Yuav ua li cas rau nruab Android apps ntawm koj lub Chromebook

Tuav HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook.

June Wan/ZDNET

Chromebooks are a brilliant mobile option for so many people. Not only do they greatly simplify many of the processes for using a laptop, but they are also secure, rarely suffer from slowdowns, and (should something go wrong) are very easy to reset back to factory defaults. 

But for some, the lack of actual apps makes ChromeOS a questionable choice. Fortunately, it's not only possible to enable Linux (and install Linux apps) on your Chromebook, but it's also possible to enable the installation of Android apps. Once you have this feature enabled, you can install any app from the Google Play Store to turn your Chromebook into a more robust and flexible laptop.

Tsis tas li ntawd: The best Chromebooks for students (and why they're great)

With this method, you can install alternative browsers, an actual email client, and even an office suite.

Of course, there's a caveat. You might find some apps don't work as expected. This can occur when an app isn't optimized for a larger display (like a tablet). Even apps that aren't optimized can still work (they just might be a bit small). Another issue is that if an app depends on phone functionality, it won't work. Lastly, not every Chromebook is supported. Here's a convenient list of ChromeOS hardware that does support Android apps

With all of that said, I'll show you how to enable Android app support and how to install your first application.

How to enable Android apps ntawm koj lub Chromebook

Thawj kauj ruam yog qhib lub Chaw app. 

Click the System Tray at the bottom-right corner of your screen and then click the gear icon. 

The ChromeOS System Tray popup.

Accessing the Settings app through the ChromeOS System Tray.

Screenshot los ntawm Jack Wallen / ZDNET

In the resulting window, scroll down until you see the Apps section and then click Turn on.

The ChromeOS Settings app.

The Settings app displays the Apps section of ChromeOS.

Screenshot los ntawm Jack Wallen / ZDNET

You will then need to accept the Terms of Service. 

Accepting the Terms of Service for adding Google Play Store support in Chrome OS.

The Terms and Services for adding Android apps to ChromeOS.

Screenshot los ntawm Jack Wallen / ZDNET

You can opt out of backing up your Android apps to Google Drive, if you like. Click More, and then when prompted, click Accept.

The final screen for the Terms of Service.

Accepting the Terms of Service and enabling or disabling the Google Drive backup and location usage.

Screenshot los ntawm Jack Wallen / ZDNET

The installation will begin and should complete fairly quickly. Once the installation completes, you'll be taken back to the Settings window and then the Google Play Store window will eventually open, where you can install your first app. 

Tsis tas li ntawd: Qhov zoo tshaj plaws Chromebooks rau kev ua haujlwm

Before you do, the Play Store will install the Android Accessibility Suite in the background. You need to allow that to finish before installing anything. If you find the Google Play Store keeps crashing, it means the Accessibility Suite isn't done installing. Give it time and it'll finish.

Installing your first Android app on ChromeOS

The installation of Android apps on ChromeOS is handled in the same way you'd install them on your Android phone. Say, for instance, you want to install the Firefox web browser. To do that, type Firefox in the search bar of the Google Play Store app. 

The Google Play Store on Chrome OS.

The Google Play Store running on a Chromebook.

Screenshot los ntawm Jack Wallen / ZDNET

On the resulting page, click Install and allow the installation to complete.

The Firefox entry in the Google Play Store.

Installing Firefox on ChromeOS.

Screenshot los ntawm Jack Wallen / ZDNET

When the installation finishes, you'll find the app available in the ChromeOS launcher.

Tsis tas li ntawd: Firefox rau Android nyuam qhuav tau txais ib qho tseem ceeb ntiag tug feature: Nws yuav pab tau koj li cas

And that's all there is to installing Android apps on ChromeOS. Once you start installing applications, you'll find this helps to bring your Chromebook to the next level of productivity. Just remember: If you install an app that doesn't function properly and you don't wind up using it, delete it from your Chromebook so it's not taking up precious space.

Tau qhov twg los