Google Play Store is not available on all Chromebooks, but if you have an Asus Chromebook added, you can easily add it. The Play Store gives you access to millions of apps, games, movies, TV shows, and books. If you want to add the Google Play Store to your Asus Chromebook, follow these steps:
To begin, make sure that your Chromebook is up to date. You can check for updates by clicking on the Settings icon in the bottom right corner of the screen and then selecting “About Chrome OS.” If there is an update available, click on the “Update” button. Once your Chromebook is up to date, you can proceed to the next step.
Next, you need to enable the Google Play Store on your Chromebook. To do this, click on the Settings icon in the bottom right corner of the screen and then select “Apps.” Under the “Google Play Store” section, click on the “Enable” button. Once you have enabled the Google Play Store, you can sign in to your Google account and start downloading apps.
Preparing Your Chromebook for Play Store Installation
Before embarking on the steps to add the Play Store to your Asus Chromebook, it’s crucial to ensure your device meets the necessary prerequisites. These steps will help you prepare your Chromebook for a seamless Play Store installation.
Enabling Developer Mode
The Play Store is not inherently available on Chromebooks. To gain access, we must enable Developer Mode, which allows for the installation of external applications. Enabling Developer Mode will reset your device, so it’s essential to back up any important data beforehand. To enable Developer Mode:
- Hold down the Esc and Refresh keys while pressing the Power button.
- When the recovery screen appears, select Developer mode.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.
Enabling Unknown Sources
After enabling Developer Mode, the next step is to allow your Chromebook to install applications from unknown sources. This setting is necessary to sideload the Play Store APK file, which is not officially distributed by Google. To enable unknown sources:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down to the Linux (Beta) section and select Manage Linux settings.
- Under Linux settings, toggle the Allow installation of third-party software option to On.
Additional Considerations
Before proceeding with the Play Store installation, it’s worth noting these additional considerations:
| Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Chrome OS Updates | Installing the Play Store may prevent your Chromebook from automatically receiving future Chrome OS updates. |
| App Compatibility | Not all Android apps are compatible with Chromebooks. Refer to the Google Play Store Compatibility List for supported apps. |
| Security | Enable Developer Mode only when necessary, as it can potentially compromise the security of your Chromebook. |
Enabling Developer Mode
1. Checking Compatibility
Ensure your Asus Chromebook supports Developer Mode by checking its compatibility. Refer to Asus’s official website or research online for specific models. If compatible, proceed to the next step.
2. Turning Off Verified Boot
Access your Chromebook’s BIOS by pressing the “Esc” + “Refresh” + “Power” keys simultaneously. Navigate to the “Security” tab, find the “Verified Boot” option, and disable it by selecting “Disabled.”
3. Entering Developer Mode (Detailed Steps)
a. Enable Developer Mode Option:
Return to the BIOS settings by pressing “Esc” + “Refresh” + “Power” again. In the “Developer Mode” section, switch the option to “Enabled.” A warning screen will appear; read it carefully before proceeding.
b. Powerwash and Reinstall Chrome OS:
Select “Powerwash” from the warning screen. This will erase all data from your Chromebook, so ensure you have backups. After the Powerwash completes, the Chromebook will automatically reinstall Chrome OS.
c. Sign In with Developer Account:
Once the reinstallation is complete, sign in with a Google account that has developer privileges. If you don’t have one, create a new account at developers.google.com.
| Developer Account Privileges |
|---|
| Enable USB debugging |
| Unlock bootloader |
| Install custom firmware |
Sideloading the Play Store APK
If the previous methods fail, you can attempt to sideload the Play Store APK manually. This involves downloading the APK file from a trusted source (such as APKMirror) and installing it on your Chromebook. Here are the steps:
1. Download the Play Store APK file from a trusted source.
2. Enable “Unknown sources” in your Chromebook’s settings.
3. Open the Downloads folder in the Files app and click on the Play Store APK file.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Play Store APK.
– After clicking on the Play Store APK file, you may see a warning message stating that the app may harm your device. Click on “OK” to continue.
– You may also see a message stating that the app is not compatible with your device. If you see this message, click on “Install anyway.”
– Once the Play Store APK is installed, click on “Open” to launch the Play Store app.
5. Sign in to your Google account to access the Play Store.
6. You may need to restart your Chromebook for the changes to take effect.
Once the Play Store is installed, you can install and use Android apps on your Asus Chromebook as desired.
Downloading the Play Store APK
To get the Play Store back on your Asus Chromebook, you’ll need to download the APK file. Here are the detailed steps:
1. Enable Developer Mode:
– Press and hold the Esc + Refresh keys, then press the Power button to turn on your Chromebook.
– When the “Chrome OS is missing or damaged” message appears, press Ctrl + D.
– Hit Enter to confirm.
– A message about developer mode will appear. Press Ctrl + D again.
2. Enable USB Debugging:
– Select the gear icon in the tray to open Settings.
– Click “Advanced” in the left sidebar.
– Under “Developers,” toggle on “USB Debugging.”
3. Install ADB and Platform Tools:
– Download the Android Platform Tools for your operating system.
– Extract the downloaded zip file to a folder on your computer.
4. Connect Your Chromebook:
– Connect your Chromebook to your computer using a USB cable.
5. Download the Play Store APK:
– Open a terminal window (Command Prompt on Windows, Terminal on Mac).
– Navigate to the directory where you extracted the Platform Tools.
– Run the following command to allow ADB access on your Chromebook:
adb devices
– Grant access on your Chromebook when prompted.
– Run this command to download the Play Store APK:
adb install --grant-permissions com.android.vending-16.4.43-arm64-v8a.apk
The Play Store will now be installed on your Chromebook.
Installing the Play Store APK
To install the Play Store APK on your Asus Chromebook, you will need to follow these steps:
- Enable Developer Mode:
- Enable Unknown Sources:
- Download the Play Store APK:
- Install the Play Store APK:
- Open the Play Store:
- Sign In to Your Google Account:
First, you need to enable Developer Mode on your Chromebook. To do this, press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a terminal window. Then, type in the following command and press Enter:
shell
Next, type in the following command and press Enter:
sudo /usr/sbin/chromeos-devswitch-update -force
This will enable Developer Mode on your Chromebook.
Once Developer Mode is enabled, you need to enable Unknown Sources. To do this, go to Settings > Security and Privacy > App security. Then, toggle on the switch next to “Allow installation of apps from unknown sources.”
Now, you need to download the Play Store APK. You can do this by visiting the following website: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/google-play-store/google-play-store-release/.
Once the APK is downloaded, save it to your Chromebook.
To install the Play Store APK, open the Files app on your Chromebook. Then, navigate to the folder where you saved the APK. Double-click on the APK file to begin the installation process.
Once the Play Store is installed, you can open it by clicking on the Play Store icon in the app drawer.
To use the Play Store, you need to sign in to your Google account. To do this, click on the profile icon in the top-right corner of the Play Store window. Then, click on the “Sign in” button and enter your Google account credentials.
Disabling Developer Mode (Optional)
If you’ve enabled Developer Mode to install the Play Store on your Chromebook, you can restore it to its original state by disabling Developer Mode. Here’s how:
Checking Developer Mode Status
To determine if your Chromebook is in Developer Mode, press Esc + Refresh + Power while the device is turned on. If the warning screen appears, Developer Mode is active. Otherwise, Developer Mode is disabled.
Disabling Developer Mode
To disable Developer Mode:
- Press Esc + Refresh + Power. The warning screen will appear.
- Press Ctrl + D. A confirmation screen will appear.
- Press Enter. Your Chromebook will restart and Developer Mode will be disabled.
After disabling Developer Mode, your Chromebook will be reset to its factory settings, and any installed apps, including the Play Store, will be removed. You can now re-enable the Play Store using the methods described in the subsequent sections.
Enabling Unknown Sources
To enable unknown sources, follow these steps:
-
Open the Settings app on your Chromebook.
-
Click on the “Security” tab.
-
Scroll down to the “Unknown sources” section.
-
Toggle the switch to the “On” position.
-
A warning message will appear. Click on the “OK” button.
-
You will now be able to install apps from unknown sources.
The following table summarizes the steps for enabling unknown sources:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Settings app |
| 2 | Click on the “Security” tab |
| 3 | Scroll down to the “Unknown sources” section |
| 4 | Toggle the switch to the “On” position |
| 5 | Click on the “OK” button |
Note: Enabling unknown sources can pose security risks. Only enable this setting if you trust the source of the app you are installing.
Troubleshooting Tips
1. Restart the Chromebook
A simple restart can resolve many minor issues, including Play Store access problems. Click on the power button in the bottom-right corner and select “Restart.”
2. Check the Date and Time
Incorrect date and time settings can interfere with Google services, including Play Store access. Click the time in the bottom-right corner, then select “Settings”> “Date and time.” Ensure your Chromebook is set to the correct time zone and date.
3. Clear Play Store Data
Clearing the Play Store’s data can resolve cache or corrupted data issues. Click the “Launcher” button, then select “All apps” and find “Google Play Store.” Right-click on it and select “App info”> “Storage”> “Clear data.”
4. Uninstall and Reinstall Play Store
Uninstalling and reinstalling the Play Store fixes severe issues and corrupted installations. Click the “Launcher” button, then select “All apps” and find “Google Play Store.” Right-click on it and select “Uninstall.” Once uninstalled, click the “Play Store” icon in the bottom-right corner to reinstall it.
5. Powerwash the Chromebook
A Powerwash resets the Chromebook to its factory settings, which may resolve persistent Play Store issues. Click the power button in the bottom-right corner and select “Settings”> “Advanced”> “Powerwash.” Be aware that this will erase all data on the Chromebook.
6. Contact Google Support
If you continue to experience Play Store issues, contact Google Support. They have access to advanced troubleshooting tools and can provide further assistance.
Getting the Play Store Back on Your Asus Chromebook
If you’ve recently performed a factory reset on your Asus Chromebook or purchased a new model that doesn’t have the Play Store installed by default, don’t worry. You can easily get it back with a few simple steps:
- Make sure your Chromebook is running Chrome OS version 53 or later.
- Open the Settings menu and click on “Apps.”
- Click on the “Google Play Store” and then click on “Enable.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Once the Play Store is installed, you’ll be able to access millions of Android apps and games. To download an app, simply open the Play Store and search for the app you want. Once you’ve found the app, click on the “Install” button. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically.
People Also Ask
How do I check what version of Chrome OS I’m running?
To check what version of Chrome OS you’re running, open the Settings menu and click on “About Chrome OS.” The version number will be listed under “Chrome OS version.”
Can I install the Play Store on any Chromebook?
No, not all Chromebooks are compatible with the Play Store. To check if your Chromebook is compatible, open the Settings menu and click on “Apps.” If you see the “Google Play Store” option, then your Chromebook is compatible.
What if I’m having trouble installing the Play Store?
If you’re having trouble installing the Play Store, try the following troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure your Chromebook is connected to the internet.
- Restart your Chromebook.
- Contact Asus support for assistance.
