Skip to main content

Google adds Android app support to additional Chromebooks

google adds 16 new chromebooks to list getting android apps
Image used with permission by copyright holder
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.

Recommended 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
Please enable Javascript to view this content

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.

Mark Coppock
Mark Coppock is a Freelance Writer at Digital Trends covering primarily laptop and other computing technologies. He has…
Google’s Pixel Weather app just got two new features. Here’s how they work
The Pixel Weather app on a Google Pixel 9.

The Pixel Weather app has been the focus of a lot of attention lately as Google revamps the user experience and adds more features. Now, there's more good news: two of those promised functions — the Pollen count card and immersive vibrations — are newly available, at least for some users.

Thanks to "immersive weather vibrations," the Pixel Weather app vibrates to match the animated backgrounds it displays, with intensity levels that mirror the precipitation amount (because it's not just rainfall), according to 9to5Google. Of course, if you don't like the feature, you can disable it in the account menu.

Read more
Google Lens and Google Pay are about to get more helpful for holiday shopping
The new Google Wallet app running on an Android phone.

The holiday season is upon us, and that probably means you’ll be doing a lot of shopping in the coming weeks. Google is doing its part to help make that shopping experience a bit easier, especially if you want to do some in-person shopping rather than online, with some new features hitting Google Lens and Google Pay ahead of the holidays.
Shop better through Google Lens

According to Google, Google Lens performs about 20 billion visual searches each month, and about 20% of those are shopping-related. Today's update helps make Lens more useful by giving you insights tailored to the store you are currently in so you can make informed decisions.

Read more
Google may finally merge Chromebooks and Android
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

Google may be working to merge Chrome OS into its Android operating system to strengthen the value proposition of the software for its best Android tablets. While rumors circulate about Google’s Pixel Tablet 2, experts speculate on how the brand can use future devices to compete with Apple’s stronghold in the tablet market with its iPad line.

Sources told Android Authority that Google may be closer to unifying its Android and ChromeOS operating systems for the benefit of bridging this gap. Not only would Android gain highlight features from ChromeOS but in the future, some of the best Chromebooks may also run under a reimagined Android OS, that is more attuned for entertainment as well as productivity. The source added this could be a project that takes several years to unfold.

Read more