It’s surprisingly simple to obtain Android apps for your Chromebook via the Google Play Store! Some Android software APKs, however, aren’t accessible through the Google Play Store. These APK-formatted apps are for Android. The good news is that your Chromebook can now install APKs. While installing APKs on your Chromebook using the Developer mode is possible, it’s not recommended because it jeopardizes the security and files on your notebook.
Can I Install APK Files on Chromebook?
You must first switch to developer mode on your Chromebook before you can install Android applications. Your Chromebook will no longer have access to any security features once you switch to developer mode.
Thankfully, installing APKs on your Chromebook without developer mode is now possible. You must configure your Chromebook’s ADB capabilities in order to do this (ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge).
After completing this, launch the Terminal program from your app drawer and select the Android tab. You must then enable ADB debugging from here. This procedure could take a short while.
Your Chromebook will restart immediately once ADB is enabled. Following the procedure, you’ll need to reset the device. To make changes to your Chromebook after that, you must restart the device.
You must download Android apps from the Google Web Store in order to install them on your Chromebook without using developer mode. Prior to the launch of the Google Play store, the Google Web Store was accessible.
The ability to execute applications in full-screen mode on a Chromebook is the crucial benefit of using the web store. Additionally, you may synchronize these apps between other devices. Additionally, if you use the same Chromebook, the Android app will automatically sync with additional Chromebooks.
To learn how to install APK on a Chromebook without developer mode, continue reading. We’ll first discuss why it’s advisable to stay away from the Chromebook Developer mode.
Installing Apks On Chromebook With Developer Mode
Using Developer Mode, you may give your Chromebook more power and customization. Like jailbreaking your phone, it gives you the option to modify your Chromebook without using the Chrome OS.
With Chromebook Developer mode, you can:
- Executable developer commands
- Install additional applications and programs.
- Possess several operating systems
These skills sound fantastic! What’s the catch, though?
The Risks of Chromebook Developer Mode
You should stay away from the Chromebook Developer Mode for the following reasons:
- Security Compromise
Your Chromebook’s security is compromised if you switch to developer mode.
Because of its unmatched security features, Chrome OS is well known. You consent to give up Chrome OS’s enhanced security by entering Developer mode, leaving your privacy and data open to hackers.
- Your Data Being Lost
You must fully clean your Chromebook before starting Developer Mode for the first time. Your Chromebook will now enter Developer Mode automatically whenever it boots up.
You must be cautious to exit Developer Mode as soon as possible because of this. The data on your Chromebook could be instantly erased if you press the wrong button.
- No control over system changes
Again, the bootup procedure will vary significantly if Developer Mode is enabled for the first time.
Reduced control over system upgrades is one example of this. You won’t be able to authenticate any modifications made to the Chrome OS each time your Chromebook boots.
- Invalidate Chromebook Warranty
Your warranty will be void if you use your Chromebook in developer mode.
Even if you can turn off developer mode to keep your warranty, doing so will still place you in a difficult situation if your laptop experiences any damage or defects.
Your Chromebook will be cleared of all data when you switch to developer mode in Chrome.
As long as they run Android, devices other than Chromebooks can have sideloaded apps.
Read Also: >> Android Emulator to Run on Chrome and Firefox
How to Install APKs on Chromebook Without Developer Mode: Step-by-step Guide
Just so you know, this strategy will only function if your Chromebook supports Google Play and Android apps.
Additionally, make sure your Chromebook has at least Chrome OS 86 installed.
Update Chrome OS as follows:
- Access Settings.
- Click the About Chrome link.
- Under “Google Chrome OS,” look for your Chrome OS.
- Click Check for Updates if your version of Chrome OS is less recent than Chrome OS 86.
- Automatic updates will be made to your Chrome OS.
Additionally, you must not be on any update channels and must not have developer mode active.
Now for the fun part…
APKs can now be installed on Chromebooks without jeopardizing security, wiping away data, or voiding the warranty.
How to install Apk on Chromebook without developer mode consists of two steps:
- Establishing ADB
- Installing an Android APK
This is how:
Setting Up ADB on a Chromebook
- Go to the Chromebook Settings page. Enable Linux from the left menu (Beta).
- Open Settings once again after enabling Linux.
- Select Linux, then under Develop Android Apps, Enable ADB Debugging by clicking the toggle.
- Your Chromebook should restart.
- After the reboot, an ADB prompt will appear. Press Allow. Restart the Chromebook in the event that ADB isn’t functioning. So it ought to function.
- From your apps, select Terminal, and then enter the following command. This will set up the ADB platform’s utilities:
Install android-tools-adb -y with sudo apt-get -y
- Once the installation is finished, connect Chrome OS’s ADB to Linux and type the following command into the Terminal:
adb connect 100.115.92.2:5555
For this stage, make sure your internet connection is strong.
- You will be prompted to “Allow USB Debugging”. Then click OK after selecting Always Allow.
Note: Go to the Google Play Store and select Manage Android Preferences if you receive the error message “can’t connect to 100.115.92.2:5555 connection rejected.” Then select About Device under System. To enable Developer Options, click “Build Number” at least eight times in a row.
- Open Developer Options from the System page by navigating there. Toggle ADB Debugging on.
Note: Type “adb start-server” in Terminal if you get one of these messages. Go back to Step 7:
- “Command Not Found”
- “Permission Denied”
Installing APKs on a Chromebook
Now you don’t need to ask “how to install APK on Chromebook without developer mode” because it’s easy. Here is how:
- Save the APK file you downloaded to the Linux Files tab in My Files.
- To sideload the Android app, launch Terminal and type the appropriate command. APK file name should be used in place of “filename”: adb install filename.apk
- Enter the following command if you see the error message “more than one device/emulator”: adb -s emulator-5554 install filename.apk
- You’re done now! Your Android app is now accessible from your app drawer.
How Do I Disable Developer Mode on My Chromebook?
On my Google Chromebook, how can I turn off Developer Mode? You will learn how to achieve it by reading this guide. Press the ESC key, the refresh or power key, then the D key to activate development mode. The Chromebook will signal that OS verification is disabled after a short while. You can dismiss this warning by pressing CTRL + D. The startup time will be accelerated by this. Developer mode can also be turned off by using the spacebar. However, doing so will delete all of your data and settings.
You must perform a factory reset on your device before you can turn developer mode off. Make a backup of your data before beginning this process. Before taking any action, you should backup all of your data. The Chromebook should then be turned on. To enable OS verification, press the space bar once more. After that, hit Enter to verify that the operation was successful. The Chromebook will finally restart in regular mode.
Conclusion
The Google Play Store doesn’t carry all Android applications. The APK file needs to be installed on your Chromebook in that instance.
While it is a little difficult to install APKs on a Chromebook without Developer Mode, it is manageable if you follow our tutorial step-by-step. Even without using developer mode, you can use these techniques to run Showbox APK on your Chromebook.
After installing ADB, you may use the “ADB install” command from Terminal to continue installing any APK file on your Chromebook.
You can surely gain app performance with our technique because Android apps found in the Linux folder run on the Android Runtime.
Check out other unique articles on our blog for more detailed information, and do well to share this article “How to install Apk on Chromebook without Developer Mode” with your friends and family.
Bonus
Does Chrome OS Support All Android Apps?
Although Google claims that Android apps are crucial to the Chrome OS experience, not all Android apps will function on Chrome OS. The Linux operating system uses the same kernel and other resources as a native Android app since the Android platform operates in a Linux container. Additionally, Chrome OS offers additional security protections and operates in a protected environment. Therefore, even if they might not be as well-known as native Android apps, Android apps are still worthwhile exploring.
The process has been gradual, despite Google’s initial announcement that Chromebooks would allow Android apps in May 2016. There are already several devices that can run Google Play Store applications, and Chromebooks have been supported for some time. But now that support for Android apps is active! Many Android apps are supported by many Chromebooks, Chromebases, and Chromeboxes. Thankfully, it has taken a while to arrive, and is now.
