This is typically meant for developers who want to install and test their apps, and using developer mode can void the warranty on your Chromebook since it's not an officially supported state.

To sideload an Android app to a Chromebook, you must first put it into developer mode. How to sideload apps to a Chromebook with the developer mode Also, ChromeOS web apps, which are just websites, don't need to be sideloaded. As we explained in our guide to Linux apps, you can install almost any Linux app on your ChromeOS device as long as you know its terminal command. The Play Store on Chrome OS is expected to start rolling out to mainstream users later in 2016.There's no need to sideload a Linux app to your Chromebook. Everyday customers who are reluctant to try Chrome OS may think twice when the same apps they’re familiar with on their phone are also available on their PC-especially when it comes to Chromebooks rocking touchscreens like the convertible Asus Chromebook Flip. Chrome OS + Android = consumer interest?Īs for users who haven’t yet touched a Chromebook, if anything will help Chrome OS catch on in the consumer market it’s Android apps. But that doesn’t explain the seemingly arbitrary decision to cut out Chromebooks from 2013 and early 2014. Early Chromebooks from 20, therefore, may simply be unsupported due to Google’s end-of-life policy. Now to be fair, Google only promises to support Chromebooks for five years from their release date. If that’s the case, then the limitation may be a ploy by Google and its partners to sell more Chromebooks. In other words, don’t expect to see a ton of other devices added to the list over time. Google told Ars the decision to cut out devices older than two years was intentional.

That suggests there are no technical limitations preventing at least some older Chromebooks from running Android apps.

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