How to Install Firefox on Chromebook

Firefox doesn't run natively on Chrome OS, but you can use it through Linux

Chromebooks run Chrome OS, which is built around the Chrome browser. Firefox won't install the way it does on Windows or Mac. However, most modern Chromebooks let you turn on a Linux environment, and Firefox installs into that Linux space just like on any other computer. Once it's running, Firefox works the same way — you get your bookmarks, extensions, and settings if you sign in with your Firefox account.

This process takes about 15 to 20 minutes total. You'll need your Chromebook plugged in or well-charged, a stable internet connection, and about 1.5 GB of free storage. If your Chromebook is older or has very little storage, Linux might not be available or might run slowly.

Key Takeaways

Firefox runs on Chromebooks through a Linux environment that you enable in Settings — it's not available on all models, but most recent Chromebooks support it.
Turning on Linux takes a few minutes and creates a separate space on your Chromebook where you can install desktop programs like Firefox.
Once Linux is active, you open a terminal window and type commands to download and install Firefox, which takes about 10 minutes.
After installation, Firefox appears in your app launcher and works like it does on any other computer, including syncing bookmarks if you sign in.

Check whether your Chromebook supports Linux

Not every Chromebook has Linux available. Older models and some budget Chromebooks don't support it. The fastest way to find out is to open Settings and look for the Linux option. Click the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the bottom right corner of your screen, or press the Search key and type "Settings".

In Settings, look for "Advanced" at the bottom of the left sidebar and click it. Scroll down until you see "Developers" or "Development". If you see an option that says "Linux development environment" or just "Linux", your Chromebook supports it. If that section doesn't appear at all, Linux isn't available on your model. In that case, you can use Firefox through the web version of Firefox Sync or through a remote desktop tool, but you won't have the full desktop version installed locally.

Turn on Linux on your Chromebook

Open Settings again and go to Advanced > Developers (or Development). Click the toggle next to "Linux development environment" to turn it on. Your Chromebook will ask you to confirm — click "Next" or "Turn on". This step downloads a small Linux container, which is a separate operating system running inside Chrome OS. It's not dangerous and doesn't affect your regular Chromebook files or settings.

The download and setup take 5 to 10 minutes depending on your internet speed. You'll see a progress bar. Don't close Settings or turn off your Chromebook during this time. When it finishes, you'll see a message saying Linux is ready, and a new "Terminal" app will appear in your app launcher. This terminal is how you'll install Firefox.

Open the terminal and update Linux packages

Click the "Terminal" app in your app launcher (the grid icon at the bottom left of your screen). A black window will open with a command prompt — a line of text ending with a dollar sign ($). This is where you type commands to install software.

Before installing Firefox, update the list of available packages so Linux knows where to find the newest version. Type this command and press Enter:

sudo apt update

Linux will ask for your password — type the password you set up when you turned on Linux. As you type, you won't see the letters appear on screen; that's normal. Press Enter when you're done. The terminal will show a list of packages being checked. This takes 1 to 3 minutes. When it finishes, you'll see the command prompt again.

Install Firefox through the terminal

Now type the command to install Firefox:

sudo apt install firefox

Press Enter. Linux will ask "Do you want to continue?" — type y and press Enter. The download and installation begin. This step takes 5 to 10 minutes depending on your internet speed. You'll see progress messages scrolling down the screen. Don't close the terminal or turn off your Chromebook.

When the installation finishes, you'll see the command prompt again. Type exit and press Enter to close the terminal. Firefox is now installed and ready to use.

Launch Firefox and sign in

Click the app launcher (grid icon) at the bottom left of your screen. Scroll through the apps or search for "Firefox". Click the Firefox icon to open it. The first time you launch it, Firefox takes a moment to start — this is normal. A window will open showing the Firefox home page.

If you have a Firefox account, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner and select "Sign in to Sync". Enter your email and password to sync your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords from your other devices. If you don't have an account, you can create one for free at firefox.com, or just use Firefox without syncing.

Troubleshooting common problems

If Firefox won't open after installation, close the terminal and try opening Firefox again from the app launcher. Sometimes it needs a moment to fully initialize. If it still won't open, open the terminal again and type firefox & to launch it from the command line, which shows you any error messages.

If the installation command fails and says "Unable to locate package firefox", run the update command again (sudo apt update) and wait for it to finish completely. Then try the install command again. If you run out of storage space during installation, you may need to delete files or apps from your Chromebook to free up room — Linux typically needs at least 1.5 GB of free space.

If Firefox runs very slowly, your Chromebook may not have enough memory for both Chrome OS and Linux at the same time. Close other apps and browser tabs to free up RAM. Some older or budget Chromebooks with 2 GB of RAM struggle with this setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I uninstall Firefox if I change my mind?

Yes. Open the Terminal app, type sudo apt remove firefox, press Enter, type y when asked to confirm, and press Enter again. Firefox will be removed, but Linux stays on your Chromebook. You can reinstall Firefox anytime by running the install command again.

Will Firefox sync with my other devices?

Yes, if you sign in with your Firefox account. Your bookmarks, history, open tabs, and saved passwords will sync across your Chromebook, phone, and other computers. Sign in through the Firefox menu (three lines in the top right) and select "Sign in to Sync".

Does turning on Linux slow down my Chromebook?

Not noticeably for most tasks. Linux runs in the background and only uses resources when you're actively using a Linux app like Firefox. If your Chromebook has limited RAM (2 GB or less), you might notice slowness when running Firefox and Chrome at the same time.

What if my Chromebook doesn't support Linux?

You can still use Firefox through your web browser by visiting firefox.com, or you can use Firefox Sync to access your bookmarks and passwords from Chrome. Some older Chromebooks may also support Android apps, which includes Firefox for Android if it's available in the Google Play Store on your device.

Is it safe to use the terminal commands you provided?

Yes. These are standard Linux commands used on millions of computers. sudo apt update checks for package updates, and sudo apt install firefox downloads and installs Firefox from official repositories. You're not running any code that modifies your system in unusual ways.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.