How to sideload Android APKs on your Chromebook

Chromebooks are versatile devices suitable for various tasks, such as productivity, gaming, and watching movies. Various apps from the Google Play Store or Linux apps and progressive web apps can be used. However, if the desired app is not available on the Play Store, it may be necessary to sideload an Android Package Kit (APK) onto the device.

Before proceeding, it is essential to note that sideloading apps carries risks, as Google has not verified apps obtained outside the Play Store. Therefore, due diligence is necessary to ensure the APK is legitimate and free from malware or other threats.

To sideload an APK onto a Chromebook, one can use Google's official methods that require Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is only applicable to Chromebooks introduced after 2020 and requires the APK to be present on the device beforehand. Firstly, Linux should be enabled on the Chromebook if not already done. Open Settings, click about ChromeOS, select Developers, and click Set up on the Linux development environment option.

Follow the brief setup process, allocating storage space for Linux. Next, go to the Developers sub-menu, click Develop Android apps, and toggle Enable ADB debugging on. The Chromebook will restart upon completion.

Once the system restarts, a message will appear, warning that the device may contain apps not verified by Google. The first option to run the APK is through Terminal. Install ADB with the command sudo apt install adb, then input adb connect arc and authorize USB debugging. Finally, install the APK by moving or copying it to the Linux Files folder and inputting adb install filename.apk, replacing filename.apk with the actual APK name. The app can then be launched from the Chrome OS launcher.

Alternatively, the APK can be installed using an emulator in Android Studio. If Android Studio has not been set up, locate the DEB package in Files, My Files, Downloads, and move or copy it to Linux Files. In the Linux terminal, run sudo apt install ./android-studio-panda2-cros.deb. Open Android Studio, create an Android Virtual Device, and drag and drop the APK onto the emulator screen. After installation, access the app from the apps list.