How to Turn on Linux App Mode on Chromebooks

This updated guide examines How to Turn on Linux App Mode on Chromebooks and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Why Linux?

You might be wondering why it's Linux, because a Chromebook doesn't already do everything you want to do? If that's the case for you, great! But if you're still reading this article, you probably want your Chromebook to do more. Chromebooks are evolving their ability to use Linux. It all started to change.

Google's intention is to provide the features available to the software being developed through this platform. By activating the Linux platform (Beta), also known as Crostini , Chromebook users will now be able to install command line tools, code editors and IDEs.

Manage Chromebook settings

A Chromebook is a very simple device, but managing settings is important. To do this, very similar to managing Android devices, you have many options.

First, you can click on Clock, located at the bottom right of the taskbar.

Or you can click the Google search icon at the bottom left of the taskbar, then search for 'settings'.

Prerequisites for Linux (Beta)

Before trying to install Linux (Beta) on Chromebooks, you'll want to make sure your Chrome OS is up to date. Also, depending on the chipset, some older Chromebooks may not support Crostini.

To update Chrome OS, do the following:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Select 'About Chrome OS' .

3. Click 'Check for Updates' .

Install Linux mode (Beta)

Turning on Linux (Beta) mode on Google Chromebook is quite easy. As stated above, any major adjustments to Chromebooks will begin in the Settings window . Navigate to Settings and then select 'Linux (Beta)'.

From there, select 'Turn On'. This will launch the installation.

Click on Install.

Now sit back and wait, as this can take as many as 10 minutes, depending on the resources on your Chromebook model. When the installation is completed, you will see a terminal window appear.

Once you have access to the terminal window, as with any new Linux installation, initialize your first set of update commands. To update your Linux version, enter the following command:

sudo apt update sudo apt -y upgrade

You will notice that unlike Linux on the desktop, you do not need to enter a password when using the sudo command.

Alternatively, you can start installing Linux applications, such as LibreOffice, with the following command:

sudo apt install libreoffice

The default distribution used is Crostini, but you can easily convert it to Ubuntu, if you want a more up-to-date application store.

In the future, there will be more and more functions that Chromebooks can perform with Linux. The possibilities are endless, from productivity applications to many tools related to network security.

Hope you are succesful.