Apps on a Chromebook come from the Google Play Store, and you install them the same way you would on an Android phone
Most Chromebooks let you download apps directly from the Google Play Store, which is built into Chrome OS. You open the Play Store app, search for what you want, and tap the Install button. The app then appears in your app drawer and on your shelf — the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Some older Chromebooks do not support Google Play, but you can still run web apps and extensions through the Chrome browser instead.
The process takes about two minutes for a typical app. You will need a Google account to sign in, and your Chromebook needs an internet connection. Most apps are free, though some charge a one-time fee or a monthly subscription, which you pay through your Google Play account.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Google Play Store app from your app drawer, search for the app you want, and tap Install to download it to your Chromebook.
- Apps appear in your app drawer and can be pinned to your shelf at the bottom of the screen for quick access.
- If your Chromebook does not support Google Play, you can use web versions of apps through the Chrome browser or install Chrome extensions instead.
- You can uninstall any app by right-clicking it in the app drawer and selecting Uninstall, and the storage space returns to your Chromebook immediately.
Finding and opening the Google Play Store
The Play Store app is already on your Chromebook. Look for the grid icon in the bottom left corner of your screen — this is your app drawer. Click it to see all your installed apps and a search box at the top. Type "Play Store" in the search box, or scroll down until you see the colorful Play Store icon and click it.
The first time you open Play Store, you may be asked to review and accept the terms of service. Read through them or scroll to the bottom and click "I Agree" to continue. You will also need to confirm your Google account — the one you use to sign in to your Chromebook. If you have multiple Google accounts, make sure you are signed in to the one you want to use for purchases.
Searching for and installing an app
Once Play Store is open, you will see a search box at the top. Type the name of the app you want — for example, "Netflix" or "Spotify" — and press Enter. A list of results appears. Click on the app you want to see more details: a description, screenshots, reviews from other users, and the file size.
Click the blue "Install" button. A popup may ask you to confirm which permissions the app needs — for example, whether it can access your files or your camera. Read through the list and click "Install" again to proceed. The download and installation happen automatically. You will see a progress bar, and when it finishes, the button changes to "Open" or "Uninstall."
The app is now on your Chromebook. You can click "Open" to start it right away, or close the Play Store and find the app in your app drawer later. The app icon will appear there automatically.
Pinning apps to your shelf for faster access
Your shelf is the taskbar at the bottom of your screen where frequently used apps sit. By default, only a few apps are pinned there — usually Chrome, Files, and Settings. You can add any app you download to make it easier to find.
Open your app drawer by clicking the grid icon in the bottom left. Find the app you want to pin, right-click it, and select "Pin to shelf." The app icon now appears at the bottom of your screen next to your other pinned apps. To remove it later, right-click the icon on the shelf and select "Unpin."
What to do if your Chromebook does not support Google Play
A small number of older Chromebooks do not have access to the Google Play Store. You can check whether yours does by opening the app drawer and looking for the Play Store icon. If it is not there, your Chromebook likely does not support it.
You have two alternatives. First, many apps have web versions you can use through the Chrome browser — Gmail, Google Drive, Spotify, Netflix, and Slack all work this way. Open Chrome, go to the website, and sign in. You can bookmark the page and pin it to your shelf just like an app.
Second, you can install Chrome extensions, which are small programs that add features to the Chrome browser itself. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, go to "More tools," and select "Extensions." You can then browse the Chrome Web Store for extensions. This is different from the Play Store and has a smaller selection, but it works on all Chromebooks.
Managing storage and uninstalling apps
Chromebooks typically have less storage than Windows or Mac computers — often 32 GB or 64 GB. Apps take up space, though usually not much. If you need to free up room, you can uninstall any app you no longer use.
Open your app drawer, right-click the app you want to remove, and select "Uninstall." A popup asks you to confirm. Click "Uninstall" again, and the app is removed immediately. The storage space returns to your Chromebook right away. You can always reinstall the app later from the Play Store if you change your mind.
To see how much storage you are using, click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen, then click the settings icon (gear shape). Go to "Device" and select "Storage." You will see a breakdown of what is taking up space — apps, files, cache, and so on.
Troubleshooting apps that will not install
If an app fails to install, the most common reason is that your Chromebook does not meet the app's requirements. Some apps need a certain amount of free storage, a minimum version of Chrome OS, or specific hardware like a touchscreen. The Play Store usually tells you why an app cannot install — look for a message under the Install button.
If the message is unclear, try restarting your Chromebook. Click the time in the bottom right, click the power icon, and select "Restart." Wait for it to boot back up, then try installing the app again. If it still does not work, check that you have a strong internet connection and that you are signed in to your Google account in the Play Store.
Some apps are not available in your region or on your specific Chromebook model. If you see a message that says the app is "not compatible with your device," there is no way around it — that app simply will not run on your Chromebook. Look for an alternative app that does the same thing, or use the web version if one exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use apps from places other than the Google Play Store?
No. Chromebooks are designed to run apps only from the Google Play Store for security reasons. You cannot sideload apps from other sources the way you can on some Android phones. If an app is not in the Play Store, it is not available for your Chromebook.
Do I have to pay for apps?
Most apps in the Play Store are free. Some charge a one-time fee to download, and others use a subscription model where you pay monthly or yearly. The price is always shown before you install, and you can see it in the Play Store listing. Payments go through your Google account.
What happens to my apps if I sign out of my Google account?
Your apps stay on your Chromebook, but you will not be able to open the Play Store or update them until you sign back in. If you sign in with a different Google account, the apps from your previous account remain, but you will see a separate set of apps for the new account.
Can I move apps to a USB drive or SD card to save storage?
No. Apps must stay on your Chromebook's internal storage. However, you can move your files — photos, documents, videos — to an external drive. Open the Files app, click the file or folder you want to move, and drag it to the external drive listed on the left side.
Why does an app keep crashing after I install it?
Try clearing the app's cache. Open Settings, go to "Apps," find the app in the list, click it, and select "Clear cache." If it still crashes, uninstall the app and reinstall it fresh from the Play Store. Make sure you have the latest version of Chrome OS by clicking the time, then the settings icon, going to "About Chrome OS," and letting it update if needed.