With the release of ChromeOS 71, Chromebooks gained support for Android apps, bringing a whole new world of applications to these devices. Now, you can easily install and use Android apps directly on your Chromebook.
However, before you can install apps, you’ll need to enable Google Play Store support. This will give you access to the Play Store, where you can download and install apps.
Some manufacturers enable this feature by default, while others may have it turned off. If it’s not already enabled, you can activate Google Play Store on your Chromebook yourself.
Enable Google Play Store on Chromebook
During the initial setup of your Chromebook, if you choose to enable Google Play Services, the Google Play Store will already be set up on your device. You can access it from the Chromebook Shelf or open it through the App Launcher.
If the Google Play Store isn’t available, you can follow the guide to set it up and enable it on your Chromebook.
Here are the steps to enable Google Play Store on a Chromebook:
1. Click the App Launcher icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Open Settings from the App Launcher.
3. In the Settings menu, select the Apps tab on the left-hand side and click on Manage Google Play Store Preferences.
4. If the Google Play Store isn’t enabled yet, you’ll see a Turn On button. Click it, then review and accept the terms of service.
Once the Google Play Store is enabled, you can browse and download Android apps just like you would on an Android device. These apps integrate seamlessly with your Chromebook, allowing you to enjoy games, productivity tools, and entertainment apps. Many apps are optimized for Chromebooks, giving you a better experience with features like larger screen support and enhanced performance.
Installing Apps Using the Google Play Store on Chromebook
Once you’ve enabled the Google Play Store and are wondering how to download and install apps on your Chromebook, let me tell you, it’s just as easy as downloading apps on your Android smartphone. Simply open the Google Play Store app, search for the app you want, click the Install button, and wait for the installation to finish.
Here’s how:
1. Click the App Launcher icon and open the Google Play Store.
2. In the Google Play Store, either browse for the app or just search for the one you want to install using the Search bar.
3. Once you find the app, click on it in the search results and then click Install to start the installation.
4. Once done, you can open it from the App Launcher.
Remove Google Play Store from a Chromebook
If you’re no longer using Android apps on your Chromebook, or if you’re experiencing performance issues after enabling the Google Play Store (since it adds extra load to your device), you can remove Google Play Store support. This will delete all Android apps on your device and reset the Play Store settings.
Here’s a simple step to remove the Google Play Store from your Chromebook.
1. Open the Settings page.
2. In the Settings menu, click on Apps, then click Manage Google Play Store Preferences.
3. You’ll see an option to Remove Google Play Store. Simply, click the Remove button.
4. A prompt will appear letting you know that all apps downloaded from the Google Play Store will be deleted from your Chromebook. If you’re okay with that, click Remove.
5. Once the removal process is complete, it’s a good idea to restart your Chromebook.
That’s it! The changes will take effect after the restart. However, if you change your mind, you can always re-enable Google Play Store support by following the steps above.
Why Can’t I Enable the Play Store on My Chromebook?
If you don’t see the option to enable the Google Play Store or have questions about why you can’t turn it on, let me explain. Not all Chromebooks support the Google Play Store. Plus, if you’ve opt for extended security updates, the Play Store will be removed.
To check if the Google Play Store is disabled on your Chromebook, open Settings and go to the Apps section. You’ll see that the option to enable the Google Play Store is no longer there, meaning it’s been removed or doesn’t support.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to opt out of this. However, you can still install apps on your Chromebook using an alternative method.
Here’s how to install apps without the Google Play Store on a Chromebook:
1. Click on the App Launcher icon and open the Explore application.
2. Click on the Apps and Games tab.
Note: If you’re using ChromeOS 135 or later, you’ll now see a separate Apps & Games app in your launcher. Google split it from the Explore app, but it still works the same, it just has its own spot now.
3. Here, you’ll find apps and games optimized for your Chromebook. To install an app, simply select the app you want to install.
4. In the Choose Option dropdown menu, you’ll see an option to install it either from the Google Play Store or from the web. Since the Play Store is unavailable, choose to install it from the Chrome browser.
5. Once you select this option, a window will pop up where you can click Install to add the app to your Chromebook.
While extended security updates on your Chromebook may remove the Play Store, you can still easily install Android apps through the Explore app. This method allows you to continue enjoying apps on your Chromebook even without Play Store support.
Conclusion
That’s it! Now you know how to enable the Google Play Store and install Android apps on your Chromebook. But if you don’t want to install Android apps, you also have the option to disable the Play Store service on your Chromebook.
If the Google Play Store option isn’t available, you can still install your favorite apps using the Explore app. So, you’ve got multiple ways to install apps on your Chromebook. You can choose Android apps or PWA versions of apps.
