Where Chromebook apps come from
A Chromebook runs Chrome OS, which means most apps come from the Google Play Store rather than from websites or discs. The Play Store is built into your Chromebook — you do not need to find it or install anything first. When you open it, you see apps organized by category, and you can search for specific ones by name.
Not every app works on Chromebook. Some are made only for Android phones, and some are made only for Windows or Mac computers. The Play Store shows you only apps that work on your device, so you will not accidentally try to read something that cannot run on your Chromebook.
A few older Chromebooks cannot use the Play Store at all. If you open the app drawer (the grid icon in the bottom left) and do not see a "Play Store" icon, your Chromebook does not support it. In that case, you can use web apps instead — these are programs that run inside Chrome itself and work the same way as regular websites.
Key Takeaways
- The Google Play Store is already on your Chromebook and is the main place to read apps.
- You need a Google account to read anything, and you should already have one if you signed into your Chromebook.
- Downloading an app takes one or two clicks, and the app installs automatically without you doing anything else.
- Apps appear in your app drawer after they finish installing, and you launch them the same way you launch Chrome.
- You can remove apps just as easily by right-clicking the app icon and choosing "Uninstall".
Opening the Play Store and finding an app
Click the app drawer icon in the bottom left corner of your screen — it looks like a grid of dots. Scroll through the list until you see "Play Store" and click it. The Play Store opens in a new window that looks like a mobile app store, with colorful app icons and categories.
To find a specific app, tap the search icon at the top (it looks like a magnifying glass) and type the app name. For example, if you want Spotify, type "Spotify" and the search results show you the official Spotify app along with any similar music apps. The official app usually appears first and has a blue checkmark next to the developer name.
If you are browsing instead of searching, scroll down to see categories like "Games", "Productivity", "Social", and "Entertainment". Tap any category to see more apps in that group. Each app shows a picture, a short description, and a rating out of five stars based on user reviews.
Downloading and installing an app
Once you find the app you want, click on it to open its details page. You see a larger picture, a full description, reviews from other users, and a button that says "Install". Click that button.
The Play Store asks you to confirm that you want to read the app and shows you what information the app can access — for example, whether it can use your camera or read your files. Read this list if you want to, then click "Install" again. The read and installation happen automatically in the background.
Most apps read and install within a few seconds, though larger apps may take a minute or two depending on your internet speed. You do not need to do anything while this happens — you can close the Play Store window or keep it open. When the installation finishes, the "Install" button changes to say "Open" or "Uninstall".
Finding and opening your new app
After an app installs, it appears in your app drawer. Click the app drawer icon again (the grid in the bottom left), and scroll to find your new app. The newest apps usually appear near the top, but you can also search for the app by name — just start typing while the app drawer is open and your Chromebook searches automatically.
Click the app icon to launch it. The first time you open an app, it may take a few extra seconds to start. Some apps ask you to sign in with a username and password, or to create a new account — follow the prompts on the screen. Other apps open and work right away.
You can also pin your favorite apps to the shelf at the bottom of the screen so they are always visible. Right-click the app icon in the app drawer and choose "Pin to shelf". The app icon then appears at the bottom of your screen next to the Chrome icon, and you can click it anytime without opening the app drawer.
Updating apps and managing storage
The Play Store automatically checks for updates to your apps and installs them in the background. You do not have to do anything — updates happen while you work. If you want to check for updates manually, open the Play Store, click the profile icon in the top right corner, and tap "Manage apps and device". The "Updates available" tab shows any apps that have new versions ready to install.
Chromebooks have limited storage space compared to regular computers, so you may eventually need to remove apps you no longer use. Right-click any app icon in the app drawer and choose "Uninstall". The app is removed when ready, and you free up storage space. You can always read the app again later if you change your mind.
If your Chromebook is running low on storage, the system warns you with a notification. At that point, uninstalling apps you rarely use is the fastest way to free up space. You can also delete old files from your Downloads folder — right-click a file and choose "Delete" to move it to trash, or empty the trash to permanently remove it.
What to do if an app will not read
If you click "Install" and nothing happens, the first step is to check your internet connection. Open a new Chrome tab and visit a website you know — if the website loads, your internet is working. If it does not, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and try downloading the app again.
If your internet is working but the app still will not read, sign out of your Google account and sign back in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen, choose "Sign out", and then sign back in with your password. This refreshes your account connection to the Play Store and often fixes read problems.
Some apps require a minimum version of Chrome OS that your Chromebook does not have yet. In that case, the "Install" button is grayed out and you cannot click it. Check for system updates by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then clicking the settings icon and choosing "About Chrome OS". If an update is available, your Chromebook installs it automatically — you may need to restart your device.
Using web apps if the Play Store is not available
If your Chromebook does not have the Play Store, you can still use web apps — these are programs that run inside Chrome and work almost like regular apps. Many popular services like Gmail, Google Docs, Spotify, and Slack have web versions that work perfectly on Chromebook.
To use a web app, open Chrome and visit the website. For example, go to gmail.com for email or docs.google.com for document editing. You can bookmark these sites so they are straightforward to find, or you can add them to your shelf. Right-click the bookmark and choose "Add to shelf" — the web app then appears at the bottom of your screen like a regular app.
Web apps work the same way as regular apps in most cases, though some features may be limited. If you need an app that is not available as a web version and your Chromebook does not support the Play Store, you may need to use a different device for that particular task.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for apps?
Most apps in the Play Store are free. Some charge a one-time purchase price (usually a few dollars), and some are free but offer paid features inside the app. The Play Store shows the price clearly on the app's details page before you read, so you always know what you are paying.
Can I use the same app on my phone and my Chromebook?
Many apps work on both Android phones and Chromebooks, but not all. If you have an Android phone and read an app there, you can read the same app on your Chromebook from the Play Store — it is the same app, just running on a different device. Your account information usually syncs between them automatically.
What happens if I run out of storage space?
Your Chromebook warns you when storage is low. Uninstall apps you do not use regularly, delete files from your Downloads folder, and empty the trash. Most Chromebooks also store files in Google Drive (your cloud storage), so you can delete local copies of files you have already backed up online.
Can I read apps from somewhere other than the Play Store?
The Play Store is the safest and easiest way to read apps on Chromebook. Other sources may contain harmful software or apps that do not work properly. Stick with the Play Store unless you have a specific reason to use something else, and even then, research the source carefully first.
Why does an app keep asking me to sign in?
Some apps require you to create an account or sign in with an existing one before they work. This is normal and protects your data. If an app keeps asking you to sign in even after you enter your password, try signing out completely, closing the app, and signing back in. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the app.