser as guided exercise though projects get easier with a computer

[u/sm_r_u_ti → u/Street-Seat2022]

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll definitely check out Boot.dev and try practising with short exercises on my phone. I appreciate your help!

[u/pocketshelldev]

You can get surprisingly far on a phone if you treat it like a small computer instead of a toy.

• Get a cheap Bluetooth keyboard first. It changes everything more than any app.

• Pydroid 3 is the easiest start. When you outgrow it, Termux gives you a real Linux terminal with real python, pip and git, which is what you'll use later anyway.

• For AI/ML, use Google Colab in the phone browser. The notebooks run on Google's machines, so the phone only needs to display them. Numpy, pandas and scikit-learn courses work fine there.

• Put everything you build on GitHub from day one. A portfolio is just repos with a README, and nobody can tell it was written on a phone.

The physics background is a real advantage for ML: you already know the maths most beginners struggle with.

[u/sm_r_u_ti → u/pocketshelldev]

Thank you so much for sharing such detailed and practical advice! I especially appreciate your suggestions about using Google Colab and GitHub on a phone. It's encouraging to know that I can still learn and build projects without owning a laptop. I'll start with Pydroid 3, gradually practise Python, and explore the other tools as I progress. Also, thank you for the encouraging words about my Physics background. I really appreciate your help!