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Can You Install Linux Apps on a Chromebook?

Supported Chromebooks can run compatible Linux apps in a Debian environment through ChromeOS’s Linux development environment. Here’s how setup works and what to check first.
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Yes. On a supported Chromebook, enable ChromeOS’s Linux development environment to get a Debian environment where you can use APT to install compatible Linux apps. This setup runs Linux alongside ChromeOS; it does not replace ChromeOS with Linux.

How to set up Linux on a Chromebook

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to About ChromeOS > Developers.
  3. Next to Linux development environment, select Set up, then follow the prompts.
  4. When Terminal opens, use the Debian environment and APT to install compatible tools and applications.

Linux is off by default, and Google says setup can take 10 minutes or more. Menu labels may change with ChromeOS updates.

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What you need to check before installing an app

Device support and administrator restrictions

The feature is available only on supported Chromebooks. A work- or school-managed Chromebook may have Linux blocked by its administrator. If Linux development environment is missing from Settings, check device support and management policy. Google’s setup instructions cover the current setup route.

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Hardware and accessibility limits

Google lists several limitations for Linux on ChromeOS: cameras and Android emulators are unsupported, hardware acceleration (including GPU and video decode) is unsupported, and ChromeVox support is limited to the default Terminal app. These constraints can rule out apps that rely on those capabilities. See Google’s Linux environment limitations before choosing an app.

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Files and security

Linux apps share a sandbox with one another. A harmful Linux app can affect other Linux apps, and files or permissions you share with Linux are available to all Linux apps. Google says the Chromebook remains outside that shared Linux-app sandbox. Share only files and access that Linux apps need. Google explains Linux app security and sharing.

Back up before moving or removing Linux

Back up Linux files and apps before moving or removing the environment. To restore a Linux backup on another Chromebook, the destination must have a matching architecture, such as x86 or ARM. Follow Google’s backup and restore guidance before making changes.

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Linux apps and Android apps are different

Linux apps run in the Linux development environment. Android apps are installed separately through Google Play, which is available only on some Chromebooks; an Android app is not automatically a Linux app. If you are choosing between versions, check whether your Chromebook supports the relevant environment or Play Store, whether the app needs unsupported hardware features, and what files or permissions it needs. Google’s Chromebook help for Android apps explains Play Store availability.

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