Want to play Minecraft on your Chromebook? Good news, it’s absolutely possible. Whether you’re looking to build epic worlds in Creative Mode or battle Creepers in Survival Mode, I’ll walk you through exactly how to install Minecraft on your Chromebook.
But here’s the thing: not all Chromebooks can run Minecraft right out of the box. You’ll need a Chromebook that supports the Linux Development Environment and the Google Play Store. Since there are two ways to install Minecraft on a Chromebook, let’s discuss both methods.
How to Install Minecraft on Chromebook
We can install both Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft: Education Edition on your Chromebook, each offering a unique experience. If you prefer the classic desktop experience, Minecraft: Java Edition, known for its extensive modding options and customizable gameplay, can be installed through the Linux Development Environment. This setup involves enabling Linux on your Chromebook, downloading the necessary files, and running the game within the Linux container.
On the other hand, if you’re interested in Minecraft: Education Edition, which is tailored for educational use with special features for students and teachers, you can easily install it directly from the Google Play Store, just like any other Android app. The Education Edition is a great option for those looking to explore Minecraft in an academic setting, offering a variety of lessons and challenges.
1. Installing Minecraft Education Edition
This is the Android version of Minecraft, which can be run on any Chromebook that supports the Play Store. If the Play Store isn’t enabled on your device, you can follow our guide to enable it. Once that’s done, simply follow these steps:
1. Click the App Launcher icon in the lower-left corner of your screen, then search for the Play Store. Once you find it, click on it to open the Google Play Store.
2. In the search bar at the top of the Play Store, type Minecraft Education Edition and press Enter. This will bring up the search results. Look for the official listing from Mojang. Select it from the list, then click the Install button.
3. Once installed, open the app, sign in with your school or organizational account, and you’re ready to play Minecraft Education Edition on your Chromebook.
2. Installing Minecraft Java Edition
If you’re looking for the complete Minecraft experience, you can install Minecraft: Java Edition on your Chromebook. To do this, you’ll first need to enable the Linux Development Environment on your device. This step allows your Chromebook to run Linux applications, including Minecraft: Java Edition.
Once Linux is set up, you can proceed with the installation of the game.
Here are the steps to install Minecraft: Java Edition on your Chromebook:
1. Open the Terminal. In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter. This command will update your Linux system to the latest available packages.
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
2. Enter the following command into the Terminal and press Enter. This will install the default version of Java required to run Minecraft. Wait for the installation process to complete before moving to the next step.
sudo apt install default-jdk -y
3. Head over to the official Minecraft website and locate the Minecraft.deb download link for Debian / Ubuntu. Click on it to download the file.
4. After the download is complete, go to the Files app and navigate to the Downloads folder. Move the Minecraft.deb file into the Linux files section, which is where the Linux environment will recognize it.
5. Once the Minecraft.deb file is in the Linux files section, double-click it. A Linux application installation window will pop up, asking if you want to install the application. Click the Install button.
Note: If you don’t get the GUI interface to install the app on Linux, you can install it using the Terminal. Simply run this command: sudo apt install ./filename.deb. Replace filename.deb with the actual file name.
6. To start playing Minecraft, click on the App Launcher in the bottom-left corner of your screen. In the search bar, type Minecraft and open the Minecraft Launcher.
7. After the Minecraft Launcher opens, you’ll be prompted to log in with your Mojang or Microsoft account. Enter your credentials and click Log In. Once logged in, the Play button will appear. Click it to start Minecraft: Java Edition.
Get Minecraft on Chromebook
That’s it! This is how you can install Minecraft on a Chromebook. However, if you run into any installation errors, mainly with the Java Edition, don’t worry. There’s an easy fix. Sometimes, missing dependencies can cause issues, but you can resolve them quickly. Simply open the Terminal app on your Chromebook and enter the following command: sudo apt install libsecret-1-0 -y. This will install any missing dependencies needed for Minecraft to run properly.
Once the command finishes, return to the Files app, locate your Minecraft.deb file in the Linux files section, and double-click it to install it normally. After completing these steps, you should be ready to start playing Minecraft on your Chromebook without any further issues.
