How to Update Apps on a Chromebook

Chromebooks have become versatile tools for both work and play, seamlessly blending the power of a laptop with the convenience of mobile apps. Just like any other device, keeping your apps up to date on your Chromebook is crucial for optimal performance, improved security, and a smooth user experience.

Chromebooks support different types of applications. You can install Android apps, Linux applications, and Chrome Web Store apps. Therefore, it is important to keep these apps updated. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to update apps on your Chromebook so you can make the most of your device’s capabilities.

Why You Should Update Apps on Chromebook?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s briefly discuss why updating apps on your Chromebook matters.

App updates often include critical security patches that protect your device and personal data from potential threats. Updating apps to the latest version also fixes bugs and glitches, improving app stability and performance.

Additionally, updates often introduce new features and improvements. Developers also ensure that apps remain compatible with the latest version of ChromeOS, helping everything run smoothly.

How to Update Apps on a Chromebook

Chromebooks support a wide range of applications, including Chrome apps, Linux applications, and Android apps, making it easy to access various functionalities.

Here’s how to update them on your Chromebook:

1. Update Chrome Apps

Chrome apps are default applications that come pre-installed with ChromeOS, including the Google Chrome browser, the Files app, and other system apps. Since a Chromebook is a cloud-based device, most users spend a significant amount of time using the Chrome browser. Therefore, it is important to keep the Google Chrome browser and other system components updated to receive the latest features and security improvements.

Here are the steps you can follow to update the default Chrome apps:

1. Launch the App Drawer by clicking on the App Launcher icon.

2. Locate the Settings app and open it.

3. In the Settings window, scroll down and click on About ChromeOS.

4. Then click the Check for Updates button. If an update is available, it will automatically download and install on your Chromebook.

Since the default apps are part of the Chrome operating system, updating ChromeOS also updates all the built-in Chromebook applications.

2. Update Chrome Extensions

Many users install Chrome extensions to enhance productivity on their Chromebooks. Therefore, it is equally important to keep these extensions updated for better security, performance, and compatibility with the latest version of Chrome.

Regularly updating extensions can significantly improve your browsing experience.

Follow these steps to update Chrome extensions:

1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your Chromebook.

2. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Extensions.

3. Then click Manage Extensions from the menu that appears. Alternatively, you can type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar.

4. Enable the Developer mode toggle in the top-right corner.

5. Click the Update button to update all installed Chrome extensions on your Chromebook.

This ensures that you have the latest versions of your extensions installed, providing better performance, improved security, and compatibility with Chrome.

3. Update Android Apps

Modern versions of ChromeOS support Android apps through the Google Play Store. This allows you to download and install thousands of Android applications directly on your Chromebook.

Just like on an Android smartphone, it is important to keep these apps updated to ensure optimal performance and access to the latest features.

Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Click on the App Launcher icon to open the app drawer.

2. Find and open the Google Play Store.

3. Once the Play Store opens, click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Manage apps & device.

4. In the overview window, click on See recent updates to check all available updates.

5. Also, by selecting the Manage tab, you can look for updates. To download the available updates, select Update available and then click the Check for Update button.

This will update all outdated Android applications to the latest version so you can enjoy the newest features and improvements.

4. Update Linux Apps

Many modern Chromebooks also support the Linux development environment, allowing users to install powerful desktop applications such as GIMP, Shotcut Video Editor, VLC Media Player, and more.

Keeping Linux apps updated ensures that you receive the latest features, bug fixes, and security improvements.

Here’s how to update Linux apps on your Chromebook:

1. Open the App Launcher.

2. Locate the Linux apps folder and launch the Terminal application.

3. Click on the Penguin option to open the Terminal and run the following command to update the application repository:

sudo apt  update

Note: If you want to check the list of Linux applications that can be upgradeable run this command: apt list --upgradable

4. Next, run the following command to upgrade the installed Linux applications:

sudo apt upgrade

5. Once the update process is complete, close the Terminal and restart your Chromebook.

Keep Apps Updated on Chromebook

Keeping your apps updated on your Chromebook is essential for maintaining security, improving performance, and ensuring compatibility with the latest ChromeOS features.

By regularly updating Chrome apps, Android apps, Linux applications, and Chrome extensions, you can ensure that your device always runs the latest versions of your favorite apps. This not only improves stability but also gives you access to new features and enhancements.