On some Chromebooks, you can now download Android apps from the Chrome Web Store and the Google Play Store. Yes, that’s right, the same apps that run on phones and tablets can now run on Chromebooks without compromising their speed, simplicity or security. In this guide I will demonstrate 3 simple ways to run Android apps on Chromebook.

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After this, there will simply be a box with the Google Play Store app. Google Play Store on Chromebook Many people think that the Google Play Store does not really work for chromebook's because when they run it, they do not download applications due to their account, but they have to manually download. Access to the Google Play Store and related apps are available at the time of purchase. Google Play store apps are not preinstalled and are available through the App Store. Selected apps may not be compatible on all Chrome devices. For more information go to www.google.com; Multi-core is designed to improve performance of certain software products. Jul 03, 2016.

Install Android apps from the Chrome Web Store

You can now run Android apps on your Chromebook with the App Runtime for Chrome (Beta). This feature works on most Chromebooks running Chrome OS version 37 and higher.

On your Chromebook (won’t work if you’re not using Chrome OS):

1. Open the Chrome Web Store.
2. Browse the Android Apps & Games Collection.
   Note: If you’re not on a Chromebook, you won’t be able to see this collection.
   
3. Find an app you want to use, like Evernote, Duolingo, or CloudMagic.
4. Add the app to your Chromebook like you would with any other app.

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At the time of writing, this is the easiest way to install Android Apps on Chromebook. This method is also very limited. Not all developers have opted to port their apps to the Chrome Web Store. To have a greater selection of Android apps to install, use the next method:

Install Android apps from the Google Play Store

The first Chromebooks that will support the feature are the Acer Chromebook R11 C738T, ASUS Chromebook Flip and Google’s Chromebook Pixel (2015). The Chromebook Flip is up and running now on the developer channel. Other Chromebooks, Chromeboxes and Chromebases will be able to run Android apps when the feature becomes available later this year. To view a full list of compatible Chromebooks, click here. Another resource you can use is this Chromebook Comparison Chart at StarryHope and check “Android Apps Available Now.”

You will need to enable the “dev channel” on your Chromebook to do this. Enabling the dev channel is a way to get the latest features before they roll out to everyone. Keep in mind that choosing to enable experimental features may result in crashes and bugs.

1. Once you have chosen the channel your Chromebook will download its updates. Restart your Chromebook to see the effects of the updates.
2. Now you will enable Android apps. Go back to your Chromebook settings and just a little way down the screen, there’s an option for “Android Apps” with a little checkbox. Check this option off to enable it.
   
3. Google Play will launch and walk you through a setup very similar to the setup on Android devices. It will only take a few minutes and then that’s it, you’re in!
   

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You might be wondering, what if you want to install Android apps from “Unknown Sources” like you would on your Android phone or tablet? Well you can do that on a Chromebook as well.

Install and sideload Android apps from an .apk

Not every app will have an Android app in Google play. Some apps are available from outside Google Play as .apk files, and you can install them on your Chromebook with a bit of extra work.

Examples of apps that are not on Google Play

1. Popcorn Time – The .torrent movie streamer
2. The Humble Bundle games you purchase
3. Videoeder – Download YouTube videos
4. Amazon Underground App Store
   among others…

To start, you will need to enable developer mode, the dev channel, and the Google Play store.

1. Switch channels on your Chromebook (use the Dev Channel)
2. Navigate to your Chromebook’s settings and make sure “Enable Android Apps” is checked off. Then, click “App Settings”
   
3. Once you see the Android Settings, click “Security”
   
4. Enable installation of Android apps from “Unknown Sources.” If you do not see this option you are not in developer mode. Use this guide to enable developer mode on your Chromebook.
   
5. Download the APK file you want to install to your Chromebook’s Downloads folder (not your Google Drive).
   Note: Be careful in which applications you choose to sideload. Only install applications from sources you trust as you can be susceptible to malware from pirated apps or games.
6. You will need an Android File Management app to install your .apk files. You cannot just simply double click the APK you download (unfortunately). Download a file management application from the Google Play store onto your Chromebook. I recommend Solid Explorer or ES File Explorer.
7. Launch the file manager app you installed, go to your “Downloads” folder and click the APK you want to install then select “Package Installer” when the prompt appears.
   
8. Congrats! Your app should now be installed. Apps you install via an APK file should work just like the apps you download from Google Play in terms of performance, windows, and taskbar icons.

My experience with Android apps on Chromebook

My experience with Android apps on Chromebook so far has been great. The apps work great, they’re fast, feel native, and it just feels right to have Android on a Chromebook.

Here are a few of my notes and opinions on the status of Android apps on Chromebooks so far:

• Not all apps are optimized for mouse, so using them without a touchscreen can be less intuitive and user friendly. I expect that with time and with the official release of the Google Play Store on Chromebooks these apps will be more mouse friendly.
• As with anything currently in development there are bugs. This is true for Chromebooks that can switch between laptop and tablet mode. Some Android apps might not fill or display correctly on the screen.
• Currently not all Android apps will work on Chromebook but I am sure the bugs will be ironed out within the next few months.
• I expect more and more developers to streamline their apps to work seamlessly across Laptops, Tablets, and Phones to create a more complete Google ecosystem. Streamlining across devices is also happening on Windows 10 and with Apple and I am excited for what is to come.

One of the things that many people have always wanted is to be able to use several apps from the Play Store on their laptop, but without having to download an Android emulator. Luckily after years of patiently waiting, this can be done and now several Android apps that can be used in some Chromebooks.

Google has released an update for all these Chromebook devices which allows us to enter the Google Play Store directly and download the app from there.

What that means is that now, we are going to be able to install any Android app on any device that is equipped with the Chrome OS operating system without an emulator in sight.

Contents

• 4 How to activate Android apps on your Chromebook

Availability of Google Play Store for Chromebook

Many people have been commenting that the Play Store is already available in Chrome OS. It is said that it is available in the following devices: Acer Chromebook 14, Acer Chromebook 15, Toshiba Chromebook 2 (2015), and the Samsung Chromebook 3.

At this point, we also know that Google has promised that the Play Store will be on at least one other device down the road, and it is possible for others to receive support in the future.

What about the bad news?

Everything sound great, right? Well, it isn’t quite as simple as just powering on your new Chromebook and diving into the Play Store. Apparently, you will have to use the Canary Chrome OS channel, and then it will need to do a few small skips to be able to make sure everything works perfectly.

What does this mean? It means that you are going to use the previous version with the launch of Google operating system. This channel could have all the functions before it is available, but there is a small problem: it can also be full of bugs and software problems since the system does not receive regular updates as you receive a beta or stable program.

Google Play Store on non-touch screen devices

Despite all the obstacles, this is the first time that the Play Store is available on Chrome OS devices that do not have a touchscreen, which means that in the future there should be support for more Android applications on Chromebooks and other devices.

It is worth remembering that when Google launched the Play Store for Chromebooks, it first started with the Asus Chromebook Flip which was a model of convertible notebook, and it had a touch screen. The models that were launched afterward were also touch screen, which is to say that the company is moving forward very fast.

How to activate Android apps on your Chromebook

To download Android apps for Chromebook, you will simply have to open the Play Store, search for them and click download. As easy as that!

In the status bar, you will see the download process. If you click at the top, you can see its progress. The app will be installed along with any other apps or tools that you may have on your Chromebook.

Chromebooks With Google Play Store

And you are done! We hope that you enjoy how a lot of Android apps can run on your Chromebook. Although right now the Play Store is still a beta version, it’s fairly safe to say that in the near future, this app will be available in a better version for Chromebook so that you can enjoy all the games, apps, videos, music and more you can download right now on your Android mobile device.

Google Play Store on Chromebook is a great improvement to the Google operating system. Hence, you no longer have to rely on the internet to use some applications, as long as your device meets the requirements described above.

Running apps you downloaded from Google Play Store on Chromebook

This is what you can expect from your Chromebook at the moment you decide to download an app from the Play Store:

• Android applications can be rendered in three different window sizes.
• You will have multitasking tools in several Android apps along with the Chrome browser, which is the brain of the operating system.
• All the notifications will work perfectly, and they will be integrated in the Chrome OS notification center.

Download Google Play Store To Chromebook

So, long story short, you can now say that Google Play is available for Chromebook users who are in a stable channel. The Play Store and support for Android apps, however, are still considered in beta phase. By the looks of it, Chrome OS is on the up and up, so we can reasonable expect more support in the very near future.

Google Play Store Download Chromebook