The fastest way to get apps on a Chromebook
Most apps on a Chromebook come from the Google Play Store, which works like the app store on an Android phone. You search for what you want, tap Install, and it appears on your Chromebook within seconds. The Play Store is built into every Chromebook — you do not need to download anything first.
If your Chromebook does not have the Play Store enabled, you can turn it on in Settings. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Google Play Store, and toggle it on. Your Chromebook will restart and the Play Store will appear in your app drawer. From there, the process is the same as any other device.
Some older Chromebooks or those managed by a school or workplace may have the Play Store disabled by policy. In those cases, you can still use web apps and extensions through the Chrome Web Store instead, which is described in the sections below.
Key Takeaways
- The Google Play Store is the main source for apps on Chromebooks and comes pre-installed on most models.
- You can also install extensions and web apps from the Chrome Web Store, which work directly in your browser.
- Some Chromebooks managed by schools or workplaces may have the Play Store turned off, in which case the Chrome Web Store is your only option.
- Apps installed from the Play Store appear in your app drawer and can be pinned to your shelf for quick access.
- You can uninstall any app by right-clicking it in the app drawer and selecting Uninstall.
Installing apps from the Google Play Store
Open the Google Play Store by clicking the launcher (the circle in the bottom left corner) and searching for "Play Store," or look for the colorful Play Store icon in your app drawer. Once it opens, use the search bar at the top to find the app you want. You can browse by category or search by name.
When you find an app, click on it to see the full description, screenshots, and user reviews. Click the blue Install button. The app will download and install automatically — you do not need to restart your Chromebook or do anything else. Once installation is complete, the Install button changes to Open, and the app is ready to use.
Installed apps appear in your app drawer. You can pin frequently used apps to your shelf (the bar at the bottom of the screen) by right-clicking the app icon and selecting Pin to Shelf. This makes them easier to find later.
Using the Chrome Web Store for extensions and web apps
The Chrome Web Store is different from the Play Store. It holds extensions (small tools that add features to Chrome) and web apps (programs that run in your browser). You reach it by opening Chrome, clicking the three-dot menu in the top right, going to More Tools, then Extensions, and clicking "Open Chrome Web Store" at the bottom left. Or go directly to chrome.google.com/webstore in your address bar.
Search for what you need — for example, "grammar checker" or "password manager." When you find something, click Add to Chrome. A popup will ask you to confirm. Click Add extension or Add app, depending on what you are installing. The extension or web app will appear in your Chrome toolbar or app drawer immediately.
Extensions show up as small icons in the top right of your Chrome window, next to the address bar. Web apps appear in your app drawer like Play Store apps and can be pinned to your shelf. You can remove either one by right-clicking it and selecting Remove from Chrome.
Enabling the Play Store if it is turned off
If you do not see the Play Store in your app drawer, it may be disabled. Click the launcher in the bottom left, then click Settings (the gear icon). In the left sidebar, click Apps. Look for Google Play Store in the list and click it. Toggle the switch next to "Google Play Store" to the on position.
Your Chromebook will restart. When it comes back up, the Play Store will be available in your app drawer. If you still do not see it after restart, your Chromebook may be managed by a school or workplace that has disabled it on purpose. In that case, contact your IT department or school administrator — they control whether the Play Store can be turned on.
What to do if an app will not install
If you tap Install and nothing happens, first check that you have a working internet connection. Chromebooks need to be online to download apps. If you are connected, try signing out of your Google account and signing back in. Go to Settings, then click your account name in the left sidebar, then click Sign out. Sign back in with your Google password and try installing again.
If the app still will not install, it may not be compatible with your Chromebook. Some apps require a newer version of Chrome OS than what you have. Check your Chrome OS version by going to Settings, then About Chrome OS. If an update is available, install it and try again. If the app page says it is not compatible with your device, that app cannot be installed on your Chromebook.
You can also try clearing your Play Store cache. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Google Play Store, then Storage, then Clear Cache. This removes temporary files that may be causing the problem. After clearing cache, restart your Chromebook and try installing the app again.
Managing storage when apps take up space
Chromebooks typically have limited storage — often 32 GB or 64 GB total. Apps take up space, and if you install many large apps, you may run out of room. You can see how much space each app uses by going to Settings, then Apps, then Google Play Store, then Storage. This shows the total space used by all Play Store apps.
If you are running low on storage, uninstall apps you no longer use. Right-click any app in your app drawer and select Uninstall. You can always reinstall it later from the Play Store. You can also delete files from your Downloads folder and clear your browser cache to free up space. Go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Clear Browsing Data, and select All Time to remove cached files.
Sideloading apps from outside the Play Store
Most people should stick to the Play Store and Chrome Web Store. However, if you have an APK file (the file format for Android apps) from a trusted source outside the Play Store, you can install it manually on some Chromebooks. This is called sideloading and carries more risk because you are not getting the app from Google's official store.
To sideload an app, enable Developer Mode on your Chromebook. This is a technical process that erases all your local files and is not recommended for most users. If you need to sideload an app, look up the specific steps for your Chromebook model, or contact the app developer to see if they offer it through the Play Store instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to download apps?
Yes. You must be signed into a Google account on your Chromebook to use the Play Store or Chrome Web Store. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com. Your Chromebook will prompt you to sign in when you first turn it on.
Can I use apps from the Apple App Store on a Chromebook?
No. The Apple App Store is only for iPhones and iPads. Chromebooks use the Google Play Store and Chrome Web Store instead. If an app you want is only available on Apple, it will not work on a Chromebook.
What happens to my apps if I sign out of my Google account?
Apps you installed 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 into a different Google account, the apps from your previous account will not appear — each Google account has its own set of installed apps.
Can I install apps on a Chromebook at school or work?
It depends on your school or workplace policies. If your Chromebook is managed by an organization, they may have restricted which apps you can install. Try installing an app normally — if it is blocked, you will see an error message. Contact your IT department or administrator to request permission.
How do I update apps on a Chromebook?
Open the Play Store, click your profile icon in the top right, then click Manage my apps and games. Go to the Updates tab to see apps with available updates. Click Update next to any app, or tap Update All to update everything at once. Apps also update automatically in the background if you have auto-update turned on.