The Apps & Games application on Chromebook is a handy place to discover optimized apps and games designed specifically for ChromeOS. It works like an official app hub where you can quickly browse and install applications on your Chromebook.
However, sometimes the Apps & Games app may suddenly disappear from the Launcher, making it difficult to access recommended applications and games. This issue usually happens because of an outdated ChromeOS version, temporary glitches, or the app not being installed properly.
Fortunately, fixing the problem is pretty straightforward. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to restore the Apps & Games application on your Chromebook.
Why Is the Apps & Games App Missing on Chromebook?
There are several reasons why the Apps & Games application may not appear on your Chromebook:
- Your Chromebook is running an outdated version of ChromeOS.
- The Apps & Games application was accidentally removed.
- Temporary system glitches are preventing the app from showing up.
- ChromeOS components failed to load correctly after an update.
- The application is not installed on your device.
No matter the reason, the troubleshooting methods below should help you bring the app back.
Update Your Chromebook
The first thing you should do is update your Chromebook to the latest version of ChromeOS. Installing updates often fixes missing system apps and resolves temporary bugs.
- Click the Launcher icon in the bottom-left corner.
- Open the Settings app.
- In the left sidebar, scroll down and click About ChromeOS.
- Click Check for updates.
- If an update is available, download and install it.
- Restart your Chromebook after the update is complete.
Once your Chromebook restarts, open the Launcher and check whether the Apps & Games application has returned.
Install the Apps & Games Application Manually
If the application is still missing, you can manually install it using the official ChromeOS web app page.
- Open the Google Chrome browser on your Chromebook.
- Visit the following website:
discover.apps.chrome - Once the website opens, look at the address bar.
- You should see an Install button in the address bar.
- Click Install and confirm the installation.
After the installation finishes, the Apps & Games application will be added to your Chromebook automatically.
Open the Apps & Games Application
After installing the app:
- Click the Launcher icon.
- Look for the Apps & Games application.
- Click to open it.
You can now browse optimized Chromebook apps and games directly from the application.
Install Apps and Games from the App
Using the Apps & Games application is simple:
- Open the app from the Launcher.
- Browse through the available applications and games.
- Select the app you want to install.
- Click the Install button.
The selected application will then be downloaded and installed on your Chromebook.
Restart Your Chromebook
If the app still doesn’t appear after installation, try restarting your Chromebook manually.
- Click the time section in the bottom-right corner.
- Click the Power icon to shut down your Chromebook.
- Turn the device back on after a few seconds.
Sometimes a simple restart refreshes ChromeOS components and restores missing applications.
Check Your Internet Connection
Since the Apps & Games application depends on online services, make sure your Chromebook is connected to a stable internet connection.
- Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network.
- Avoid unstable or slow connections during installation.
- Try reopening the app after reconnecting to the internet.
Final Thoughts
If the Apps & Games application is missing on your Chromebook, updating ChromeOS and manually reinstalling the app usually fixes the issue quickly. In most cases, the problem is caused by outdated software or temporary glitches, and reinstalling the app restores everything back to normal.
Once the app is working again, you can use it to discover and install Chromebook-optimized apps and games directly from your device.
