Hey, did you know that you can actually install full Linux desktop applications on your Chromebook? Google has really stepped up ChromeOS by adding support for both Android and Linux apps, making it way more versatile.
If you’ve got a newer Chromebook, chances are this feature is already available. But if you’re not sure, just double-check that you’re running ChromeOS version 69 or later. If not, just update your Chromebook to the latest ChromeOS version. Once it’s done, you’ll be ready to install Linux apps on your Chromebook.
How to Install Linux Apps on Chromebook
Before we get into the installation process, make sure you’ve already set up the Linux development environment on your Chromebook. Once that’s done, you’ll be able to access the Linux terminal, using it we are going to install Linux apps on Chromebook.
Once you’ve enabled Linux, the next step is to install Linux desktop applications. Here’s how you can install Linux apps on your Chromebook.
1. Installing Linux Apps Using Terminal
Follow the steps below to install Linux applications using the Terminal:
1. Click on the App Launcher icon on your Chromebook, look for the Terminal app, and open it.
2. Click on the Penguin option to open the terminal interface.
3. Before you start installing Linux apps, you need to update your Linux container to ensure everything is up to date. Type the following command to update the container, press Enter, and wait for the update process to complete:
sudo apt update4. Next, type the following command to upgrade your packages and if you’re prompted with “Do you want to continue?”, type Y and press Enter.
sudo apt upgrade
5. Once your container is updated, you’re ready to install Linux applications. To install an app, simply use this command structure:sudo apt-get install <package-name> -y. For example, if you want to install VLC, type the following command and press the Enter key:
sudo apt-get install vlc -y
Once the installation is complete, you can open the app. Just head back to the App Launcher and look for the Linux apps folder. Open it, and you’ll see the app you just installed. For example, if you installed VLC, click on its icon to open the media player.
2. Installing Linux Apps Using the .deb file
There’s another way to install Linux apps using .deb files, and it’s actually one of the easiest methods to get Linux apps on your Chromebook. All you need to do is download the .deb files from the internet, and you’re good to go. Here’s how:
Here’s the corrected version:
1. Download the .deb installer file from the internet.
2. Once done, move the downloaded file to the Linux files section inside the Files app.
3. Double-click on the .deb file.
4. A Linux application installation window will appear. Click on the Install button to begin the installation process. Once installed, you can open it from the App Launcher icon and browse the Linux apps folder.
Best Linux apps for Chromebooks
Besides VLC Media Player, there are many other great Linux apps you can install on your Chromebook to enhance its functionality. Linux apps can bring a desktop-like experience to your Chromebook, offering a wide range of tools for productivity, entertainment, and development. Whether you’re looking for an alternative browser, video editor, or a powerful code editor, there’s something for everyone.
Here are some recommended Linux applications and the terminal commands to install them on Chromebooks:
1. GIMP: A powerful image editing software, often compared to Photoshop.
sudo apt-get install gimp -y 2. LibreOffice: A free office suite that includes tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.
sudo apt-get install libreoffice libreoffice-gtk3 -y3. Audacity: A popular open-source audio recording and editing tool.
sudo apt-get install audacity -y4. Qbittorrent: A lightweight torrent client with a simple, easy-to-use interface
sudo apt-get install qbittorrent -y5. FileZilla: A fast and reliable FTP, FTPS, and SFTP client
sudo apt-get install filezilla -y6. Evolution: An email client and personal information management tool.
sudo apt-get install evolution -y7. Firefox: A popular web browser known for privacy and speed.
sudo apt-get install firefox-esr -y8. Inkscape: A powerful vector graphics editor, perfect for creating illustrations and designs.
sudo apt-get install inkscape -y9. OpenShot: A user-friendly video editor with powerful features.
sudo apt-get install openshot -y10. balenaEtcher: A simple tool for creating bootable USB drives.
sudo apt-get install balena-etcher -yAll of these apps work really well on most Chromebooks and can seriously level up your experience. Just copy and paste the terminal command, press Enter, and wait for the installation process to complete. Once it’s done, you’ll find these apps in the Linux apps folder in your App Launcher.
Uninstall Linux Apps on Chromebook
If you’ve Linux applications on your Chromebook that you no longer use, uninstalling them is a great way to free up space and keep your system organized. The process is simple and can be done directly from the App Launcher.
1. Click on the App Launcher icon.
2. In the App Launcher, locate the Linux apps folder. Open it to view all the Linux applications installed on your Chromebook.
3. To uninstall a Linux application, right-click on the app you want to remove. A menu will appear with an option labeled Uninstall. Click on this option.
4. A confirmation window will pop up asking if you’re sure you want to uninstall the application. Click Uninstall again to confirm.
5. Once the process is complete, the application will no longer appear in the Linux apps folder.
Once you’ve uninstalled the app, restart your Chromebook to apply the changes. If this method doesn’t work for you, there are other ways to remove Linux apps. Check out our detailed guide for more options.
And that’s it! Now you know how to install Linux apps on your Chromebook using either the Terminal or .deb files. Both methods are simple and effective, so go with the one that works best for you.
