Chromebooks are cloud-based devices that run on ChromeOS. When it comes to installing apps, you’ve got a few solid options: Android apps and games from the Google Play Store, full Linux apps through the Linux Development Environment, and PWAs – also known as Progressive Web Apps.
Out of the three, PWAs and many Android apps are the most optimized for Chromebooks, offering smooth performance and seamless integration with the system.
We’ve already covered how to install Android and Linux apps in detail. So in this guide, we’ll walk you through how to install PWAs on your Chromebook.
Installing PWA on a Chromebook
A Progressive Web App (PWA) is basically a website that feels and behaves like a native app. It opens in its own window, shows up in your app launcher, and in some cases, even works offline. It’s fast, lightweight, and designed to be responsive on Chromebooks.
If you’re looking for a clean, app-like experience without the extra weight of a full install, PWAs are a great option.
There are two main ways to install a PWA. Let’s discuss them one by one:
1. Using Chrome
On a Chromebook, we usually use the Chrome browser to access websites, and that’s exactly what we’ll use to install PWAs. The best part? Many popular sites already offer PWA versions, making installation quick and effortless. Here’s how:
1. Open the Chrome browser on your Chromebook.
2. Go to the website you want to install as a PWA. For example, if you want to install Apple Music, head to music.apple.com.
3. Look for the install icon on the right side of the address bar. If the site supports PWA, you’ll see a small computer icon with a down arrow.
4. Click the icon, then select Install.
5. If you don’t see the installation icon in the address bar, click the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner of the Chrome browser window. From the dropdown menu, hover over Save and Share, then select the Install Apple Music option and install it.
And that’s how you can install a PWA using the Chrome browser. You can follow the same steps to install any other PWA on your Chromebook.
Note: If you don’t see any installation option, that means the website doesn’t support PWA yet. Chrome will only show the install option if a PWA version is available.
2. Using the App Mall
But there’s an even easier way to install PWAs on your Chromebook now. Starting with ChromeOS 132, Google introduced a new built-in app store called App Mall. Think of it as the Chromebook’s version of an App Store, it brings together Android apps, games, and PWAs that are optimized specifically for your device. All you have to do is search for the app you want and hit install.
Here’s how to install PWAs using App Mall:
1. Click the App Launcher.
2. Search for and open the Apps & Games app (that’s the App Mall).
3. Browse or search for the app or game you want, and click the app tile when you find it.
4. You’ll see two options: Install from Web and Get from Google Play. Click on Install from Web to install the PWA version of the app.
Install and Use PWA on a Chromebook
You can use any of the methods we mentioned above to install a PWA on your Chromebook. However, we recommend going with the App Mall – it’s the easiest and most reliable option. With just a few clicks, you’ll have your favorite web apps running like native apps, right from your launcher.
If you ever want to uninstall a PWA, the process is just as simple. Just right-click the app icon and select Uninstall, just like you would with any other Chromebook app. And that’s a wrap for this guide.
