Apart from browsing the web via Google Chrome, your Chromebook can also run Linux and Android apps. While most Android apps are available in the Google Play Store, you also have the option to sideload apps that aren't accessible from the official Play Store. Sideloading apps with ChromeOS does require some effort though. You need to enable developer mode on your Chromebook or use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to complete the job.

There's no need to sideload a Linux app to your Chromebook. As we explained in our guide to Linux apps, you can install almost any Linux app directly onto your ChromeOS device normally, as long as you know its terminal command. Also, ChromeOS web apps don't need to be sideloaded since they're just websites.

Top down view of the white keyboard on the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook
Related
How to turn on ChromeOS Developer Mode on your Chromebook
In this tutorial we demonstrate how to enable developer mode in ChromeOS. This is very useful if you want to unlock advanced functionality.

How to sideload apps to a Chromebook in developer mode

Using developer mode is the easiest way to sideload an Android app on a Chromebook. The option is usually reserved for developers to test their apps on Chromebooks. Simply follow the steps below to give it a try.

Using developer mode on Chromebook may void your device warranty. Switching to developer mode will also completely erase your Chromebook, including any information that you already have stored on it.

  1. Power on your Chromebook and press the Esc + Refresh + Power keys.
  2. A message saying Let's step you through the recovery process will appear.
    A photo showing the ChromeOS Chromebook Recovery screen
  3. Press and hold Ctrl + D.
  4. You'll see a warning message: You are attempting to enable developer mode. **Caution: this will wipe your device completely.
  5. Press the up arrow and select Confirm to confirm you're entering developer mode, then press Enter.
    A photo showing the proccess of entering developer mode in ChromeOS
  6. Press Ctrl + D again and wait for your device to restart.
  7. You will notice You are in recovery mode message. Press Ctrl + D to dismiss the message.
  8. ChromeOS enables developer mode to allow you to proceed with sideloading any app.
  9. Open Chrome and download the APK file for the Android app you want to install. APKMirror is a great resource for finding interesting apps.
  10. Go to Files on your Chromebook. Find the APK file you downloaded, right-click it, and choose Package Installer.
    A screenshot of the ChomeOS package installer as seen in the Files app
  11. Follow the on-screen prompts and view your sideloaded app in action.
    A screenshot of prompts to install an Android app as seen in the ChromeOS package installer

How to sideload apps to a Chromebook via ADB

If you don't want to deal with developer mode on Chromebook or lose the information stored on your computer, use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It is a technical tool for app developers to install Android apps from an APK file. As part of this process, you'll need to enable Linux too. This is a multi-step process, so we've divided it for you here.

1. Enable Linux in ChromeOS settings

  1. Open the ChromeOS Settings app and choose Advanced.
  2. Select Developers from the Advanced menu.
    A screenshot of the processes for enabling Android apps on ChromeOS
  3. Enable the switch for Linux Development Environment and follow the steps on your screen.

2. Enable Android App development

  1. Go back to the Settings app, and in the search box look for Develop Android Apps, then pick the top result found.
  2. Choose Enable ADB debugging, then select Restart and Continue and then Confirm.
  3. Once your Chromebook restarts, go to the launcher, search for Terminal, and choose the top result found.
  4. Click Penguin and launch it.
  5. Type the following command: sudo apt install adb, hit Y then Enter.
    A screenshot of the Linux command for installing an Android app on ChromeOS
  6. Type adb connect arc and press Enter.
  7. Click the checkbox next to Always allow from this computer, then click OK.

3. Install your application

  1. Download the APK file for the app you want.
  2. Copy the file or move it into the Linux files folder by dragging and dropping it there.
    A screenshot of the processes for moving a Android apps to Linux files in ChromeOS
  3. Open the Terminal app again.
  4. Type the following command, inserting app name: adb -s emulator-5554 install [app name].apk
  5. Press Enter and then restart your Chromebook.

That's it. Your sideloaded app should appear on your device.

Access your favorite apps on Chromebook

As a reminder, installing APK files from unknown sources can compromise the security of your Chromebook. We suggest that you avoid sideloading apps unless you absolutely trust the source of said apps. Otherwise, it's safer to stick to official apps from the Google Play Store instead. After all, there is no shortage of top ChomeOS apps for your Chromebook.