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How To Get Android Apps On A Chromebook
Over the last few years, Android apps have been added to more and more Chromebook models. A brilliant expansion of the overall user experience, Google went ahead and integrated the Play Store into most Chromebooks made after 2019. This is the most convenient way to download an Android app or two, but if you own an older Chromebook, the machine may not have native support for downloading and installing applets.
To confirm this, we recommend referencing this extensive Android app support list from The Chromium Projects.
Fortunately, there's a couple of workarounds you can implement to successfully load Android apps onto your older Chromebook. Here's a guide to help you along the way.
First, let's make sure that your Chromebook is running Chrome OS version 53 or newer.
Step 1: Click the Quick Settings Panel (beside the system clock) followed by the Settings cog on the pop-up menu.
Step 2: When the Settings window opens, select About Chrome OS listed on the left.
Step 3: On the right, you'll see the platform automatically update if a newer version is available. If it doesn't automatically update, click the Check for Updates button and restart as requested.
You probably already have the Google Play Store enabled, but if it's not clearly visible on the Shelf or Launcher, here's how to make sure it's switched on.
Step 1: Click the Quick Settings panel (system clock) followed by the Settings cog on the pop-up menu.
Step 2: Select Apps listed on the left.
Step 3: Select Google Play Store listed on the right.
If the Google Play Store is enabled, you'll see a Remove button. If not, move on to the next step.
Step 4: Click the Turn On button displayed next to Install Apps and Games from Google Play on Your Chromebook.
Step 5: Select More in the pop-up window.
Step 6: Select I Agree after reading Google's Terms of Service.
Step 7: The Google Play Store appears on the screen. Accept the additional terms and conditions.
Now you can proceed to the next section.
The process of installing Android apps from the Play Store on a Chromebook is similar to doing so on an Android device.
You'll find that the Play Store will be formatted for a tablet-style screen. Other Android apps can work the same way — an app will take on the tablet user interface if the developer enabled it. Otherwise, they'll scale to the Chromebook's larger screen or visually remain in smartphone mode. For the latter, they can crash if you force a full-screen window.
Step 1: To install an app, locate it in the Play Store, click on its entry, and click the green Install button.
Note: Android apps that are not compatible with your Chromebook will not appear on the Play Store.
Step 2: The app will download and install. When finished, click the green Open button or open the app from the Launcher.
Step 3: Authorize permissions as needed. For instance, Microsoft Word 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 key resides in the top-left corner, allowing you to easily navigate through the app.
Note: Some apps may be "instant apps," which means you can open and try them out before downloading them. This is a great way to test out how an Android app functions before you choose to fully install it.
Step 1: Click the Quick Settings panel (system clock) followed by the Settings cog on the pop-up menu.
Step 2: Select Apps listed on the left.
Step 3: Select Manage Your Apps listed on the right.
Step 4: Click on the app you want to modify or delete.
Step 5: To modify the permissions, click the Toggle next to each to switch them on or off. For example, Microsoft Word can access storage but not the camera, microphone, or contacts.
If you just want to uninstall the app, click the Uninstall button instead.
Android app extra tipsChromebook 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 like accelerometers will 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 data in any other Chromebooks you are logged on to. However, they may not sync if you are using the app on a non-Chrome device.
Administrators: Administrator settings may block the ability to add the Chrome Store or Android Apps to your computer. If you're at work or school, you may need to secure permissions or move to a different network.
Chromebooks either support the Google Play Store, or they don't. The underlying hardware must support Android, and jumping into the developer channel won't magically make Android apps work. One possible workaround is to sideload Android apps using Linux.
This 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 get your apps through the Play Store, which can make it easier to access some apps that you may want to use.
However, there's a catch — the process isn't easy. You need to be comfortable with Linux and Android APKs to make the whole thing work. Here are a few other things to consider:
Installing Android apps outside the Google Play Store is dangerous, as they could contain malware.
Android apps simply may not run normally on your Chromebook's hardware.
Your Chromebook may not have adequate space to host the Android tools and apps.
If you want to take the risk, use the following steps.
Step 1: Click the Quick Settings panel (system clock) followed by the Settings cog on the pop-up menu.
Step 2: Select Advanced, then Developers.
Step 3: Look for Linux Development Environment, and select Turn On. Linux will take several minutes to set up. Confirm the on-screen instructions to proceed.
Step 4: Linux should install with its terminal open and ready for commands. Now, you'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
Step 5: With the Linux Terminal still open, type the following command:
adb connect 100.115.92.2:5555
Step 6: In the pop-up window to Allow USB Debugging, check the box next to Always 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 use Linux will find it a great way to run Android apps without the Play Store.
Editors' RecommendationsGoogle Brings New Chromebook Models To Asia Pacific And Latin America
Chromebooks have become the go-to solution for adding a digital element to education around the globe over the past 10 years. Over 50 million teachers and students utilize Chromebooks every single day as part of the overall classroom experience. In a recent move, Google has introduced some new options designed for Asia Pacific and Latin America that bring the innovative benefits of Chromebooks to even more communities.
More Choice for Schools in Asia Pacific and Latin AmericaGoogle has collaborated with Acer, CTL, Edxis, Centerm, & Multilaser to help develop and build Chromebooks tailored to the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions. This opens up massive opportunities, as schools can select the devices that best meet their unique needs and budgets and deploy solutions that work best for them.
Students will get the full power of Google for Education tools like Classroom, Docs, Sheets, Slides; along with built-in apps like Screencast with its video recording, transcription, and translation features to broaden accessibility This empowers multilingual classrooms and students with diverse learning styles to all participate, allowing anyone to flourish in their education.
Chromebooks help us broaden and amplify the modern learning experience for more students, including those with disabilities and the need for diverse learning approaches.
Alan Porto, the Secretary of Education of Mato Grosso in Brazil.Chromebook Models to Consider
Google provided a few of these new models, including devices from Acer, Multilaser, Centerm, and Edxis. Others will join the group, but here's a quick rundown of what will be included in those highlighted already by Google:
As Chromebook fans, we're obviously excited any time we see Chromebooks expanding into new territories for education. Kids are hyper-adaptable, and getting cloud-based, secure computing devices in their hands at an early age helps them better understand how viable Chromebooks truly are as an alternative to more legacy options like Windows PCs and Macbooks. Google pushing education efforts into new regions helps this effort, and it helps those students further their education as well. Win-win.
Related
Google Issues Critical Update For 2 Billion Chrome Users
If you're one of the billions of users of Google Chrome, then two separate warnings have just been issued that you should take seriously...
New warning issued for billions of Chrome users
Jaap Arriens/NurPhotoThe first of these warnings impacts Chrome's desktop users—on Windows and Mac. Google has just confirmed a security update that includes at least three high-severity fixes for vulnerabilities of the kind that have been exploited in the past.
Two of the three vulnerabilities addressed in stable channel 124.0.6367.60/.61 relate to Chrome's JavaScript and WebAssembley engine, which might enable a "remote attacker to potentially exploit object corruption via a crafted HTML page." Again, no suggestion yet of any exploits in the wild, but now this is public that could change.
The other fix is for a use after free issue, which means an attacker might be able to use latent pointers to route through to memory after it's freed up, with the risk that the platform or device might be destabilized, opening up other vulnerabilities.
MORE FROM FORBESFBI Issues New Warning If You Pay Highway Tolls Online Or By PhoneBy Zak DoffmanGoogle does not openly publish details of security issues at this early stage "until a majority of users are updated with a fix." Even then, details might be withheld if the rogue software is widely deployed across other systems.
The takeaway for users is the usual update now—or as soon as you can. Despite details being withheld, the risk once vulnerabilities are confirmed—even with scant detail, is that they might be exploited, taking advantage of the fact that many users are remiss in how quickly they update their software.
The second warning is very different and impacts Android users. Another rogue Chrome lookalike has been caught in the wild. The trojan "masquerading as Google Chrome... Takes advantage of the popularity and trust associated with Chrome to trick users into downloading and installing it." The team at G Data say that the software is being promoted through email and messaging platforms.
This isn't available on the official Play Store—users will be directed to other sites or downloads. We have already seen instances this year of Chrome's likeness being used to push malicious apps. This example "mimics the icon of Chrome, making it almost indistinguishable from the real app, save for a black contour stroke in the logo."
New malware tricks users into granting permissions
G DataThe malware—dubbed Mamont—is designed to steal from users by tricking them into providing contact and credit card details on the premise that they've been awarded a cash prize that needs to be collected.
This particular campaign appears to target users in Russia, but the warning applies to all users. Do not install apps from random third-party stores, do not grant permissions to apps such as SMS or phone dialers unless it's logically required by the app and the app itself is from a very trusted source.
MORE FROM FORBESGoogle's New Cellular Tracking Defense Revealed For Pixel UsersBy Zak DoffmanGoogle's Play Protect should keep you safe from such copycats, even if they have been installed from outside its own Play Store. You need to ensure it's enabled. But even so, this isn't something that can be relied on instead of taking sensible measures to keep your device and data safe from malicious actors.
Here are the five golden rules—you should follow them:
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