How To Add Play Store To Chromebook

One of the most exciting changes Google fabricated to its Chrome OS platform in contempo years was the addition of Android app support in 2016. While Chrome OS could already run browser extensions and web apps, the improver of Android apps has dramatically increased the platform's value.

Near all Chromebooks launched in or after 2019 support Android apps and already have the Google Play Store enabled — there's nothing you demand to do. However, there are models new and old that simply tin't run Android apps due to hardware limitations. If you're non sure if your Chromebook qualifies, Google provides an extensive list. The company says information technology volition go on to "evaluate more devices."

Keep in mind that not every Android app will run on your qualified Chromebook. Again, this is due to hardware limitations because the developer hasn't released an app that, for instance, runs natively on Intel processors. Also, proceed in mind that Android apps consume local storage, so be wary virtually downloading all your favorites. These apps cannot be sideloaded to an SD carte.

Read on to notice out how to get Android apps on a Chromebook. If your device doesn't authorize (yet), so nosotros'll propose an culling.

Update Chrome Bone

First, permit'southward make sure that your Chromebook is running Chrome Bone version 53 or newer. Since Chrome Bone is currently on around its 96th version, this probably isn't an event, merely it's of import to brand certain.

Step one: Click the Quick Settings Panel (beside the system clock) followed by the Settings cog on the pop-upwards carte.

Footstep 2: When the Settings window opens, select Nigh Chrome OS listed on the left.

Step 3: On the correct, you'll see the platform automatically update if a newer version is available. If it doesn't automatically update, click the Check for Updates push button and restart equally requested.

Enable the Google Play Store

You probably already have the Google Play Store enabled, but if information technology's non conspicuously visible on the Shelf or Launcher, hither'southward how to make sure it's switched on.

Step i: Click the Quick Settingdue south panel (system clock) followed by the Settings cog on the pop-up menu.

Step two: Select Apps listed on the left.

Step three: Select Google Play Store listed on the correct.

If the Google Play Store is enabled, you'll see a Remove button. If non, move on to the next step.

Step 4: Click the Plow On button displayed next to Install Apps and Games from Google Play on Your Chromebook.

Step five: Select More in the popular-up window.

Step half-dozen: Select I Hold afterward reading Google's Terms of Service.

Step seven: The Google Play Shop appears on the screen. Accept the additional terms and conditions.

Now you can proceed to the next section.

Download and install your Android apps

The procedure of installing Android apps from the Play Store on a Chromebook is similar to doing and so on an Android device. You'll find that the Play Store will be formatted for a tablet-way screen. Other Android apps tin can work the same way — an app will take on the tablet user interface if the programmer enabled it. Otherwise, they'll scale to the Chromebook'southward larger screen or visually remain in smartphone fashion. For the latter, they can crash if you forcefulness a full-screen window.

Step one: To install an app, locate it in the Play Store, click on its entry, and click the dark-green Install push button.

Note: Android apps that are not compatible with your Chromebook will not appear on the Play Shop.

Step 2: The app volition download and install. When finished, click the green Open push or open the app from the Launcher.

Step 3: Qualify permissions as needed. For instance, Microsoft Give-and-take requests access to media, photos, and files. Click Allow or Deny.

You can manage Android apps like other Chrome OS apps. The same window controls are located in the upper-right corner, while the Back arrow primal resides in the summit-left corner, assuasive you lot to easily navigate through the app.

Notation: Some apps may be "instant apps," which means y'all can open and attempt them out earlier downloading them. This is a great mode to examination out how an Android app functions before you cull to fully install information technology.

Change app permissions or uninstall

Step 1: Click the Quick Settings panel (arrangement clock) followed by the Settings cog on the pop-upwards carte du jour.

Step 2: Select Apps listed on the left.

Step iii: Select Manage Your Apps listed on the right.

Step iv: Click on the app y'all want to modify or delete.

Step 5: To modify the permissions, click the Toggle adjacent to each to switch them on or off. For instance, Microsoft Give-and-take tin can access storage but non the camera, microphone, or contacts.

If you lot just want to uninstall the app, click the Uninstall button instead.

Android app extra tips

Chromebook type: The quality of your Android app experience will vary based on your Chromebook. For example, Chromebooks with touchscreens, and particularly 2-in-1s, will provide the best Android app experience. System components similar accelerometers volition make playing games and other tasks more enjoyable as well. Remember, always update Chrome OS before trying to download Android apps!

Syncing: Your Android apps, like other apps, will try to automatically sync to the information in any other Chromebooks y'all are logged on to. Even so, they may not sync if yous are using the app on a non-Chrome device.

Administrators: Ambassador settings may block the ability to add the Chrome Store or Android Apps to your estimator. If yous're at work or school, you may need to secure permissions or move to a different network.

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For Chromebooks that don't support Android

Chromebooks either back up the Google Play Store, or they don't. The underlying hardware must support Android, and jumping into the developer aqueduct won't magically brand Android apps work. Once again, consult Google'due south list to see if your device supports the platform. It'south either in the Stable Channel or marked as "planned."

One possible workaround is to sideload Android apps using Linux. This tin can be useful for those who prefer Linux commands and could make some Android apps more stable on a Chromebook. Also, sideloading apps means you don't have to go your apps through the Play Shop, which tin can make it easier to access some apps that you may want to use.

However, in that location'southward a catch — the procedure isn't like shooting fish in a barrel. You need to be comfortable with Linux and Android APKs to make the whole matter piece of work. Here are a few other things to consider:

Installing Android apps outside the Google Play Shop is unsafe, as they could contain malware.
Android apps simply may non run normally on your Chromebook's hardware.
Your Chromebook may not have adequate infinite to host the Android tools and apps.

If you want to have the gamble, apply the following steps.

Step 1: Click the Quick Settings console (system clock) followed by the Settings cog on the pop-up menu.

Stride 2: Select Advanced, then Developers.

Footstep 3: Await for Linux Development Surroundings, and select Turn On. Linux will take several minutes to fix. Confirm the on-screen instructions to proceed.

Step 4: Linux should install with its concluding open and ready for commands. Now, yous'll need the tools and APK to sideload your Android apps. Type/Paste the folllowing command to download the ADB tools:

sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb -y

Pace v: With the Linux Terminal still open up, blazon the following command:

adb connect 100.115.92.2:5555

Step six: In the pop-up window to Allow USB Debugging, check the box next to Ever Allow and then select OK.

Step 7: Install the Android APK. To sideload a downloaded Android APK, use the following command in the Linux Terminal:

adb install appname.apk

The whole process is certainly not for everyone, but those who are happy to apply Linux will observe information technology a cracking way to run Android apps without the Play Store.

A note about Android on Chromebooks

In previous versions of Android, the framework couldn't run natively on Chrome OS, and instead has to use a virtual environment. This is at present quickly changing as Android 11 is being adopted past a broad variety of Chromebooks. The Android 11 update allows Android apps to work seamlessly with Chrome with increased security, decreased bugs, and overall smoother performance. That's one reason it'southward a good idea to have a newer Chromebook if you desire to utilize Android apps: Google appears to be planning on adding Android 11 to effectually 100 current Chromebooks.

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