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You can install Linux apps on a Chromebook using its built-in Linux development environment, but that environment is Debian—not Ubuntu. Open Settings > About ChromeOS > Developers > Linux development environment > Set up, then install compatible software through APT or, for supported packages, the Files app. You do not need to replace ChromeOS with Ubuntu.
What “Ubuntu Linux” means on a Chromebook
ChromeOS is not Ubuntu, and Google’s built-in Linux development environment does not install Ubuntu. Google Chromebook Help puts it plainly: “You have a Debian environment.” The environment includes a Linux terminal and APT, Debian’s command-line package manager. It is the usual Chromebook route for running compatible Linux desktop and developer software.
Linux is not the only way to add apps. Play Store apps and web apps are separate options; they do not install as Debian packages. Choose the route that supports the app’s features and works on your device.
Check whether Linux is available
- Device support: Linux development environment availability depends on the Chromebook model. Check Google’s supported-device information.
- Administrator controls: On a work- or school-managed Chromebook, an administrator may disable Linux or restrict related features. Ask the administrator if the setup option is missing or blocked; do not try to bypass the restriction.
Set up the Linux development environment
- Open the time area in the lower-right corner, then select Settings.
- Go to About ChromeOS > Developers.
- Next to Linux development environment, select Set up and follow the prompts.
- Wait for setup to finish. Google estimates that setup can take 10 minutes or more; Terminal opens when the environment is ready.
Google’s setup instructions cover the environment and its requirements.
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Choose an installation method
| Method | Package source | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| APT in Terminal | A package in the Debian repositories configured for the environment | The correct package name and whether the package is available for that environment. See Google for Developers’ Linux setup guidance. |
Debian .deb through Files |
A downloaded Debian package supplied by the app vendor | The vendor’s supported Debian version and the Chromebook’s processor architecture. ChromeOS.dev documents this graphical installation route in its Linux setup guide. |
Install a package with APT
Open Terminal and use APT with the package name listed by the app’s vendor or the configured Debian repositories. The exact name and availability vary by app, so do not assume that the product name is also its package name. Consult the vendor’s current installation instructions when the package is unavailable or needs additional setup.
Install a downloaded .deb file
Download a Debian package only from a source you trust. In the Files app, locate the downloaded .deb and open it to follow the installation prompts. This route is for compatible Debian packages, not arbitrary Linux downloads: verify the app’s requirements and processor architecture with its vendor. If Files does not offer installation or the package fails, follow the vendor’s current instructions rather than forcing an incompatible package.
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Know the limits before relying on a Linux app
Google documents Linux apps as running in a shared sandbox. A harmful Linux app can affect other Linux apps, but Google says it cannot affect the rest of the Chromebook. Files and permissions shared with Linux are available to all Linux apps, so share only what those apps need.
Google’s Chromebook Help page also documents limitations for its Linux environment: cameras, Android emulators, and hardware acceleration—including GPU and video decode—are not supported. Android devices are supported over USB, but other devices are not; ChromeVox support is limited to the default Terminal app. These are platform-specific, time-sensitive statements from Google’s Linux support documentation; check that page for the current status if one of these features matters to you.
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When a Play Store or web app is a better fit
If the software is available as an Android app or works in a browser, you may not need Linux. Google documents app options in its guidance for recommended Chromebook apps and web apps. For a web app, open its site in Chrome and choose Install page as app… from the menu, or use the install control in the address bar when it appears. Some web apps offer offline features, but Google cautions that they may not work completely without an internet connection.
Pick based on the app you need, its required desktop or hardware features, whether it must work offline, and any administrator restrictions. Installing an Android app, a web app, and a Debian Linux package are different processes.
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Troubleshoot Linux setup or package problems
- Linux setup is unavailable: Confirm that the Chromebook supports Linux and, if managed, ask the administrator whether it is allowed.
- A package cannot be found: Check the exact package name and whether it is in the Debian repositories configured for the environment. Otherwise, see whether the vendor provides a compatible Debian package.
- A .deb will not install or run: Recheck the vendor’s requirements and device architecture, then use the vendor’s current installation guidance.
- Linux is not working as expected: Google suggests restarting the Chromebook and running
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgradein Terminal. Review prompts before confirming package changes.
Google says Linux checks for new packages after setup and every 24 hours while running; some changes may require a restart.
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