Chromebook users looking to run apps that are not available on the Google Play Store can do so by sideloading an Android Package Kit, commonly known as an APK, directly onto their device. While Chromebooks already support apps downloaded from the Play Store, along with certain Linux and progressive web apps, some users may want an Android app obtained from elsewhere on the internet that is not officially listed on the store. Doing so carries some risk, since Google does not verify apps installed outside the Play Store, so users are advised to confirm that any APK they intend to use is legitimate and free of malware before proceeding.
One option for sideloading involves enabling Developer Mode on the Chromebook, though this wipes all existing data on the device, making it a less practical route for anyone using a Chromebook that already has files and settings in place. A more targeted approach relies on Google’s official sideloading method using Android Debug Bridge, which works only on Chromebooks released after 2020 and requires the APK file to already be present on the device beforehand.
To use this method, users first need to enable Linux on their Chromebook through the Settings app, under the About ChromeOS section, by scrolling to Developers and setting up the Linux development environment, a process that includes allocating a portion of storage space for Linux. From there, users navigate to the Linux development environment settings, select Develop Android Apps, and toggle on ADB debugging, which prompts the Chromebook to restart. Once the system reboots, a message will indicate that the device may contain apps not verified by Google. From this point, users can open Terminal, select the Penguin option, install ADB if it is not already present using the command sudo apt install adb, and then connect to the device using adb connect arc, authorizing USB debugging when prompted. The final step involves moving the APK file into the Linux Files folder and installing it using the command adb install followed by the file name, after which the app becomes accessible through the ChromeOS launcher.
An alternative method involves running the sideloaded APK through an emulator in Android Studio. Users who do not already have Android Studio installed can locate the relevant package in their Downloads folder, move it to Linux Files, and install it through the Linux terminal using a command referencing the specific package file. Once Android Studio is set up, users can create an Android Virtual Device, simulating a phone, tablet, Wear OS device, Android TV, or Automotive OS environment depending on their preference, with tablet and Android TV formats offering a landscape layout. From there, the APK can simply be dragged and dropped onto the emulator screen, after which an installer prompt appears and the app becomes available within the emulator’s app list.
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