Autologin in Linux using Getty

Published: at 03:20 PM
(2 min read)

This post will explain how you can enable/disable autologin in Linux distros using the Getty systemd service.

Table of contents

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Why?

Well sometimes, you’re too lazy even to type the password right? Or you’re running a minimalistic system without a login manager and you don’t want to get stuck in the tty typing username and password everytime to login. This is where the getty service is gonna help you out.

What is Getty?

In traditional Unix-like systems, a “getty” is a program that manages the login process on virtual terminals (VTs) or consoles.

The name “getty” stands for “get tty” (get teletype) and originates from the time when teletypes were commonly used as input/output devices.

Getty is responsible for prompting users for their username and password when they access a terminal, and it spawns a login shell after successful authentication.

In modern Linux distributions that use systemd, the getty service is often managed by systemd, which is a system and service manager for Linux operating systems. systemd takes care of starting and managing getty instances, as well as other system services. The getty service is responsible for displaying the login prompt and managing user logins on virtual terminals.

No password means easy hecking?

Well, fair question. But if you’re already using a non-encrypted drive there’s pretty much no base for that argument.

Physical access = God access

Don’t forget to encrypt your drive the next time you install Linux

How to do this?

Enough talking. Let’s get straight into business.

Steps

  1. Open /etc/systemd/system/getty.target.wants/getty@tty1.service using your favorite text editor.
sudo vim /etc/systemd/system/getty.target.wants/getty@tty1.service

  1. Find the line saying [Service]

  2. There you will see something like this

ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty -o '-p -- \\u' --noclear - $TERM

aggety : Program that manages the virtual terminal

-o : To set output options

-p : Issue prompting (/etc/issue)

--noclear : Don't clear terminal before displaying prompt

$TERM : User's default terminal
  1. Comment the line and add this new line

ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty -i -a <username> %I $TERM

Where <username> will be your username

eg:
ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty -i -a ram %I $TERM
  1. Save the file and reboot. And thou shall enter no password fron now on.

Goodbye