The feature is still in beta testing at the moment

May 3, 2018 18:42 GMT  ·  By

It looks like Chromebook users will finally be able to run native Linux apps on their Chromebooks, besides Android apps, as Google made another step towards Linux app support in its Linux-based Chrome OS operating system.

Rumored to come to a Chromebook near you, support for Linux apps just entered beta testing in the latest Chrome OS Dev channel, as confirmed by Kevin Tofel of About Chromebooks. The feature appeared in the Settings and needed to be turned on if you want to use Linux tools, editors, and IDEs on your Chromebook.

The first sign of Linux app support in Chrome OS appeared two months ago when a Reddit user discovered a Chromium Gerrit commit explaining a new device policy designed to allow containerized Linux apps to Chromebooks. Then, someone discovered a Terminal app, whichfailed to install, but suggested upcoming support for Linux apps.

Here's how to try Linux apps on your Chromebook

Now that the feature is finally accessible to the masses, you can try Linux apps on your Chromebook by switching to the Chrome OS Dev channel. To do that, access the Chrome OS Settings, scroll down on the left side panel list and click on "About Chrome OS," then click on "Detailed build information," click "Change channel" next to "Channel," and choose the Developer channel.

Click "Change Channel" to change the channel and apply the settings. Chrome OS will then automatically download an update to your Chromebook and ask you to restart. Once you're back on the desktop, open the Chrome OS Settings again, go to "About Chrome OS" and make sure you're running at least Chrome OS 68.0.3416.0. Go back and turn on Linux (Beta) feature under the Linux Apps section.

Once you enable the Linux Apps feature, your Chromebook will apparently start downloading the Terminal app, which says that you're running the Debian GNU/Linux operating system in a container. However, be aware the support for native Linux apps might need some work before it's ready for the masses, so use it with caution until it lands in the Chrome OS Stable channel.