How To Install Steam On ChromeBook? 3 Easy Methods!

If you are addicted to steam but not sure how to install Steam on Chromebook then here we present you with the three most easiest ways to do so!

Steam is today’s one of the most popular gaming stages on Mac, Windows and Linux OS. So, if you have a Chromebook instead of a regular computer, PC or desktop then the process for how to install Steam on Chromebook can be a little different for you! Wanna know how? Read out loud the details!

To install Steam on Chromebook, go to Google Play Store > Install Steam link > Connect ChromeBook to WiFi > Open Steam > Login to Steam account > Pair a Steam-Compatible Controller > Connect to PC > Run Steam on ChromeOS.

This article explains three different and easy ways for how to install Steam on Chromebook and also mentions what are the Why’s and How To’s in this process so that whenever you come across an exception, you may have the fix already! Let’s dive right in without delaying any more!

How To Install Steam On ChromeBook?

Steam is a popular gaming platform available for almost every desktop and laptop operating system. And if you are operating a Chromebook at present then you might need this guide on how to install Steam on Chromebook! As Chromebooks are a bit different than the rest of the systems so to prevent you from feeling left out, we will introduce you to three easy ways to install Steam on your Chromebook after which you will be able to reunite with your gaming community!

Also Read: How To Disable Goguardian On A School Chromebook? A Quick Guide!

However, a few of the processes can be a little twisted but you all know it’s worth making an effort! Anyways, you might know the fact that both Google and Steam reunited together so that gamers can run Steam on ChromeoS via the Dev channel!

Method 1: Via Steam Link

The easiest and instant method for installing Steam on Chromebook is to access the Steam Link Android app which can help you stream Steam games on any device, even on Chromebook (if it supports the Android app). To follow this procedure, you must have a PC accessing Steam on the same network connection as your Chromebook! This is a restricting way because you cannot bring the gaming experience on the way! Although, if you just wish to play a few casual games sitting on your bean bag with a slim light Chromebook, then this can be a good way to do so!

Here is how to install Steam on Chromebook using the Steam Link:

Google Play Store > Install Steam Link > Connect ChromeBook To WiFi > Open Steam > Login To Steam Account > Pair A Steam-Compatible Controller > Connect To PC > Run Steam On ChromeOS

Step 01: Launch the Google Play Store on your Chromebook and Install Steam Link.

Step 02: Link your Chromebook to the same WiFi network as your alternate computer is connected to and access the same Steam account.

Step 03: Launch the Steam Link app after installing it successfully and Sign In to your Steam account.

Step 04: Connect a Steam-compatible controller or access a keyboard for the games you want to play! Now connect to your local PC and start playing whatever game you want to play in Steam on ChromOS.

Also Read: How To Unblock Websites On School Chromebook 2022 | Latest Solutions Unlocked

Make sure you have one extra computer side by side before executing “how to install Steam on Chromebook” process. However, not every Chromebook user needs one! But still, with all the required devices set by your side you will hardly take two minutes in completing this process and setting Steam up on your Chromebook! Moreover, this is the only easy way one can try out for ARM-based Chromebooks!

Method 2: Through Linux Apps

If you are failing in arranging an alternative computer for “how to install Steam on Chromebook” and streaming games or just don’t have a compatible device, then this process is for you! Not having a compatible device or an extra computer is not an issue; you can still access Steam apps with the help of Linux apps by navigating through your ChromeOS Settings. This way will only work for the Chromebooks which are not ARM-based but still functions on most of the famed Intel Chromebooks.

First of all, you need to turn on Linux apps on your Chromebook. For this, you have to follow these below mentioned steps. Make sure that if you go for installing the Linux version of Steam, then it won’t always work!

Control Panel > ChromeOS Settings > Advanced Tab > Developer > Menu > Turn On Linux > Select Username > Grant Storage Space > Terminal Window > Install Linux Apps

Step 01: Launch the ChromeOS Settings by tapping on the Control Panel on the left corner of the screen and then hit the gear-icon.

Step 02: Tap on the Advanced tab and click on Developer from there.

Step 03: Enable the Linux option from the Menu and then follow the prompted instructions popping on your screen.

While setting up, you have to select a username for the Linux environment which can be anything! You also have to devote a specific space to Linux to function and it will be customized later on. In addition, the installation process will take a couple of minutes, so sit back and wait patiently!
Once the installation process ends, you will find a terminal window from where you can download and install a few of the Linux applications.

Also Read: How To Split Your Screen On A Chromebook | 4 Easy Ways

Now you are all set to access Steam on your ChromeOS device. Ensure that you are following the “how to install Steam on Chromebook” instructions very carefully and not mix-matching ARM and Non-ARM based devices!

Method 3: For Non-ARM Based Chromebooks

All the credit goes to the Borealis project between Google and Valve, there is an easy way to install Steam on Intel Chromebooks. To begin, you have to turn on a crucial Chrome Flag. The pointer lock flag in Chrome will let you lock your cursor at the corners of the screen, so that you can navigate through the game easily on your Chromebook. To turn this flag on, you have to copy and paste the below given link in your Chrome browser and click on the lens icon and then turn the flag on!

Also Read: How To Watch Netflix On School Chromebook | Unblock Netflix On School Chromebook 2022

After turning the flag on successfully, you are all set to install Steam! With the help of this installation guide you will be able to install Steam along with all the other libraries important for it to operate properly on your Chromebook. In order to download and use the installer, launch the Linux terminal from the app launcher in your ChromeOS under the name Terminal.

Now, paste the below given command into the terminal by right-clicking anywhere in the terminal and the code will be pasted automatically!

/usr/bin/curl -L https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/platform/dev-util/+/master/contrib/gfx/crostini-steam-setup.sh?format=TEXT” | /usr/bin/base64 -d > /tmp/crostini-steam-setup.sh; /bin/chmod a+x /tmp/crostini-steam-setup.sh; /usr/bin/sudo /tmp/crostini-steam-setup.sh

After this, you have to wait for a couple of minutes for the process to finish and then you will find the Steam icon in your launcher. Now, you might need to run the command steam in the Terminal to update packages prior to opening the app.

Also Read: How To Delete Linux On Chromebook | A Quick Guide!

You are now ready to start playing games. If you own an ARM-based Chromebook, you might be able to operate Steam using an x86 emulator, but the experience will be pretty bad overall. Most of the Steam games are designed for x86 architecture, so this is an issue one cannot fix!

Which ChromeOS Are Officially Google-Approved Chromebooks To Run Steam?

Steam and Google have recently collaborated to make users play Steam games officially on ChromeOS in beta on different official Chromebook models! The feature is available in the ChromeOS Dev Channel, which means one has to switch your device with an unstable version of the OS. Moreover, Steam on Chrome)S only works with a small collection of Chromebooks which are:

Acer Chromebook 514 (CB514-1W)
Acer Chromebook 515 (CB515-1W)
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (CB713-3W)
ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5500)
ASUS Chromebook CX9 (CX9400)
HP Pro c640 G2 Chromebook
Lenovo 5i-14 Chromebook

There are exclusive Chromebooks, and most need Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i5 CPUs from Intel’s 11th generation lineup and 8GB of RAM. If you own a Chromebook with an Intel Core i3 CPU and 4GB of RAM, Steam on ChromeOS would not work properly.

Also Read: How To Unblock Discord On School Chromebook

If you find your Chromebook model listed in the list, then you can shuffle your Chromebook over the Dev Channel with the instruction below! Make sure that switching to Dev Channel will wipe all the Chromebook data and will bring it to its initial factory phase! So here is the data first!

Select the time and then the Settings from the contro;l panel at the left bottom corner of the screen.
Now select About ChromeOS from the sidebar at the left sidebar.
Next, click on the Additional details and then tap on the Change Channel next to the Channel option.
Select the Dev Channel at last!

Now, your Chromebook will download an update and will prompt you to restart! Once you complete all these steps, you can head to the terminal and alter a few flags with the below mentioned steps!

Step 01: Head to the chrome://flags and set #borealis-enabled to turn on mode.

Step 02: Now restart your device and launch a cross terminal with Ctrl+Alt+T.

Step 03: Now enter “insert_coin volteer-JOlkth573FBLGa” and click on the enter button.

Step 04: At last follow the setup process to install Steam.

Also Read: How To Enable Chromebook Dark Mode | A Complete Guide

Once you are done with the above mentioned instructions, you would be able to operate the Steam app on your Chromebook. Just remember that there will be multiple bugs in the performance or the compatibility. Google is still working on collecting feedback with Steam on ChromeOS!

How To Fix Chromebook Doesn’t Support Linux Apps?

If you are owning a Chromebook that does not support Linux apps, then you need to look for a ChromeOS update that can turn on access. And if updating it to its latest version doesn’t work then dual-booting a full version of Linux into your Chromebook may work for you! However, it’s not guaranteed that this method will always work! It;s for the ones who already have had experience dealing with command lines and installing OSs! So, if you don’t have any experience here then we won’t suggest you to opt for this one!

Also Read: How To Enable Chromebook Dark Mode | A Complete Guide

We also won’t take any responsibility if your Chromebook gets any sort of internal or bugged problems, as you will be operating both ChromeOS and Linux side by side! If you are brave enough to accept all these risks, then you can run a full Linux OS on your machine, on top of ChromeOS. You are also allowed to switch back and forth between the OS quickly.

The con of this method is that it needs you to turn on Developer Mode on your Chromebook. Turning on the Developer Mode will clear all your devices completely, so ensure that you back up any crucial data that you have in advance!

After turning on the Developer mode, follow the below given instructions to install Ubuntu on your Chromebook:

Step 01: Download Crouton by accessing this LINK.

Step 02: Launch a new cross tab by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T all at once and enter Shell and then click on the Enter button.

Step 03: Copy the installer to an executable location by accessing sudo install -Dt /usr/local/bin -m755 ~/Downloads/crouton.

Step 04: Now when it’s executable, operate the installer itself: sudo crouton -t xfce

Step 05: Next answer the prompt questions and done! You can now head to your Xfce session by accessing sudo enter-chroot startxfce4 or as a special shortcut, sudo startxfce4.

Step 06: Hover over the Chromium OS and your operating graphical chroots using Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Back and Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Forward.

Step 07: Now take an exit from the chroot by logging out of Xfce.

After finishing the above given process, you get both the ChromeOS and Ubuntu on your Chromebook. Here are a few points with experience you need to ponder over:

Switching between Operating Systems by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Back and Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Forward is possible.
You will be directed to ChromeOS if you log out of Ubuntu automatically. One can always head back to Unbuntu by entering the command sudo startunity in the shell.
Now you have a Linux OS ready to go, you can now install Steam easily. Launch the terminal and fill in the sudo apt install steam to install Steam on your Chrome as you can see there are different ways for how to install Steam on Chromebook! For most of you, we would recommend the Steam Link Android app on ChromeOS. If you don’t own a PC to access SteamLink, then you can try installing Steam on ChromeOS using Linux or buying one of the authentic Chromebook models which may support Steam in Beta. And if both the methods fail, then you can try installing Unbuntu on your Chromebook.

Also Read: How To Install Minecraft On Chromebook With Easy Peasy Steps?

Let us know in the comment section which method worked for you and how was your overall experience! Find more Chromebook related interesting reads mentioned below!

You May Also Read:

Wrapping Up

If you want to run Steam on your Chromebook but are not sure how to install Steam on Chromebook then the first thing you should take care of is the compatibility of its specs and making sure that it’s up to mark or not! Generally, one should have a Core i5 or i7 processor for Steam games and a minimum of 8GB of RAM. Make sure you remember the fact that ARM-based Chromebooks do not support Steam using any of the methods mentioned in this article.

It’s pretty difficult to use Steam on an ARM-based device without accessing any other PC. But if you are having a non-ARM based Chromebook then there is nothing to worry about as you have already gone through the effective methods for how to install Steam on Chromebook!

Don’t forget to share this article with your friends who have Chromebook but can’t use Steam on it and make them enjoy the service!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will I Have To Pay To Use Steam On Chromebook?

There are no extra or hidden charges for using Steam on any specific device. However, you have to pay for paid titles which have no relation with the type of device that you are using!

Q. Can Any Chromebook Run Steam?

This depends on the fact that you are planning to operate Steam on a Chromebook with a stable internet connection or if you want to play remotely or wish to use cloud computing. If you wish to use the Linux or Steam Alpha apps intrinsically , then you have to find a Chromebook which supports Linux applications. You will also need a Chromebook with enough specs to manage the games you wish to play!

Q. Can I Install Steam On A Chromebook?

To operate Steam on a Chromebook, you have to install the official Steam for Chromebook Alpha on the compatible Chromebooks. On unsupported Chromebooks, you can either use the Steam Link Android app, install the Linux version of Steam or can install the full Ubuntu Linux OS, stream Steam from any other PC or can access cloud computing!

Q. How To Install Steam On Chromebook Without Linux?

To get Steam on your Chromebook without Linux: Launch A Browser > chrome://flags > #borealis-enabled > Enabled > Launch ChromeOS Launcher > Search > Steam > Select App and install!