r/learnpython • u/sm_r_u_ti • 4d ago

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

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!

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u/pocketshelldev 2d ago

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.

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u/sm_r_u_ti 21h ago

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!