Google Play Store on Chromebooks: What You Need to Know

The company at Google’s annual IO developer event in May announced What could be the biggest news of recent years for Android and Chrome OS? After that rumors In April, Google officially approved the Google Play Store, and nearly 1.5 million Android apps are coming to Chromebooks everywhere. Now that multiple Chromebooks run Android apps, here’s what owners need to know.

The first Chromebook to run Google’s cloud-based Chrome OS was released in 2011, and they’ve been gaining momentum ever since. In fact, we recently learned that they have surpassed the MacBook and are now the 2nd best-selling computer in Q1 and Q2 2016. To make things even better, we can now run Android apps.

Google mentioned this idea back in 2014, but it never happened. Fast forward now and this dream is finally coming true. Transforming many powerful budget laptops into highly capable machines with more to offer and access to over a million applications.

The company built Chrome OS as a fast, simple and secure operating system for manufacturers to create inexpensive laptops for millions of users to enjoy, and that’s exactly what happened. Most of the hardware found inside a smartphone offers large 11, 13 or 15-inch screens at a low price point. Most often it is around $199 or $299.

Then Google launched the Chromebook Pixel and a second model in 2015 to rival Apple’s top-of-the-line MacBook Pro for $999. With a one-piece aluminum frame, powerful processor, beautiful HD touchscreen and USB Type-C. Making it one of the best Chromebooks money can buy, but still limited in potential.

It’s now official, as of this summer the Google Play Store and all its apps work with select Chromebooks. Not just some apps, as long as the developers make the necessary changes.

Chrome OS 53 launched rolling (June 16) On the developer channel, an easy transition for Chromebook owners. This is the version that supports Google Play Store. ASUS Chromebook Flip was the first, and after the update, owners will have Google Play Store pre-installed and will be able to download apps. It’s also arrived for the Chromebook Pixel and a few others.

In July, the update enabling Google Play Store and Android apps was released for ASUS Flip, Chromebook Pixel (2015) and Acer R11. And now in November free For HP 13, Samsung Chromebook 3, Dell 13 and ASUS C301SA. Remember, go to settings and change the developer channel to get it. A stable version is also coming soon.

When Will Google Play Coming to Chrome OS?

In mid-June, Google released an updated developer channel “M53” supporting Google Play Store. We’ve seen stable versions released since then, followed by developer previews for other devices on the market.

Owners will be able to download and use the most popular Android apps on Chromebooks. Be it Clash of Clans for casual games between Microsoft Word apps, Google Docs, essays and work tasks, Minecraft, Skype and more. Essentially all Android apps. Including Photoshop for Android, that works too.

There are quite a number of supported devices as of now, but not all of them have access. We can expect any Chromebook released after this to have full support for Google Play.

Which Chromebooks Will Be Supported?

Giving all users on Chrome OS access to the Google Play Store is a big task and there are many moving parts. Because apps require users to touch the screen, certain Chromebooks are given access first, especially those with touchscreens.

The first devices with Google Play Store support were the ASUS Chromebook Flip, Acer Chromebook R11 and the latest Chromebook Pixel (2015). And since then, many have taken it. In the week of November 14, we saw four more people get support.

Here’s the full list of Chromebooks that support the Google Play Store: found here. It’s a pretty big list where most new models will be supported in the near future. If the list is not completely up to date, it will be soon.

Upcoming Devices

Google noted that the company has been working hard with 3rd party manufacturers, probably many big names like HP, Acer, Toshiba, and more, to create great Chromebooks with the Google Play Store in mind. That means we can expect a number of releases later this year or early 2017 with full support for Play Store or Android apps.

How does it work?

Let’s call it Google magic. Everything works natively on Chrome OS. So there are no other programs or streaming apps to install. Like bluestacks. Instead, the Google Play Store appears after the update or it needs to be downloaded and that’s it. Then all apps can be used.

Further in the announcement, Google said, “The same apps that run on phones and tablets can now run on Chromebooks without sacrificing their speed, simplicity or security. That’s good for users and great for developers – they’ll be able to easily bring their apps to laptops in addition to phones and tablets.”

Apps run, run and update on a Chromebook just as they do on a phone or tablet. It’s a completely separate stack that works perfectly with Chrome OS. Again, the big list of current or upcoming supported devices could be: found here. Using your Chromebook more because Android apps are included? Let us know in the comments below.