Use Steam on a Chromebook by Installing Steam as a Linux App
The first way to use Steam on a Chromebook is to install Steam as a regular Linux app. This is a somewhat complex process that requires you to enable Linux apps on your Chromebook, then install Steam using terminal commands. This option is only available if your Chromebook supports regular Linux apps, which not all Chromebooks do.
Enable Linux Apps on a Chromebook
If your Chromebook is capable of running regular Linux apps, you’ll have to enable the feature before you can install Steam. This is an easy process that involves selecting a toggle in your Chrome OS settings.
How to Install the Linux Steam App on Chrome OS
Once you have successfully set up your Chromebook to run regular Linux apps in Chrome OS, you are ready to install Steam. This process is rather complicated if you’ve never used Linux before, but it is not difficult. As an overview, you will need to open the Linux terminal on your Chromebook, then enter a series of commands and wait for each to finish executing before entering the next one. Here’s how to install Steam on a Chromebook as a regular Linux app:
How to Install Steam on a Chromebook That Does Not Support It
The other option works on all Chromebooks but is even more complicated. This option requires you to install Linux on your Chromebook, then install Steam through a Linux desktop environment like Ubuntu. Prior to the introduction of regular Linux apps, smart users found a workaround that allowed every Chromebook to run Linux alongside Chrome OS. This is a more complicated option than simply installing a Linux app through Chrome OS, but it’s the only option for most Chromebooks.
Use Crouton to Run Ubuntu Linux on Your Chromebook
If you want to use this method, you need to start by using Crouton to install Ubuntu, or another version of Linux, alongside Chrome OS on your Chromebook.
Switch From Chrome OS to the Ubuntu Desktop
Once you have Ubuntu running on your Chromebook, you can switch between Chrome OS and Ubuntu whenever you want with a simple key combination.
Intel and AMD Chromebooks: To switch back and forth, press CTRL+ALT+BACK and CTRL+ALT+FORWARD, then press CTRL+ALT+REFRESH to refresh the new desktop.ARM Chromebooks: To switch back and forth, press CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+BACK and CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+FORWARD.
Navigate to the official Steam site and select Install Steam. When Ubuntu Software opens, select Install and the app will automatically install.
Should You Install Steam on a Chromebook?
Most Chromebooks are not powerful enough to run brand new AAA games. But a lot of older games and many new indie games are capable of running on the pared-down hardware found in most Chromebooks. Alternatively, you can play CPU-intensive games by streaming them from a desktop PC to a Chromebook installed with Steam.
