How-toChromebook

How to install apps on a Chromebook

Add apps and extensions to a Chromebook from Google Play and the Chrome Web Store, turn on the Play Store, remove apps, and see why an app will not install.

  • Updated
  • 10 min
  • Beginner
Applies to
  • Chromebook

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Apps on a Chromebook come from different places than on a Windows PC or a Mac. Find where to get them, turn on the Google Play Store, add browser extensions, and remove what you no longer use.

What kinds of app a Chromebook can use

A Chromebook does not run the Windows or Mac programs you download from websites. Instead you can use these:

Where Chromebook apps come from
KindWhere you get itNotes
Android appsGoogle Play StoreOnly on Chromebooks that support them. Not available on ChromeOS Flex.
ExtensionsChrome Web StoreAdd features to the Chrome browser. They appear as toolbar buttons.
Web appsA developer's website, through ChromeRun in Chrome and appear in the launcher.
WebsitesChromeMany tools, such as Google Docs, need no install at all.

Linux apps are also possible on some Chromebooks, but they are an advanced option that is off by default and not covered here.

School and work Chromebooks

If your Chromebook belongs to a school or employer, you may not be able to add the Play Store, apps or extensions. An administrator decides this. Ask them rather than looking for a workaround.

Installing an app4 numbered steps, one under the other. The full text follows the picture.Installing an app1Find itOpen Play Store or ChromeWeb Store and search2Check itRead who made it and what itcan access3InstallSelect Install, or Add toChrome4Open itFind it in the launcher
The same idea applies in the Play Store and the Chrome Web Store.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Find it: Open Play Store or Chrome Web Store and search
  2. Check it: Read who made it and what it can access
  3. Install: Select Install, or Add to Chrome
  4. Open it: Find it in the launcher

Turn on the Google Play Store

Update ChromeOS first, because Google says that you need an up-to-date version to get Android apps. See how to update ChromeOS.

  1. Select the time at the bottom right of the screen.
  2. Select Settings, then Apps, then Manage Google Play preferences. The path is Settings then Apps then Manage Google Play preferences.
  3. In the window that opens, select More.
  4. Read and agree to the Terms of Service on the screen if you accept them.

If you cannot find Manage Google Play preferences, your Chromebook does not support Android apps. Google says the Play Store is available only on some Chromebooks.

Install an Android app from Google Play

  1. Open the Play Store app from the launcher (the button at the bottom left of the shelf).
  2. Search for the app by name, or browse.
  3. Select the app, check the developer's name, then select Install. Paid apps show a price instead.
  4. When it finishes, open the launcher to find the app.

Apps you have on your phone or tablet are not copied across automatically. You have to install them again on the Chromebook. Some apps do not work on a Chromebook at all. Google says the Play Store and downloaded apps work only with the account that signed in to the Chromebook first.

Add an extension or a web app from the Chrome Web Store

  1. Open the Chrome browser and go to the Chrome Web Store.
  2. To add an extension, select Extensions on the left. Then browse or search.
  3. Select the item, then select Add to Chrome.
  4. Read the list of data it can access. If you are comfortable, select Add extension.

Extensions then appear as buttons on the Chrome toolbar. Google says you cannot add extensions in a guest session or on a school or work Chromebook.

Turning off the Play Store erases app data

If you later turn the Play Store off, Google says your Android app data and settings are erased from the Chromebook. Back up anything you need first.

Install only what you need, from the official stores

Use the Play Store and the Chrome Web Store only. Never install an extension because a pop-up or an email says your computer needs it, or because a stranger asks you to. Check the maker's name, and be careful with extensions that ask to read every website you visit. Fewer apps and extensions also keep the Chromebook faster. See how to install software safely.

Check that it worked

Select the launcher at the bottom left. Your new app should be in the list or when you type its name in the search box. An extension shows as a button on the toolbar. If you do not see it, select the puzzle-piece button on the toolbar, which lists extensions.

Remove an app or extension

  1. For an app, open the launcher and right-click the app (or touch and hold on a touchscreen).
  2. Select Uninstall (some apps show Remove from Chrome), then confirm.
  3. For an extension, open Chrome, select the three-dot More menu, then More tools, then Extensions.
  4. Select Remove beside the extension, then confirm by selecting Remove again.

To pause an extension without removing it, switch off its toggle on the Extensions page.

If an app will not install

  • Restart the Chromebook, check you are online (see Chromebook Wi-Fi problems), and update ChromeOS.
  • If the Play Store says your device is not compatible, your model lacks something the app needs, or the developer has not made it for Chromebooks. Look for a web version of the service instead.
  • If an app installs but crashes, see app will not install or run.
  • If the Chromebook feels slow after adding many apps, see Chromebook slow or frozen.

Frequently asked questions

Can I install Windows programs on a Chromebook?

Not directly. Look for the same service as a website, an Android app or a Chrome extension. A Chromebook does not run files such as .exe programs.

Can I use the Play Store on an old PC with ChromeOS Flex?

No. Android apps and the Play Store are not available on ChromeOS Flex. See install ChromeOS Flex on an old PC.

Do apps cost money?

Many are free, and some are paid. The store page shows the price before you install, and a paid app shows a price instead of Install.

Will my apps come back after a reset?

A reset clears local apps and settings, so back up first. After you sign in again you will probably need to reinstall Android apps, so note which ones you use first. See how to reset a Chromebook.

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Official resources used

Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.

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