Skip to main content

Google adds Android app support to additional Chromebooks

google adds 16 new chromebooks to list getting android apps
Google’s Chromebook platform has made some serious strides lately, gaining enough momentum in the education and business markets to spur Microsoft to respond with its Windows 10 S initiative. To be truly competitive, though, Chromebook needs more apps, and its long-anticipated Android app support is key.

Getting Android app support on the Chromebooks people already own has been a challenge, however, even as Google indicated that all 2017 and later Chromebooks would get Android support. The list of Chromebooks that can officially run Android apps has been a bit limited, but that’s changing, as Android Police reports.

Related Videos

Google on Thursday updated its list of Chromebooks that now have official support, and 16 new machines have been added. They include:

  • Acer Chromebook 11 N7 (C731, C731T)
  • Acer Chromebook 15 (CB3-532)
  • Asus Chromebook C202SA
  • ASUS Chromebook C300SA/C301SA
  • CTL NL61 Chromebook
  • Dell Chromebook 11 (3180)
  • Dell Chromebook 11 Convertible (3189)
  • Dell Chromebook 13 (3380)
  • HP Chromebook 11 G5 EE
  • HP Chromebook 13 G1
  • Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook
  • Lenovo N23 Yoga Chromebook
  • Lenovo N22 Chromebook
  • Lenovo N23 Chromebook
  • Samsung Chromebook 3
  • Mercer Chromebook NL6D

If you check out Google’s list of supported devices, you’ll notice that there are three current levels. Some machines are supported in the Stable Channel, meaning that you should see the Google Play Store app out of the box and be able to install Android apps without doing anything special. Some Chromebooks are supported in the Beta Channel, meaning that you’ll need to change your system’s channel in order to get Android apps installed. It’s an easy enough process but it does mean you’re playing with pre-production code.

You can follow our guide here on how to install Android apps on your Chromebook. If your machine has a “Planned” status, then you’ll have to wait awhile before installing apps. If it’s not on the list at all, it’s still possible that it will be supported at some point. Be sure to keep up with this list, as it changes regularly.

Editors' Recommendations

When is my phone getting Android 13? Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and more
Android 13 logo on a Google Pixel 6a.

Android 13 has been available for Android phones since late 2022, and it's a pretty minor update from Google. Well, we say minor, but that's only in comparison to the positively gargantuan number of changes that were in Android 12 — and in light of Google's policy of trickling out improvements to Android apps over the course of a year as soon as they're ready. Android 13 is more of a tune-up to the engine that powers your phone than anything else. But it's still one worth getting excited for.

Tablet and foldable owners will see the most benefits, and there will be some updates to Material You to improve Android's customizability. There really isn't much else to say about Android 13. It's a very under-the-hood update, and that trend appears to be continuing with the upcoming Android 14 as well.

Read more
I review phones for a living — here are the 10 apps I can’t live without
iPhone 14 Pro with custom home screen on Mickey Mouse phone holder next to flowers

For most of my life, I think I’ve had a pretty unique career path among my family and friends. Ever since I got the original iPhone, I’ve turned my love for writing into writing about technology, specifically mobile phones. Though I’ve pretty much been iPhone-only for most of my career, since I started at Digital Trends, I’ve been opening up to the world of Android.

Now that I’m checking out both iPhone and Android phones, the world of apps for me has expanded quite a bit. But regardless of what device I’m using, there are some apps that I need before anything else. Here are the first apps that I install when I get a new phone.
1Password (iOS and Android)

Read more
How Android 14 is Google’s secret weapon to make Android tablets great
Galaxy Tab S8 sitting at an angle above the tenth generation iPad.

Over the years, Google has earned itself a bad rep for abandoning the cause of Android tablets. At its most generous, Google’s interest in redeeming Android on tablets can be described as an on-off romance. Apple, on the other hand, poured some serious energy into building up iPadOS as it continued to diversify its iPad portfolio — most recently with the iPad Pro (2022) and iPad 10th Gen.

Then came Android 12L, Google’s first sign that it was taking foldable phones and tablets seriously. With Android 13, the company doubled down on building a standout experience for larger screens that can also scale the UI for different aspect ratios without making apps look like a magnified mess.

Read more