If you use Linux apps on your Chromebook, you’ve probably run into this at least once: a file sitting in your Downloads folder that your Linux app simply can’t see. This happens because Linux on ChromeOS runs inside a container, which is isolated from your regular files by default.
But don’t worry, ChromeOS provides a simple way to bridge that gap. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to share files with Linux apps on ChromeOS, so you can move files seamlessly between the two environments.
How to Share Files with Linux Apps on ChromeOS
ChromeOS separates your regular files from the Linux container for security reasons. As a result, Linux apps cannot access your Downloads or Google Drive files by default, and you need to manually share folders with Linux or move files to the Linux files directory.
Once a folder is shared, its contents become accessible inside the Linux environment.
Follow the steps below to share files with Linux apps on ChromeOS:
1. Open the Files app on your Chromebook.
2. This is where all your local and Google Drive files are stored. If you want to share all your ChromeOS files, right-click the Downloads folder and select Share with Linux. You can do the same for Google Drive.
However, if you don’t want to share your entire ChromeOS storage, you can share a specific folder instead. Navigate to the folder you want Linux apps to access, right-click it, and select Share with Linux.
Once done, ChromeOS will instantly make that folder available inside the Linux container, and all your Linux apps will be able to access it.How to Access the Shared Folder in Linux
How to Access the Shared Folder in Linux
Once you’ve shared a folder, you can easily access it from any Linux app or the Terminal on your Chromebook.
All shared ChromeOS folders are mounted inside the following directory:
/mnt/chromeos/Within this location, you’ll find a few key subfolders that mirror your ChromeOS storage, such as:
- MyFiles (includes Downloads and other local files)
- GoogleDrive
- Removable (for USB drives and external storage)
For example, if you shared your Downloads folder, you can access it in Linux using the following path:
/mnt/chromeos/MyFiles/Downloads
From here, you can open, edit, and manage your files directly within your Linux apps, just like any other folder.ther folder.
How to Manage Shared Folders on ChromeOS
If you no longer want Linux apps to access a folder, you can remove it from the shared folders list. Here’s how:
1. Open the Files app on your Chromebook.
2. Right-click the folder you previously shared and select Manage Linux sharing.
Note: You can also manage shared folders from Settings. Go to Settings > About ChromeOS > Linux development environment > Manage shared folders.
3. In the Shared Folders list, click the Remove (✕) icon next to the folder you want to unshare.
Once removed, the folder will no longer be accessible from the Linux container, and your Linux apps will lose access to it immediately.
File Sharing with Linux
Sharing files with Linux apps on ChromeOS might seem confusing at first, but once you understand how the container works, it becomes quite straightforward. The key thing to remember is that nothing is shared automatically, you’re always in control of what Linux can access. This is actually a good thing for both security and organization.
However, if you want even more control over what Linux apps can access on your Chromebook, there’s an alternative approach. Instead of sharing your entire ChromeOS storage or Google Drive, you can simply copy or move only the required files to the Linux files folder in the Files app. This way, Linux apps will only have access to those specific files, keeping the rest of your data private.
