I know that you all are waiting for the Pixel announcement that is scheduled to happen in a few hours from now. Would you like to do that on a Chromebook that runs Android apps too?
Update: This is working on the Dev channel for Toshiba Chromebook 2015 if you have the Developer Mode on.
Note: You need one of those “promised” Chromebooks for this to work.
Reports are coming in that Google Play Store now works on a bunch of new Chromebooks. The currently confirmed list is as follows:
1. Acer Chromebook 14
2. Acer Chromebook 15
3. Samsung Chromebook 3
4. Toshiba CB2 2015
This is currently available on the Canary channel, which is extremely unstable at times, and sometimes even, unusable. So, proceed with caution, and I recommend not enabling this on your primary device.
Enable Play Store on Any Chromebook
The first step, switch your Chromebook to the Canary channel if you are not yet on that channel.
Now, follow these steps:
- Press CTRL + ALT + T to open the command prompt.
- Type shell to enter the shell prompt.
- Now type the command
echo "--enable-arc" > /usr/local/chrome_dev.conf;
- Next, type the command
mount -o bind /usr/local/chrome_dev.conf /etc/chrome_dev.conf
- Press CTRL + SHIFT + Q twice, or restart your Chromebook.
With that, you should have access to Google Play Store on your device. Google Play should automatically launch the first time you log in after going through those steps. If not, go to Settings and look for the setting that enables Google Play.
Go ahead and try this on your secondary Chromebook, if you have one of the promised Chromebooks. If you get this working on any Chromebook other than what I have listed, please drop a comment.
Thanks, Justin Slatten and Brent Sullivan
Update: I got this working on my Toshiba Chromebook 2015. It was very unstable, so I had to switch back to the Dev channel. I am hoping that it will be available on the Dev channel in a few weeks.
To switch back to the Stable channel from the Canary channel, replace canary-channel in the command with stable-channel. The Chromebook will complete the update and ask you to restart.
Uh, yeah, I see your point, but bad headline. I’m interested in the Chromebooks that aren’t on the list being able to get the Play Store.
Yes, I understand your concern. I had the same thought too, but I am yet to find a better title. Suggestions?
“Here’s How to get Play Store Early on Supported Chromebooks”
Okay guys, I changed the title. How about now?
Android app is also available in dev channel in Toshiba CB 2015.
How do you enable it on Dev channel?
I’m on canary channel on Acer Chromebook 15. Typing:
sudo echo “-enable-arc”>> /usr/local/chrome_dev.conf;
returns
bash: /usr/local/chrome_dev.conf: Permission denied.
Any ideas?
I have fixed the extra characters in those commands. Please try again.
If you get the permission error again, do:
sudo su
and then the commands.
“Two switch back to Dev channel from Canary channel, replace canary-channel in the command with stable-channel.”
Two switch -> To switch
And so the dev channel is called “stable-channel”? How confusing!
That part was edited and added in a hurry. I have fixed those errors.
Thanks for your comment!
I tried this on my Toshiba Chromebook 2 2015, and it gives me an “unknown error” when I try to sign into the Play Store. I tried on both the dev channel and canary channel with the same error.
Getting the same error as you…
echo “–enable-arc” or echo “-enable-arc”
I have this working with Acer 15 and Dev channel!
Warning set — not –
Not This:
echo “-enable-arc” > /usr/local/chrome_dev.conf;
But rather This:
echo “–enable-arc” > /usr/local/chrome_dev.conf;
Do you have Developer mode enabled?
Not echo “-enable-arc” > /usr/local/chrome_dev.conf;
This:
echo “–enable-arc” > /usr/local/chrome_dev.conf;
Thanks for the confirmation on your post, had set – not — and had to relearn vim to manually edit the file.
I have this working with Acer 15 and Dev channel!
Any update on when this will come to the stable channel for an Acer 15?
Is it working on the Dev channel – and if so is it stable enough to try yet?
No information on stable channel releases yet.