How to install Linux apps on your Chromebook

You have heard talk of putting in Linux programs on your Chromebook, now discover out just how it’s accomplished.

Image: Jack Wallen

Google has last but not least built it this kind of that the set up of Linux applications has trickled down to even more Chromebooks. Circumstance in issue–what was at the time deemed the most luxurious Chromebook on the sector, the Pixel 2105. At this place a massive variety of Chromebooks can get pleasure from the included layer of Linux applications.

What does that suggest? It usually means that the slim-focused Chromebook becomes a a lot far more adept and adaptable unit. It signifies you can set up a completely-operating workplace suite, a strong picture editor, admin applications, and so a lot extra.

The only caveat to installing Linux applications on Chrome OS is that at the time you get beyond enabling the feature, there’s no GUI to help you along the way.

Which is exactly where I appear in.

I am going to wander you by means of the ways of enabling the installation of Linux applications on your Chromebook, and then putting in an application. You can expect to be amazed at how effortless this activity is.

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What you are going to require

The only matters you’ll need to have to install Linux purposes on your Chromebook are:

A supported Chromebook (to find out if your Chromebook is supported, look at out Google’s formal list)
A community link

How to enable Linux applications

The initial thing to be performed is the enabling of Linux applications. To do this, open the Chrome OS Options application and glimpse for Linux (Beta) in the still left navigation (Figure A).

Figure A

If you do not see the Linux entry in the sidebar, check to see if you can find an update for Chrome OS. If so, use it instantly. Linux help appeared in the most recent batch of equipment with variation 80..3987.58 of Chrome OS.

If you do see Linux (Beta) in the left navigation, simply click it and then, in the resulting window, click Switch On (Determine B).

Figure B

A new window will surface (Determine C), prompting you to click Put in. Do so and the set up will choose position.

Determine C

Launching the set up of Linux on Chrome OS.

When the set up completes (it does get a little bit of time), you will be introduced with a terminal window (Figure D). That terminal window suggests the set up was a good results and you’re now completely ready to put in apps.

Figure D

The set up of Linux on Chrome OS is entire.

How to install Linux computer software in Chrome OS

If you’ve carried out substantially perform on Linux, prospects are the relaxation is next mother nature. In get to set up Linux computer software on Chrome OS, you will do so from the command line. The command in problem is straight out of the Debian/Ubuntu community, and appears to be like like:

sudo apt-get set up Application -y

The place Application is the identify of the app you want to set up.

But ahead of you can do that, you need to have to initial update apt with the command:

sudo apt-get update

As soon as the update completes, you can then install program. Say, for instance, you want to put in the GIMP graphic editor. For that, problem the command:

sudo apt-get set up gimp -y

The GIMP will set up and you can expect to locate it all set to run in your Chrome OS desktop menu (Determine E).

Determine E

All of your Linux apps are observed in this folder.

A single closing note

Any time you want to set up a Linux software on Chrome OS, it is really done by way of the terminal window. You can pin that terminal app to the Chrome OS shelf, or you can often open the terminal from within the Linux applications folder. Just don’t forget, there is no created-in support for Linux application installation in any GUI at the second–so retain that terminal app handy.

And, need to the situation arise for you to remove a Linux application, the command is: