How to run Steam on Chromebook computers

Chrome OS may not be for gaming, but we’ve managed to get Steam working on Chromebooks!

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Steam is one of the most popular gaming platforms and a very powerful digital distribution service. Steam officially is supported on Windows, Mac, and Linux, but what about Chromebooks? It’s possible, though the experience isn’t perfect, and there’s a few catches involved in the process.

Can Chromebooks run Steam?

Steam

Does Steam work on a Chromebook? The short answer is: yes, it’s possible. The longer answer is that it isn’t a simple process, as there is no native Steam Chrome OS app. Not to mention your Chromebook’s internals may not even be able to handle Steam. Let’s dig deeper into the details.

Warning: Some of these methods require using commands and even more complex processes like installing a new operating system on your computer. Avoid taking on these challenges if you don’t feel very confident with such techniques.

Is your Chromebook powerful enough?

Chromebooks are known for making great affordable computers. This is because Chrome OS is not very resource-intensive, and manufacturers can get away with keeping specs modest while still showing outstanding performance. But that only works if you are doing basic computer tasks with an affordable Chromebook. Don’t think you can run powerful Steam games on Chromebook devices that fall under the lower-end spectrum.

If you will use a Chromebook for gaming or other resource-intensive tasks, we recommend that you first get a Chromebook powerful enough to do so. Some devices come with more powerful processors like an Intel Core i5 or i7 chip. Take a look at our recommendations for the best Chromebook devices to find some of these.

Here: These are the best Chromebook devices you can buy

Check if your Chromebook can run Linux and Android apps

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Some methods used for running Steam on Chromebook devices require using native Linux apps or Android applications from the Google Play Store. Not all Chromebooks can handle Linux and/or Android apps, so you need to make sure the one you will be using to run Steam on Chromebook does. We have a handy list of Chromebook devices that can take advantage of Linux and Android apps, so check it out below.

Here: These are all the Chromebooks that can run Android and Linux apps

How to get Steam on Chromebook devices using Steam Link Android app

This is the easiest way to run Steam on Chromebook computers, but it has more demanding requirements. The Steam Link Chromebook app basically brings the gaming experience to any mobile device (including Chromebooks), but it operates by connecting to a PC in your same network. You would essentially be streaming games to your Chromebook from another PC.

This brings certain limitations. You can’t take the gaming experience everywhere, for starters, as it limits you to the network you have your other computer connected to. This also requires that you own another computer, at which point you might as well game using the other PC. But this is a great method if you, for example, have a potent family computer at home and want to game from another room.

Just follow the instructions below:

1. Open the Google Play Store and install Steam Link.
2. Make sure your Chromebook is connected to the same network as your other computer, and using the same Steam account.
3. Open the Steam Link app and sign in to your Steam account.
4. Pair a Steam-compatible controller.
5. Connect to your PC.
6. Game away!

How to install Steam on Chromebook devices using the Linux app

If your Chromebook can run native Linux apps, you can also install the full Steam Linux application and run everything locally. This requires some more tinkering and know-how, but it can definitely be done. Check the instructions below to learn how to download Steam on Chromebook using Linux app compatibility.

Let’s start by enabling Linux apps on your Chromebook:

1. Click on the System Tray, which is the area in the bottom-right corner of your Chrome OS UI.
2. Select the gear icon to open the Settings.
3. Click on Advanced to see more options.
4. Find the Linux development environment (Beta) section.
5. Press the Turn on button next to the Linux box.
6. Click Install.
7. A command terminal window will appear when everything is installed.
8. You are now ready for the more confusing part!

How to install Steam Linux app on Chromebooks:

1. If the Linux terminal window isn’t opened, press Shift + Ctrl + T simultaneously.
2. Type this command and then press enter: echo ‘deb http://httpredir.debian.org/debian/ jessie main contrib non-free’ | sudo tee -a /etc
3. Then enter this command: sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386
4. Followed by this one: sudo apt update
5. Finally, enter this command: sudo apt install steam
6. Press Y to confirm.
7. Agree to the terms.
8. Let the installation process finish. Then go ahead and launch the app by entering the command steam in the terminal.

You can install Steam on Chromebook devices if you install Ubuntu Linux OS

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Installing a second operating system in your Chromebook sounds like a huge undertaking. If you have some technical knowledge, are willing to do some research, and don’t mind a challenge, it’s a good way to have all the benefits of Chrome OS while also accessing a full desktop OS from your Chromebook. You aren’t really replacing Chrome OS with Ubuntu. They can run side to side, making this a convenient option for gaming and other tasks.

Just keep in mind anything that happens to your computer while doing this is your responsibility. We can provide the steps, but you should really know what you are doing before following them.

First, enable Developer mode:

Keep in mind that enabling Developer Mode will wipe your Chromebook. Not that it matters much, as most Chromebook data lives online, but make sure you back up any local data first.

1. You need to boot into Recovery Mode.
2. Turn your computer off.
3. Press the Esc + Refresh + power buttons simultaneously (the combination could be different on some Chromebooks).
4. Once in Recovery Mode, press Ctrl + D.
5. You will be asked if you want to “turn OS verification off.” Press enter to do so.
6. A warning will appear every time you reboot. Press Ctrl + D to continue.

Now install Ubuntu with crouton:

1. Download the crouton script from here.
2. Open Shell by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
3. Type shell and press enter.
4. Write sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -t unity and press enter.
5. The installation process will begin. This will take some time, so let the computer do its thing.

Once the installation process finishes, you will have both Ubuntu and Chrome OS available to you. It’s now possible to switch between operating systems by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Back and Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Forward. You will be thrown back to Chrome OS if you log out of Ubuntu. Get back in Ubuntu by typing the command sudo startunity in shell.

Now you have a Linux OS at your disposal. Open the terminal and enter the sudo apt install steam command to install Steam on the Chromebook.

Streaming Steam from another PC

Chrome Web Store

This is not the best solution because streaming usually involves some lag, but if you have good network speeds with minimal ping streaming Steam from another PC is definitely an option. You can do this using something like Chrome Remote Desktop.

This is a Chrome feature that allows you to connect to a PC and control it from any other device, whether that be another computer or a mobile device. Of course, this requires that you actually own another PC, so not everyone can go this route.

1. Install Steam on the PC you will be accessing remotely.
2. If you haven’t yet, download the Chrome browser.
3. Go to the Chrome Remote Desktop website.
4. Go the the Remote Desktop tab.
5. Under the Set up remote access section, select Turn on.
6. Choose a name and hit Next.
7. Choose a PIN and pick Start.
8. Now move to your Chromebook and open the Chrome browser.
9. Go to the Chrome Remote Desktop website.
10. Select the computer you want to access.
11. Enter the PIN you selected.
12. Now you can access your PC remotely and open Steam (or any other program).

Alternatively, you can use something like TeamViewer or Windows Remote Desktop. We just recommend Chrome Remote Desktop because Chrome is built into Chromebooks already.

Use Steam on Chromebook through cloud computing

Shadow

There are ways to stream a Windows machine to your Chromebook without actually owning another machine. Cloud computing is a newer way to use powerful computers at a distance, but it requires a stable internet speed with minimal ping to be a viable option.

We recommend Shadow Cloud Computing, which offers a subscription service that starts at $29.99 per month. This will grant you access to a virtual machine with equivalent specs to a gaming PC. You can pay extra for upgrades too.

Shadow recommends the following data speeds: 15Mbps download, 5Mbps upload, no more than 30ms ping, and no more than 10ms jitter. If your internet meets these requirements, you can go ahead and use your Shadow virtual machine from any mobile device, including Chromebooks. This remote Windows computer can run Steam and most games with no issues.

Keyword: How to run Steam on Chromebook computers