Did you know you can install Linux applications on your Chromebook? This can significantly expand the functionality of your device, especially if you’re a developer or a Linux enthusiast. However, before you can install Linux applications, you need to set up the Linux development environment on your Chromebook.
If you’re wondering whether your Chromebook supports Linux, let me tell you that all devices released since 2019 should support Linux. You can check the list of supported Chromebooks if your device is older. Alternatively, you can simply update your Chromebook to the latest version of ChromeOS, and you should get the option to set up the Linux development environment on your Chromebook.
Setting Up Linux on a Chromebook
After updating your Chromebook to the latest version of ChromeOS, you’re all set to set up Linux on your device. By enabling Linux, you’ll unlock access to powerful tools and apps that aren’t available on ChromeOS like advanced text editors, coding environments, and software development tools.
To get started, you can watch the video tutorial below or follow the step-by-step guide to learn how to set it up and install Linux applications on your Chromebook.
Here are the steps to set up the Linux development environment on a Chromebook:
1. Click the App Launcher icon.
2. Look for the Settings app and click on it to open.
3. In the Settings menu, click on About ChromeOS and look for the Developers section.
4. Under the Developers section, click Set up next to the Linux development environment option.
5. A setup window for Linux will pop up. Click Next to continue.
6. Now, create a username for your Linux environment and choose a disk size. By default, the recommended disk size is 10 GB. If you’d like to customize it, click on Customize and use the slider to pick your preferred size.
7. Once you’re done, click Install.
8. The installation will start, and you’ll need to wait for it to finish. When it’s done, a terminal window will appear, just close it.
9. Finally, restart your Chromebook to apply all the changes.
Now, you can use the Terminal to install the Linux desktop app on your Chromebook. All you need to do is know the right terminal command to get started.
Updating Linux on a Chromebook
If you’ve set up a Linux development environment on your Chromebook, it’s important to keep it updated for the best performance and security. Updating your Linux environment ensures you’re getting the latest features, improvements, and security fixes.
Here’s how to update Linux on your Chromebook:
1. Click on the App Launcher in the lower-left corner of your screen.
2. Open the Terminal app and click on the Penguin option to open the terminal interface.
3. Once the terminal is open, you can start the update process. First, you’ll want to update the APT repositories by running this command:
sudo apt update4. Press Enter and wait for the process to finish. This updates the list of available packages and their versions.
5. After updating the repositories, it’s time to upgrade the installed packages. To do this, enter the following command:
sudo apt upgrade6. When you’re prompted with a message like “Do you want to continue?“, press Y and hit Enter to confirm the upgrade. The system will start upgrading the packages on your Chromebook. Wait for it to finish.
7. Alternatively, you can run both commands at once, and Linux will update and upgrade the packages together. Use this command to do both in one go:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y8. If you want to upgrade your Linux distribution (distro) to a newer version, you can do that with the following command. It’ll upgrade your entire Linux system, including all the core components. The -y flag automatically confirms any prompts, so the process goes a lot smoother.
sudo apt dist-upgrade -y
9. Once the upgrades are complete, you can verify that you’re running the latest version of Linux on your Chromebook. Run the following command:
cat /etc/os-release
This command will display information about your Linux distribution, including the version you’re running. You’ll see details like your current Linux distro, version number, and supported features.
Installing Linux Desktop Apps
Once you’ve gone through all the steps above, you’re all set to install Linux desktop apps on your Chromebook. Just open the Terminal, run a simple command to install the app, and you’ll be good to go.
Here’s how you can install Linux apps on your Chromebook:
1. Open the Linux Terminal from the app drawer.
2. Click on the Penguin option to access the terminal.
3. To install an app, all you need to do is run a simple command: sudo apt install [package-name]. Just replace [package-name] with the name of the app you want to install. For example, to install VLC, run this command and hit Enter:
sudo apt install vlc4. If you see a prompt like “Do you want to continue?”, type Y and press Enter.
5. Once the installation is done, go ahead and close the terminal window.
6. Click on the App Launcher icon, then head over to the Linux Apps folder, where you’ll find your new app.
Similarly, you can also install other Linux apps on your Chromebook. All you need to do is replace the package-name with the name of the app you want to install. We already have a detailed guide on installing popular Linux apps on a Chromebook, just follow the linked guide.
Use Linux Apps on Your Chromebook
You’re ready to use Linux apps on your Chromebook. It’s that simple, just follow the steps to set up the Linux development environment and install your favorite apps by running a simple terminal command.
However, if you have a Chromebook with lower specifications, you might notice that performance slows down over time. This is because the Linux environment consumes some of your device’s resources, which can lead to lag. If you no longer need the Linux apps, you can easily uninstall the app or remove the Linux development environment to improve performance. And if you ever need it again, you can always set it up later.
