Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PC×
Skip to content
Mountain View desk5 min

How to Check Whether Apps and Peripherals Work on a Chromebook

Find out whether an app, printer, Bluetooth device, USB accessory, or scanner works with your specific Chromebook before relying on it.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Check compatibility on the exact Chromebook and accessory or app you plan to use. Start with ChromeOS support and the device’s ports, then verify the specific app or peripheral: support for one Chromebook model, connection type, or feature does not guarantee support for another.

Check whether an Android app works on your Chromebook

  1. Update ChromeOS. Install available system updates before checking app support.
  2. Look for Google Play Store settings. Open Settings and search for “Google Play Store” or “Manage Google Play preferences.” Google says that if this setting is absent, the Chromebook does not support Android apps. See Google’s instructions for using Android apps on a Chromebook.
  3. Search for the app in Google Play. Even when Play Store is available, an individual app may not work on that Chromebook model and may not be offered for download. An app’s availability on a phone does not mean it will install on a Chromebook; download it again on the Chromebook if it is available.
  4. Check for administrator restrictions. On a work- or school-managed Chromebook, an administrator may block Play Store access or app downloads.

Google’s recommended Chromebook apps page can help you find web and Play Store options across categories such as productivity, media, creativity, and education. Treat it as a discovery list, not a guarantee that every app or feature is available on your model.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check whether a Linux app can run

Linux app support is separate from Android app support. Check whether Linux can be enabled on your specific Chromebook, then review what the application needs from the device. Google’s Linux development environment guidance says camera access, Android emulators, and hardware acceleration—including GPU acceleration and video decoding—are not yet supported. Android devices are supported over USB in this Linux environment; other devices are not yet supported there.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If an app depends on one of those unavailable capabilities, installing the Linux app alone may not be enough to make its main feature work.

#1 Best Overall
JXMOX USB C to USB Adapter, 2-Pack, Thunderbolt 3 to USB 3.0 OTG Adapter
  • What You Get: We provide 2 JXMOX USB C (Male) to USB 3.0 (Female) adapter. During the use of our products, if you have any questions or dissatisfaction, please contact our customer support team, we will serve you wholeheartedly
  • Data Sync And Charge: By supporting USB 3.0 and OTG, this adapter allows USB-C equipped smartphones and tablets to read from removable media as the host, offering data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps between connected devices. It also supports up to 2.4 Amps of power output for charging your devices
  • Reversible Design: Smaller, smarter and more convenient! Low-profile connector with a reversible design simplifies the connection; Plug and unplug easily without checking for the connector orientation
  • Compatible With All: This USB C to USB adapter is compatible with ANY laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a USB Type-C port. The USB-C to USB Adapter lets you connect standard USB accessories and cables to a USB-C or Thunderbolt 4/3 device such as MacBook Pro 2019 2018 2017 2016, MacBook Air 2020 2019 2018, iPad Pro 2020 2018, iPad Air 4, iPhone 16 16 Plus 16 Pro 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 15 Plus 15 Pro 15 Pro Max, Chromebook, Pixelbook, Microsoft Surface Go, Samsung Galaxy S23 S22 S21 S20 Ultra 10 9 8 Plus, Note 20 10 Ultra 9 8 Plus
  • Convert USB-A Devices: Use the adapter to connect any USB-A peripheral (flash drives, keyboards, mice) that you have on hand to your new USB-C enabled devices. The reinforced USB Type-C connector features a symmetrical design which allows it to be easily connected on the first try

Check a peripheral’s model, connection, and required feature

Before buying or connecting an accessory, note its full model name, how it connects, and the feature you need. Check the Chromebook’s available ports and its ChromeOS version. A device that works for basic USB data may not provide a feature such as external display output.

  • Identify whether the accessory uses Bluetooth, USB-A, USB-C, HDMI or DisplayPort, Wi-Fi, or wired networking.
  • Check whether the Chromebook has the matching port, or whether an adapter or dock is needed.
  • Verify support for the specific task—such as display output, audio, scanning, or data transfer—not merely that the accessory connects.
  • Review Google’s list of file types and external devices that work on Chromebooks, and check the manufacturer’s current compatibility information for the exact model.

Google’s list covers categories including adapters, docking stations, drawing tablets, Ethernet dongles, storage, gaming controllers, keyboards, mice, microphones, monitors, headsets, webcams, printers, and cards. Google recommends looking for devices certified as Works With Chromebook. Certification is useful evidence for the certified product, but still match that product and connection to your Chromebook and intended use.

Rank #2
UtechSmart USB C Hub, Ethernet Multiport Adapter 6 in 1 USB C to HDMI Dock
  • 【Cost-Effective】 UtechSmart USB C Hub has a 1000M Ethernet port, a 4K HDMI port, 3 USB 3.0 up to 5 Gbps and a USB C charging port with 100W power delivery to make a perfect all-in-one solution for your connectivity needs.
  • 【Stay Cool, Stable Connected】 With our advanced technology, the USB C adapter features advanced heat dissipation and safe connections to keep your devices safe and your data secure.
  • 【Experience Lightning-Fast】 Upgrade your connectivity with our USB-C hub's 5Gbps data transfer and 1000M Ethernet port. With lightning-fast transfer speeds and reliable internet connectivity, you can seamlessly stream movies, download large files, and more.
  • 【100W Power Delivery】UtechSmart USB Type C Hub with 100W Power Delivery lets you charge your laptops, Chromecast with Google TV, Steam Deck, and other Type C devices with Blazing-fast speed and uninterrupted power.
  • 【Immersive Viewing】The 4K resolution of USB to HDMI adapter ensures that the video output is crystal clear and sharp, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and video editing.

For example, Google’s ChromeOS peripheral catalog lists the Belkin 3.0 USB-C to USB-A adapter as Works With Chromebook certified. It may be a suitable bridge for a USB-A accessory when the Chromebook has a compatible USB-C port; check the adapter’s specifications and the port’s capabilities before relying on it.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Check external storage format

A drive may fail to appear because of its file system, not just its connector. Google lists support for FAT variants, NTFS, and MTP; ISO9660 and UDF are read-only, as is journaled HFS+. If ChromeOS does not recognize a drive, check its format and update ChromeOS. Do not reformat it casually: reformatting erases data.

Rank #3
Sale
UGREEN USB Switch Selector 2 Computers Sharing 4 USB Devices USB 2.0 Peripheral Switcher Box Hub for Mouse Keyboard Scanner Printer PCs with One-Button Swapping and 2 Pack USB A to A Cable
  • 2 in 4 Out USB Switch Box: UGREEN 4 port USB sharing switch allows one button swapping between 2 computers to share 4 USB 2.0 peripheral devices without constantly swapping cables or setting up complicated network sharing software. (*Not a KVM switch and does not support a monitor or video transmission.*)
  • Ideal for Sharing Multiple Devices: This USB Switch can share USB devices such as printers, scanners, mouse, keyboards, card readers, flash drives, etc. between 2 computers.(*It is recommended to power supply when using multiple devices simultaneously to avoid disconnection due to insufficient power.*)
  • Wide Compatible System: 4 port USB switch works flawlessly with Windows 10/8/8.1/7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X, Linux, and Chrome OS. Driver-free, simply plug and play. (If the input PC only has a USB C port, please use a USB C to A adapter instead of a USB C to A cable, directly using the cable may not work.)
  • One-Botton Switch & LED Light Indicator: You can easily switch between 2 computers with a single click on the button with LED indicating the active computer. UGREEN USB Switcher make switch effortless.
  • Stable Connection: USB 2.0 sharing switch with a separate micro USB female port for option power, which optimizes its compatibility with more devices, such as HDD, Digital Video Cameras, SSD, etc. (The device doesn't include a charging cable and charger. Please use a Standard 5V charger, too high voltage output is not allowed.)

Pair Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and audio devices

Bluetooth is suitable for supported device classes such as keyboards, mice, speakers, headphones, and audio-only headsets. Google’s Bluetooth pairing instructions provide the setup steps.

  1. Confirm Bluetooth appears in Quick Settings.
  2. Put the accessory into pairing mode.
  3. Open Bluetooth settings, choose “Pair new device,” and select the accessory when it appears.
  4. Confirm that the accessory is shown as connected, then test the function you need.

A phone cannot be paired to a Chromebook over Bluetooth. Use Google’s supported phone connection flow instead.

Rank #4
Belkin USB C Hub, 4-in-1 Multi-Port Laptop Dock with 4K HDMI, USB C Docking Station with 100 Watt Pass-Through Power Delivery, 2 X USB A Ports For MacBook Pro, Air, iPad Pro, Chromebook and More
  • EXPAND YOUR WORKSTATION: Connect your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Chromebook, or other USB-C laptop to multiple displays, storage, or other devices through this USB-C docking station. This docking station includes 4 ports that include an HDMI 1.4 port, 2 USB-A 3.0 BC1.2 ports, and a USB-C PD port.
  • 100W PASS-THROUGH POWER: This charging dock allows you to charge your laptop with up to 100W of pass-through power (minus 15W for the dock's operation). Power your laptop without sacrificing power for port expansion.
  • 4K HDMI PORT: Connect to multiple displays with an HDMI port that supports up to 4K resolutions at 30hz.
  • UP TO 5 GBPS DATA TRANSFER: Turn up the bandwidth! Get 5 Gbps data transfer between your computer and peripheral devices with our USB-C Docking Station.
  • COMPACT MULTI-PORT ADAPTER: The sleek and compact design of this mini USB hub allows for easy mobility and reduces desktop clutter while its aluminum finish complements most modern laptops.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Check printer compatibility before setup

Search for the exact printer model on Google’s Chromebook printer compatibility page, then check the manufacturer’s current list for your country. Google provides manufacturer links, including Brother, Canon, Epson, and HP, but warns that some printers on its other-compatible-printer list may not work and that the list is not comprehensive.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

For network printing, connect the Chromebook and printer to the same network. USB is another supported printer connection. When you select a printer in ChromeOS, the system checks compatibility. Google states: “Currently, Chromebooks don’t support Bluetooth printing.”

Best Value
MOGOOD USB Hub 3.0 Splitter for Laptop, 4 in 1 Multiport Adapter Right Side
  • 【Plug and Play】No software, drivers or complicated installation process requirement.
  • 【USB Expansion】This USB Hub tansfer a single USB port into 4 USB data ports. you can get 1 USB 3.0 and 3 USB2.0 ports with your new USB C laptop
  • 【Wide Compatibility】This USB adapter has a wide range of compatibility, including USB cables, flash drives, mice, keyboards. Also works with hubs for MacBook Pro 2021/2020/2019, Google Chromebook Pixelbook, Samsung series and laptops and more USB Type-C devices (charging not supported).
  • 【4 in 1 USB Hub】USB Hub Multiport Adapter contains 1*USB 3.0 and 3*USB 2.0,supports super faster data transfer up to 5Gbps which is 10X faster than USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), which allows you to transfer datas in just seconds; USB extension hub was built in OTG function chip, it can easily connect the mouse, keyboard, USB disk, and other USB devices to your USB-C phones and tablets
  • 【Easy to Carry】The USB extension cable multiple port has been Special designed to be as slim and light as possible, ideal for your working and traveling with ultrabook. easy to store and use.

When comparing printers, check the exact model and country, whether it is listed for ChromeOS, the connection you intend to use, and whether you need printing, scanning, or both. A printer that prints successfully does not necessarily establish that its scanning features will work.

Check whether a printer can scan

Google says most printers and scanners connected over Wi-Fi or a wired network can be used for scanning, with the Chromebook and device on the same network. Bluetooth scanning is unsupported. Before setup, confirm that the exact multifunction printer includes a scanner.

To find the Scan app, open Settings and go to Printers and scanners. Google’s instructions for scanning documents explain how to use it.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

How to compare two or more options

What to compare Questions to answer
Exact product Is this the precise app, accessory, or printer model—not just the brand or product family?
Support evidence Is it listed by Google, Works With Chromebook certified, or supported by the manufacturer for the relevant Chromebook or ChromeOS use?
Connection and ports Does it use Bluetooth, USB-A, USB-C, HDMI or DisplayPort, Wi-Fi, or wired networking, and does the Chromebook support that connection?
Required feature Does the evidence cover the task you need, such as display output, scanning, audio, or data transfer?
Printer details Is the exact model listed for your country, and does the listing cover printing, scanning, or both?

Compatibility pages and model lists can change. Google describes its other-compatible-printer list as non-comprehensive and directs users to manufacturers for more detail. Recheck current support information before buying or depending on an app or peripheral.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.