This article explains how to get Steam on a Chromebook. Methods include installing Steam as a regular Linux app if your Chromebook supports this function. If it doesn’t, we’ll explain how to install Linux on your Chromebook, then install Steam through a Linux desktop environment like Ubuntu.

What to Know

  • If your Chromebook supports Linux apps, select system tray > settings. Next to Linux, select Turn on > Install.
  • Next, install the Linux Steam app via a series of Terminal commands.
  • If your Chromebook doesn’t support Linux apps, install Linux, then install Steam through a Linux desktop environment like Ubuntu.

Use Steam on a Chromebook by Installing Steam as a Linux App

The first way to use Steam on a Chromebook is to install Steam as a regular Linux app. This is a somewhat complex process that requires you to enable Linux apps on your Chromebook, then install Steam using terminal commands. This option is only available if your Chromebook supports regular Linux apps, which not all Chromebooks do.

Enable Linux Apps on a Chromebook

If your Chromebook is capable of running regular Linux apps, you’ll have to enable the feature before you can install Steam. This is an easy process that involves selecting a toggle in your Chrome OS settings.

To determine if your Chromebook supports Linux apps, check the XDA Developers’ list of supported Chromebooks and your system settings. If the Linux apps option isn’t available, try switching to the Chrome OS beta or developer channel.

  • On a Chromebook, select the system tray in the lower right corner of the desktop, then select the gear icon to open the settings menu.
  • Scroll down to locate the Linux (Beta) section, then select Turn on.
  • Select Install.
  • Wait for the installation process to finish. When it is complete, you will be greeted with a terminal window. This window is how you will install and launch Linux apps through Chrome OS.

How to Install the Linux Steam App on Chrome OS

Once you have successfully set up your Chromebook to run regular Linux apps in Chrome OS, you are ready to install Steam.

On a Chromebook, select the system tray in the lower right corner of the desktop, then select the gear icon to open the settings menu.

Scroll down to locate the Linux (Beta) section, then select Turn on.

Select Install.

Wait for the installation process to finish. When it is complete, you will be greeted with a terminal window. This window is how you will install and launch Linux apps through Chrome OS.

This process is rather complicated if you’ve never used Linux before, but it is not difficult. As an overview, you will need to open the Linux terminal on your Chromebook, then enter a series of commands and wait for each to finish executing before entering the next one.

Here’s how to install Steam on a Chromebook as a regular Linux app:

To make things easier you can copy and paste each command from these instructions. To do so, copy the command text, then press SHIFT+CTRL+V inside the terminal window to paste the copied text. Finally, press ENTER to execute the command.

  • Press SHIFT+CTRL+T to open the Linux terminal window.
  • Enter the following command into the terminal window. You can copy and paste it, or type it out, then press enter to execute.
  • echo ‘deb http://httpredir.debian.org/debian/ jessie main contrib non-free’ | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
  • Enter the following command into the terminal window:
  • sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386
  • Enter the following command into the terminal window:
  • sudo apt update
  • Enter the following command into the terminal window:
  • sudo apt install steam
  • Press Y to confirm the installation.
  • During this step, the installer will show you how much storage space Steam will take up. If your Chromebook doesn’t have enough storage, you will not be able to install Steam.
  • Agree to the Steam license agreement to finalize the installation procedure.
  • Wait for Steam to update itself.
  • Select LOGIN TO AN EXISTING ACCOUNT to log in to your Steam account. You can now use Steam on your Chromebook.

How to Install Steam on a Chromebook That Does Not Support It

The other option works on all Chromebooks but is even more complicated. This option requires you to install Linux on your Chromebook, then install Steam through a Linux desktop environment like Ubuntu.

Press SHIFT+CTRL+T to open the Linux terminal window.

Enter the following command into the terminal window. You can copy and paste it, or type it out, then press enter to execute.

echo ‘deb http://httpredir.debian.org/debian/ jessie main contrib non-free’ | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list

Enter the following command into the terminal window:

sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386

sudo apt update

sudo apt install steam

Press Y to confirm the installation.

During this step, the installer will show you how much storage space Steam will take up. If your Chromebook doesn’t have enough storage, you will not be able to install Steam.

Agree to the Steam license agreement to finalize the installation procedure.

Wait for Steam to update itself.

Select LOGIN TO AN EXISTING ACCOUNT to log in to your Steam account. You can now use Steam on your Chromebook.

Prior to the introduction of regular Linux apps, smart users found a workaround that allowed every Chromebook to run Linux alongside Chrome OS. This is a more complicated option than simply installing a Linux app through Chrome OS, but it’s the only option for most Chromebooks.

Use Crouton to Run Ubuntu Linux on Your Chromebook

If you want to use this method, you need to start by using Crouton to install Ubuntu, or another version of Linux, alongside Chrome OS on your Chromebook.

This is a good option if you want to have a real Linux desktop environment on your Chromebook.

Switch From Chrome OS to the Ubuntu Desktop

Once you have Ubuntu running on your Chromebook, you can switch between Chrome OS and Ubuntu whenever you want with a simple key combination.

This method doesn’t replace Chrome OS, so you can continue to use your Chromebook just like you always have. However, it does require you to enable developer mode.

  • Intel and AMD Chromebooks: To switch back and forth, press CTRL+ALT+BACK and CTRL+ALT+FORWARD, then press CTRL+ALT+REFRESH to refresh the new desktop.ARM Chromebooks: To switch back and forth, press CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+BACK and CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+FORWARD.

Navigate to the official Steam site and select Install Steam. When Ubuntu Software opens, select Install and the app will automatically install.

Should You Install Steam on a Chromebook?

Most Chromebooks are not powerful enough to run brand new AAA games. But a lot of older games and many new indie games are capable of running on the pared-down hardware found in most Chromebooks. Alternatively, you can play CPU-intensive games by streaming them from a desktop PC to a Chromebook installed with Steam.

Using this method, you will have to switch to Ubuntu every time you want to use Steam. You cannot access it directly from the Chrome OS interface.

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