ChromeOS is incredibly powerful and versatile, running on a variety of hardware and can also run a variety of apps. In addition to running Android apps from the Play Store, it is also possible to run full Linux apps. For many users, basic Chromebook functionality is just fine. However, if you want an app or service that your Chromebook doesn’t offer, Linux apps might be right for you.
What exactly can you accomplish by running Linux applications? ChromeOS is a cloud computing platform by default, which leaves out some desktop apps you might see on a Mac or PC. For example, if you need to run Photoshop natively, that’s not possible on your Chromebook. Video editing is also quite difficult by default on ChromeOS. Both of these problems are solved by Linux applications.
Also, if you are a developer, you definitely need Linux for coding tools. While not all Chromebooks support Linux apps (there are some basic system requirements), most modern Chromebooks will have the option available. In this guide, we explain exactly how to enable and install Linux apps on your Chromebook and run the best Linux apps available on ChromeOS.
How to Enable Linux Apps on ChromeOS
As mentioned earlier, you must first verify that your Chromebook actually supports Linux apps. Here’s how.
- Open ChromeOS Settings (by clicking the time box in the lower right corner of the desktop, then clicking the gear-shaped Settings icon).
- Click on the Advanced tab and select Developers.
- Click it Linux development environment option and choose To light up.
Follow the onscreen prompts to install Linux on your Chromebook. During the installation process, you will choose a username for the Linux environment. The username can be just about anything, so don’t worry too much about it. You’ll also need to decide how much storage you have available to dedicate to Linux, but this can be changed later.
The installation will take a few minutes, so a little patience is required. Once the installation is complete, you will see a terminal window like the one above. You are finally ready to download and install some Linux applications.
How to Download and Install Linux Apps on ChromeOS
There are two fairly easy ways to download and install Linux apps on your Chromebook. If you’re a command-line veteran, the terminal offers a quick method to install any app you might want. However, if you prefer to point and click, this is also possible for many applications. Let’s take a look at both options.
Installing Linux Applications Using Debian (.deb) Files
The easiest way to install Linux applications is to use the Debian extension file. You will find this installation package on the web page of the most popular Linux applications you are interested in. Slack is one of the most popular Linux apps, which is a complete team communication tool. If you go to the Slack Linux download page, you will notice the option to download as .deb file.
Downloading this file to your Chromebook will place it in the Downloads folder. If you open the Downloads folder and double-click on the given file, ChromeOS will install the software for you. The new app will now appear in your app drawer and can even be pinned to the dock.
It’s definitely the easiest way to install Linux apps, but sometimes a Debian file isn’t available for an app you want.
Installing Linux applications from the terminal
Using terminal commands is not so familiar to most Mac and PC users. The command line interface is at the heart of Linux productivity. For Debian no-download apps, you can use quick commands to easily install them. Before you start, it’s worth updating Linux using:
sudo apt-get update
You can now install some applications. Suppose you want to install the popular Photoshop replacement GIMP? Just run the command:
sudo apt-get install gimp-y
You will notice a wall of text scrolling along the command line – this is normal during installation. Upon completion, GIMP will be placed in your Linux applications folder inside the launcher. While using the command line isn’t too much work, it can sometimes be annoying to Google for the exact name of the program you need. You must enter the name accurately in the command line, otherwise this approach will not work.
Updating Linux apps
Sometimes you will need to update your Linux applications. Unlike apps on Android or iOS, you have to manually check for these updates. Conveniently, Linux lets you check for updates to all your installed apps at once. To do this, open the terminal and type:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
This dual command will check all of your apps for updates, then proceed to download any that are available.
Uninstalling Linux apps
You may also decide that you no longer need certain Linux apps on your Chromebook. Uninstalling applications is also done from the command line. For example, if you want to uninstall GIMP, open the terminal and type:
sudo apt-get remove gimp
It really is that simple. You can repeat this process for each app you want to uninstall.
Best Linux Apps for ChromeOS in 2022
GIMP
GIMP is a complete photo editing suite, similar to Photoshop but without the high price tag. If you’re a graphic designer transitioning to ChromeOS, you’ll find GIMP to be a must-have tool. Features and file types are precisely aligned with what you’d expect from other photo editing software. There are many advanced tools such as layers, lasso and many brushes to satisfy advanced users. If you need a photo editing app on your Chromebook, this is the only solution.
Download using:
sudo apt-get install gimp-y
free office
Microsoft Office is the king of word processing on PCs and Macs, but your Chromebook comes with Google Docs as the default word processor. Perhaps you would like a more robust program for editing documents and spreadsheets? If you need all the features offered by Microsoft Office, Libre Office is a solid replacement. You also get a presentation app, similar to Powerpoint. Libre Office supports a large number of file formats ranging from Microsoft Word to Apple Pages and Keynote. With Libre Office, you can easily continue working as usual on your Chromebook.
Download using:
sudo apt install -y libreoffice libreoffice-gtk3
Visual Studio code
If you’re going to use your Chromebook to code apps, Visual Studio Code is a great code editor. With support for several popular coding languages, you get auto-complete functionality and Git support for version control. With a sleek UI, optional extensions, and theme support, this is the robust code editor developers need on ChromeOS. Frequent coders might also consider picking up a nice docking station for their Chromebook, to boost productivity.
Download using:
Visit the Visual Studio Code download page and download the Debian file.
Audacity
For creators, you may need a nice app to record or edit audio. It is an advanced audio editor and recorder that comes in handy when you want to play with various audio files. Audacity has many features that allow you to create your own unique tracks or remix other songs. There are also many plugins available for Audacity that will allow you to connect to audio hardware and other audio programs. Overall, this is the best audio editing app you can get on your ChromeOS device.
Download using:
sudo apt-get install audacity -y
Kdenlive
Video editing is a big deal these days. Millions of people upload videos to Youtube, Twitch and Tiktok every hour. If you’re serious about video editing, switching to ChromeOS can be a bit daunting. Luckily, Kdenlive is a nice video editing program for Linux that can work on your Chromebook. Those of you familiar with using Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro will find the intuitive interface in no time. It should be noted that while Kdenlive works well on ChromeOS, you will need a fairly powerful Chromebook to take full advantage of this app.
Download using:
sudo apt-get install kdenlive -y
These are our favorite apps to get you started with Linux on one of the best Chromebooks. There are countless other Linux apps that can enhance your experience with ChromeOS as well. Perhaps the most exciting part of enabling Linux apps is exploring all the new possibilities. Linux has something for everyone, whether you need productivity apps, professional editing apps, or just want to enjoy media on your Chromebook.
Now that we’ve shared our favorites, please add your favorite Linux apps on ChromeOS in the comments below.
