How to Install Linux on Chromebook (Guide)

Chromebooks are meant to be easy to use, and that is exactly where Chrome OS shines. However, Chrome OS isn’t as functional as compared to other operating systems like Linux. So, if you are someone who loves to tinker, you might have wondered if you could install another operating system, such as Ubuntu, on your Chromebook. So, here is how to install Linux on a Chromebook:

Install Ubuntu on Chromebook with Crouton

In order to install Ubuntu on a Chromebook, you will first have to download Crouton. Crouton – an acronym for “Chromium OS Universal Chroot Environment” – is a bundle of scripts that allow the easy installation of Linux systems such as Ubuntu, and Debian. We will use Crouton to install Ubuntu on our Chromebook. Just follow the steps below:

1. First, you will have to enable Developer Mode in Chrome OS. You can check out our detailed article on the same.

2. Once you have enabled Developer Mode on your Chromebook, download Crouton onto your Chromebook. It will be saved in the “Downloads” directory.

3. On your Chromebook, press “Ctrl + Alt + T” to launch the Crosh Terminal. Here, type “shell“, and hit Enter.

crosh shell

4. You will now get access to a command line, and with the help of this command line, we’ll install Ubuntu on our Chromebook. In the Terminal, type “sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -e -t lxde“.

install lxde with crouton

NoteUnfortunately, as of this writing, Ubuntu’s XFCE, and Unity Desktop Environments aren’t working properly on Chromebooks, which is why I would suggest that you use LXDE for the time being.

5. Once that is done, you will have to wait, while Crouton downloads Ubuntu for you, and installs it on your Chromebook. This step usually takes quite some time, so be patient.

installing Ubuntu Chromebook

6. When the installation is finished, simply type “sudo startlxde” to start the Linux desktop. You will be asked for the encryption passphrase you created while installing Ubuntu, just key it in, and you’re ready to go.

startlxde

Switch Back to Chrome OS from Linux

If you want to get back to Chrome OS from Ubuntu, you can simply log out of Ubuntu in the normal way, and you’ll immediately be taken back to Chrome OS.

You can restart Linux, by opening a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T), and typing “sudo startlxde“.

You should be able to switch between Linux, and Chrome OS, on the fly, by using Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Forward, and Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Back (on ARM Chromebooks), and Ctrl + Alt + Forward, and Ctrl + Alt + Back, followed by Ctrl + Alt + Refresh (on Intel Chromebooks), but unfortunately, that didn’t work for me on LXDE on my Asus Chromebook Flip.

Linux on a Chromebook: The Experience

Ubuntu works very well on a Chromebook. However, since the XFCE, and Unity Desktop Environments aren’t working, as yet, you’re stuck with using LXDE – a Desktop Environment not many people like. The only problem I noticed with LXDE, is the fact that if you own a touch enabled Chromebook, like the Asus Chromebook Flip, the touch doesn’t work very predictably in LXDE, and the UI is a tad too small. However, at least the latter can be fixed by adjusting the screen resolution for Linux.

Linux LXDE Chromebook

Overall, though, the experience is very smooth, and everything works as one would expect. So, if you’re wondering if it’s worth the effort, it kind of is.

SEE ALSO: How to Get Play Store On Chromebook Via Developer Channel

Install Linux on Chromebook to Unlock Its Potential

You can use this method to easily install Linux/Ubuntu on a Chromebook, and unlock its true power. When you’re running Linux on a Chromebook, you can install Linux apps in the same way as you would install them on a normal Linux computer, by using apt-get. However, if you’re using an ARM Chromebook, some apps might not work properly for you. Chances of apps working are much better on an Chromebook with an Intel processor.

As always, we’d like to know your thoughts on installing Linux on Chromebook, and your experience with using Linux on a Chromebook. Also, if you know of another (preferably easier) method to install Linux on Chromebooks, do let us know in the comments section below.

comment Comments 5
  • sunil chowdary says:

    have a samsung chrome book plus need help on linux installation..with regards

    • sunil chowdary says:

      tried every thing step by step but didnt work..please help

  • GM says:

    I am considering this approach to add Ubuntu to my Chromebox connected to my TV.

    Before starting, I am trying to get my head around what is actually occurring. So I am asking for help in clarifying this approach you offer.
    I understand the value of chroot to move active system pointers, but …

    Questions:
    Going into developer mode and opening a terminal gets a console in ChromeOS. That Console is then used run the scripts in ChromeOS that “appears” to go the extra distance to access the internet to download and create the filesystem that Ubuntu will run from, I think(is this true?).

    Then somehow (via the scripts running in ChromeOS’s terminal) Linux is given control of the system as ChromeOS yields to allow Linux to run.

    How is the handoff done? Is it via chroot? Is it running in a Container on ChromeOS? Is some other VM method?

    And the passing of control back to ChromeOS…how is that done?

    Lasly, is the Linux filesystem in a separate folder path or does this get integrated into the ChromeOS filesystem folders?

    Thanks in advance for any enlightenment.

  • ANGEL A GONZALEZ says:

    Do you have instructions for ARM based Chromebooks like the Samsung Chromebook Plus? I’ve been having a hard time getting it installed.

    • Matthew Mosqueda says:

      With ARM-based Chromebooks, not all apps are compatible.

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