How to Install FlashPrint on a Linux Chromebook
FlashPrint is the official slicing software from Flashforge, designed to prepare 3D models for printing on Flashforge printers. If you own a Flashforge device and work from a Chromebook, getting FlashPrint running requires a few extra steps — but it's entirely doable once you understand what's happening under the hood.
Why Chromebooks Need a Different Approach
Chromebooks run ChromeOS, not Windows or macOS. ChromeOS is a Linux-based operating system, but it doesn't run standard Linux .deb or .rpm packages natively — at least not without enabling a specific feature first.
The key is Linux (Beta) — also called the Crostini environment — which is a containerized Debian-based Linux environment that ChromeOS can run alongside its native shell. Once enabled, you can install Linux applications, including FlashPrint, using standard Debian package commands.
FlashPrint distributes a .deb package for Linux, which makes it a natural fit for the Crostini environment on supported Chromebooks.
Step 1: Enable Linux on Your Chromebook
Before anything else, Linux must be turned on:
- Open Settings on your Chromebook
- Navigate to Advanced → Developers
- Find Linux development environment and click Turn On
- Follow the setup prompts — ChromeOS will download and configure the container
This process installs a Debian-based Linux environment and gives you access to the Terminal app. The setup typically takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
Step 2: Download the FlashPrint Linux Package
Once Linux is enabled:
- Open the Terminal app (found in your app launcher under Linux apps)
- Visit the Flashforge website from your Chromebook browser and download the Linux (.deb) version of FlashPrint
- The file will land in your Downloads folder
To make it accessible from the Linux environment, you may need to move it. ChromeOS shares your Downloads folder with Linux by default, but the path inside the Linux terminal will be:
You can confirm the file is there by running: