how to download android apps on chromebook easy How to Install Android Apps From APK Files on Chromebook. Android apps coming to Chromebooks might very well be the defining moment for Google’s Chrome OS platform. In our usage of Android apps on Chromebook, we have found Chromebook’s functionality to have multiplied innumerably. However, there’s one catch, that is, many apps on the Play Store aren’t compatible with the Chromebook. For instance, apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Uber, Inbox by Gmail, Chromecast, PayPal and more are incompatible because of various reasons like the fact that Play Store treats the Chromebook as an Android 6.0 tablet, the lack of GPS on Chromebooks etc. Thankfully, you can always sideload Android apps through APK files but Chromebook natively does not support these files. The good news is, there’s a way to install APK files on Chromebook and that’s what we are about to tell you. So, without further ado, let’s get on with it, shall we? Note: To install APKs, you will have to enable “Unknown Sources” and the option is only available on Chromebooks with developer mode enabled. To do it, check out our detailed post on how to enable developer mode on Chromebook. The Play Store is available on the Chrome OS 53 update through the developer channel and it’s only available for Chromebook Flip , as of now. So, before you try to install any APK files, check out our post on how to get Play Store. If you have the aforementioned Chrome OS build, here are the steps to install APK files on Chromebook: 1. Firstly, you will need a file manager Android app from the Play Store. So, open up Play Store and install the file manager you want. We used Solid Explorer in our test. 2. Then, download the APK files of apps you want to install from APKMirror.com. Meanwhile, go to Chrome OS Settings and click on “ App Settings ” in the Android Apps section. 3. The Android like Settings page should open up. Here, go to Security and turn on “Unknown sources” . 4. Once the APK file is downloaded, open the file manager app and go to the Downloads folder. Here, open the APK file and you should see the usual app installation interface from Android. Press “ Install “. 5. The app installation might take a little longer than usual but the good news is, all the APKs we tried to install, did install without any fuss. Once the app is installed, tap “Open” to start using the app. Note : While most of the apps install via the APK files route, not all of them work. For instance, Instagram works fine but apps like Uber, which require location services don’t work. Use Android Apps that are incompatible on the Play Store. Well, that was pretty easy, right? So, basically, you can now easily install apps that are incompatible with the Chromebook on the Play Store. So, install your favorite Android apps on your Chromebook with ease and do let us know your experience. Sound off in the comments section below and stay tuned for more articles related to Android apps on Chromebook, as we discover more about it. TAGS. 25 COMMENTS. dude. yes there is. press search/launcher button> enter in ‘settings’> apps> google play store> manage android settings> apps> special app access> install unknown apps. How to install Dragon Raja on chromebook? It doesn’t work in this way, is there some other way? It did not work I can’t even find the app settings tab. This is the only reason i went into developer mode. The alternate way in some copy-pasted replies don’t work either. Totally worthless instructions. There is no “Unknown Sources” settings in my Toshiba Chromebook Settings. Why post this when its totally misleading? thank you so much, it actually worked. hey how do i get to chromeOS settings?? there is normal settings on my chromebook, but it shows none of what you talk about. yes, this is 2020 and this was made long time ago so its not the same. press search/launcher button> enter in ‘settings’> apps> google play store> manage android settings> apps> special app access> install unknown apps. there is no longer a toggle and you have to download the apk first, go back to there and install it. Doesn’t work on my HP 2 in 1 Chromebook as I still get the message to “turn on Chrome developer mode….”. I still have to go the Linux route, figures–leave it to HP. There is nothing like Apps Setting option in HP-CHROMEBOOK. Hey Beebom,Is there any way to install app on chromium os by cloudready. How do you get XAPK files onto your chromebook? I had tried this process on my Acer chromebook 15 and works out nicely! So happy, now that I can run not only regular google play apps but APK app files as well! this is gargabe. there is no such thing as unknown sources. its hard i spent 30 minutes finding it and please make sure to check post time before you shit on a post. Where in ChromeOS settings is there a section for “App settings”? Utter bollocks. If you can’t write instructions properly, don’t bother. Shit instructions. A “Geek”? My arse. yes, this is 2020 and this was made long time ago so its not the same. press search/launcher button> enter in ‘settings’> apps> google play store> manage android settings> apps> special app access> install unknown apps. there is no longer a toggle and you have to download the apk first, go back to there and install it. I have gone to developer mode manually but is still greyed out. Can you please tell me what is wrong? Ditto. This info is simply wrong. Look at the time of post before you comment stuff like that. “Unknown Sources” is greyed out on my new Asus Flip C302CA with latest Chrome OS and with Android Beta Channel enabled. Because it is greyed out, I cannot turn it on. Did you set your Chromebook to developer mode through a powerwash? did you find out how to enable the “Unkown sources” when they are greyed out? Can you do a similar exercise with the Asus Chromebit? um hi im trying to do this on my school chromebook and i downloaded the apk file but i don’t have where it says manage apps can you give me a step by step guide on how to do the rest. Thank you if you reply. please i have followed your procedure but the app setting is not showing. what should i do. thank you. How to Sideload Android Apps on Chromebook without Developer Mode. Following the recent announcement, Google has finally brought the ability to install Android apps on Chromebook without Developer Mode. This is truly great and path-breaking for both developers as well as the Chrome OS enthusiast community. You can finally install Android APKs on your Chromebook which are not available on the Play Store, and for that, you don’t have to sacrifice your security. So without any delay, let’s go ahead and learn how to sideload Android apps on Chromebook. Note: Want to learn how to sideload Android apps on Android TV? Follow our linked guide to find out. Sideload Android Apps on Chromebook without Developer Mode in 2021. Before we begin, make sure your Chromebook is updated to Chrome OS 86 or above. You can update your Chrome OS build from Settings -> About Chrome OS. Apart from that, note that you don’t need to move to any other update channel or Developer mode. The ability to sideload Android apps on Chromebook has already moved to the Stable channel. Set Up ADB on Chromebook. 1. Open Settings and turn on Linux (Beta) from the left menu. If you don’t know how to do it, follow our guide and learn how to set up Linux on Chromebook. 2. After setting up Linux, open Settings again and navigate to Linux -> Develop Android Apps -> Enable the toggle for ADB Debugging . Now, restart your Chromebook and an ADB prompt will come up after the reboot. Click on “Allow” and you are done. Note: In case, ADB toggle is not turning on then you will have to reset your Chromebook. A similar thing happened with our machine and power washing the Chromebook resolved the issue. 3. Now, open Terminal from the app drawer and execute the below command to install the ADB platform tools . 4. After the installation, run the below command to connect the Android system with Linux on Chrome OS . Remember, your Chromebook should be connected to a WiFi network for this to work. 5. A window will instantly open up to “Allow USB Debugging”. Enable the checkbox for “Always allow” and then click on the “Ok” button. By now, you have successfully set up the base. 6. If you are getting an error saying “ can’t connect to 100.115.92.2:5555 connection refused ” then open Settings -> Apps on the left pane -> Google Play Store -> Manage Android Preferences -> System -> About Device. Click on “Build number” for 7-8 times continuously. It will enable the Developer Options. 7. Now, go back to the System page again and open Developer Options. Here, enable “ADB Debugging” . 8. If the Terminal shows “Permission Denied” or “Command Not Found” error then run the below command and then try again with the adb connect command mentioned above. Install Android APK on Chromebook.