Google first announced the release of updates for Chrome OS, which will allow Android applications to run on a Chromebook back in May 2016. Although development of support for Android applications on Chromebooks has been slow, today there are a huge number of devices from different manufacturers that can run hundreds of millions of apps available on the Google Play store.
How to use Chromebook on your phone.
How to install Android apps on Chromebook
In addition to announcing that Android-smartphone applications will appear in the Chromebook, Google also announced that it will start adding support for Linux applications by placing them in a Debian-based virtual machine.
If your Chromebook already supports Android apps
- First make sure the latest Chrome OS version is installed on your Chromebook. You will need Chrome OS version 53 or higher.
- To check, select the status area or Settings icon. Then select “About Chrome OS” at the top of the screen.
- In the window "About the program" click the button "Check and apply updates". If there is an update available, it will be downloaded and installed. When finished, click the "Restart to update" button.
- After updating your Chromebook, go to the status area and select Settings. Go to the Google Play Store section and check the box next to “Enable Google Play Store” on your Chromebook. You will be prompted to agree to the Google Terms of Service - select “I agree” to continue.
The Google Play Store application will open and you will be asked to accept some additional terms and conditions. After that you can proceed to the next step.
If your Chromebook does not yet support Android apps
Switching to the developer channel puts your Chromebook at the usual risk of running a beta or pre-testing software. You may encounter errors, and, generally speaking, you will be largely independent in terms of support. And there is a huge caveat: in order to return to a normal stable channel, you will have to turn on Powerwash, in Chrome OS - “Reset to factory settings”. In other words, make sure that before starting this process all your data will be saved. For this, any utility for data recovery is suitable. If you're not comfortable working with unverified software, keep in mind that the Chrome OS developer channel will support the Chromebook in the least proven available version.
Go to the Chrome OS Developer Channel
- Select the status area in the lower right corner, then “Settings”. The settings page will open.
- Select "About Chrome OS" at the top of the page to check the version number and current channel.
- Select “Details” to go to the details of the OS installation. Click the "Edit Channel ..." button to open a dialog box in which you can select a new channel for your Chromebook.
- You have two options: Beta and Developer - unstable. Select the second one and read the warning carefully. If you are sure that you want to continue, click the "Edit Channel" button.
- Chrome OS will continue to update your device and put it on the developer’s channel. Wait until it is complete, and then click the "Restart" button.
- After the Chromebook reboots after applying the update, go to the developer channel as usual. You now have the Google Play Store app (beta) on the app bar.
- Open the Play Store app and review the terms of service, backup options, and query so Google can collect anonymous location data.
- If everything is in order, click the "Agree" button. A Play Store will be created, and you will be prompted to accept the terms of use for Google Play. Select "Accept" to continue.
The Play Store will open, and you may already be logged in if your Android account is the same as you’ve signed in to your Chromebook. If you are asked to set up a Play Store account, follow the instructions.
Download and install your Android software.
The process of installing apps for an Android phone from the Play Store on a Chromebook is similar to installing on a smartphone. The Play Store will be formatted as on a tablet. Other applications will work in the same way - the program will be displayed in tablet mode, if the developer has enabled it. Otherwise, they scale to a larger Chromebook screen:
- To install the program, find it in the Play Store, click and select "Install".
- Installation will begin. Accept all requests if required. As soon as the software is installed, it will appear in the Chrome OS program tray. To start, tap the icon.
You can control Android applications, like others for Chrome OS, using the same window controls in the upper right corner and the arrow key in the upper left corner to navigate through the open utility window. Some applications may be "instant", which means that you can open and test them before downloading. This is a great way to check how Android software works before installing it.
Android software flaws
The quality of the app will depend on the Chromebook. For example, a Chromebook with a touchscreen, in particular, 2-in-1, will provide the best interaction with the Android-program. System components, such as accelerometers, will make the game and other tasks more enjoyable. But this does not mean that every utility will work well on your outdated Chromebook. You will need to experiment. Finally, remember that the developers (administrator) settings can block the ability to add Chrome Store or Android programs to your PC. If you are at work or at school, you may need to obtain permits or switch to another network.
How to remove apps from Chromebook
Chromebooks are great because they don't require huge hard drives, but there are some cases where this can also be a disadvantage. Due to the fact that modern devices can install many applications from multiple sources, they can quickly fill up. Currently, you can install Android apps from the Google Play Store, Chrome and Linux. Thus, storage space can quickly become a problem. And thanks to streaming services, such as Netflix, that allow you to download your favorite movies and shows for offline playback, you may encounter a device that does not have enough space for everything you need. Fortunately, removing these apps from your Chromebook is pretty easy.
How to remove Android software from Chromebook
For most users, Android apps from the Google Play Store are probably the main reason they need to clear the space, so we'll start with them. If you're using a Chromebook with a trackpad or mouse, click with two fingers (trackpad) or right-click when the mouse is over the application icon, and then click "Delete." If you’re using a tablet with Chrome OS or a touchscreen Chromebook, tap and hold the app icon, and then tap Delete.
How to uninstall linux program
For most Chromebook users, Linux utilities are new, and removing them is a bit more complicated than other software. Start by opening the terminal. Then type the following command (replacing app_name with the name of the program) and press Enter:
sudo apt-get remove app_name
Remember that the name of the application you see may not match the name of the operating system. For example, the icon in the launchpad is signed “Steam”, and the real name of the program is “steam-launcher”, so you need to enter it. Press "Y" and then Enter to confirm that you want to remove the program. When the software is removed, you will not see a confirmation, but you can re-enter the text in the terminal window. The last step is to delete the extra files that the application loaded when it first started. Type the following command and press Enter to remove the remnants of the program:
sudo apt-get purge app_name
Press "Y" and then Enter to confirm that you want to remove the garbage, and everything is ready.
Most new Chromebooks come bundled with the Google Play Store, which allows you to quickly install your favorite programs from your smartphone. If your Chromebook was released in 2017 or later, it is guaranteed to support this feature. In any case, Google has compiled an extensive list of gadgets that have access to Android applications. You can find it on the official website of the company. Google provides Android compatibility for each individual device, so it is recommended to find a specific model whenever possible.