June Wan/

Chromebooks are a brilliant mobile option for so many people. Not only do they greatly simplify many of the processes for using a laptop, but they are also secure, rarely suffer from slowdowns, and (should something go wrong) are very easy to reset back to factory defaults. 

But for some, the lack of actual apps makes ChromeOS a questionable choice. Fortunately, it's not only possible to enable Linux (and install Linux apps) on your Chromebook, but it's also possible to enable the installation of Android apps. Once you have this feature enabled, you can install any app from the Google Play Store to turn your Chromebook into a more robust and flexible laptop.

Also: The best Chromebooks for students (and why they're great)

With this method, you can install alternative browsers, an actual email client, and even an office suite.

Of course, there's a caveat. You might find some apps don't work as expected. This can occur when an app isn't optimized for a larger display (like a tablet). Even apps that aren't optimized can still work (they just might be a bit small). Another issue is that if an app depends on phone functionality, it won't work. Lastly, not every Chromebook is supported. Here's a convenient list of ChromeOS hardware that does support Android apps. 

With all of that said, I'll show you how to enable Android app support and how to install your first application.

How to enable Android apps on your Chromebook

1. Open Settings

The first step is to open the Settings app. 

Click the System Tray at the bottom-right corner of your screen and then click the gear icon. 

Accessing the Settings app through the ChromeOS System Tray.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/

2. Go to Apps and click Turn on

In the resulting window, scroll down until you see the Apps section and then click Turn on.

The Settings app displays the Apps section of ChromeOS.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/

3. Accept the Terms of Service

You will then need to accept the Terms of Service. 

The Terms and Services for adding Android apps to ChromeOS.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/

4. Click Accept

You can opt out of backing up your Android apps to Google Drive, if you like. Click More, and then when prompted, click Accept.

Accepting the Terms of Service and enabling or disabling the Google Drive backup and location usage.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/

5. Wait for the installation to complete

The installation will begin and should complete fairly quickly. Once the installation completes, you'll be taken back to the Settings window and then the Google Play Store window will eventually open, where you can install your first app. 

Also: The best Chromebooks for work

Before you do, the Play Store will install the Android Accessibility Suite in the background. You need to allow that to finish before installing anything. If you find the Google Play Store keeps crashing, it means the Accessibility Suite isn't done installing. Give it time and it'll finish.

Installing your first Android app on ChromeOS

The installation of Android apps on ChromeOS is handled in the same way you'd install them on your Android phone. Say, for instance, you want to install the Firefox web browser. To do that, type Firefox in the search bar of the Google Play Store app. 

The Google Play Store running on a Chromebook.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/

On the resulting page, click Install and allow the installation to complete.

Installing Firefox on ChromeOS.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/

When the installation finishes, you'll find the app available in the ChromeOS launcher.

Also: Firefox for Android just got an important privacy feature: How it could benefit you

And that's all there is to installing Android apps on ChromeOS. Once you start installing applications, you'll find this helps to bring your Chromebook to the next level of productivity. Just remember: If you install an app that doesn't function properly and you don't wind up using it, delete it from your Chromebook so it's not taking up precious space.

See also

These are my 5 favorite AI chatbot apps for AndroidHow to transfer data from Android to an iPhone quickly and easilyHow to enable the free Google One VPN on your Pixel deviceHow to customize your Pixel screensaver (and why you should)

• These are my 5 favorite AI chatbot apps for Android
• How to transfer data from Android to an iPhone quickly and easily
• How to enable the free Google One VPN on your Pixel device
• How to customize your Pixel screensaver (and why you should)