Chromebooks use the Google Play Store, not traditional software downloads

A Chromebook runs Chrome OS, which works differently from Windows or Mac. Instead of downloading .exe or .dmg files, you install apps from the Google Play Store — the same app store on Android phones. Most Chromebooks come with the Play Store built in. If yours doesn't, you can turn it on in Settings. Apps install directly to your Chromebook and run from your shelf (the taskbar at the bottom).

This approach means fewer viruses and simpler updates — Google handles both automatically. It also means you're limited to apps available in the Play Store. If you need desktop software like Photoshop or specialized engineering tools, a Chromebook won't run them. But for browsing, email, documents, video, and most everyday tasks, the Play Store has what you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Google Play Store app on your Chromebook shelf and search for the app you want, just like on a phone.
  • Click the app, then click Install, and it downloads and opens automatically without asking for a restart.
  • Apps appear on your shelf after installation and stay there until you remove them.
  • If the Play Store isn't on your Chromebook, go to Settings, click Apps, then Google Play Store, and turn it on.
  • Some apps require permissions (camera, location, files) — review these before installing, as they're the main security choice you make.

Finding and installing an app from the Play Store

Click the circle icon in the bottom left corner of your screen (your app launcher). Type the name of the app you want — for example, "Spotify" or "Microsoft Word". The Play Store results appear when ready. Click the app you want.

A detail page opens showing the app's description, reviews, and permissions. Click the blue Install button. The app downloads in the background. You'll see a notification when it's done, and the app usually opens automatically. If it doesn't, click the notification or find the app on your shelf (the taskbar at the bottom of the screen).

That's the entire process. No restart needed, no license keys, no installation wizard. The app is ready to use when ready.

Understanding app permissions before you install

Before you click Install, scroll down on the app's detail page to see what permissions it's asking for. These are the resources the app can access — your camera, microphone, files, location, contacts, or calendar. A photo editor needs camera access. A maps app needs location. A note-taking app might not need either.

If an app asks for permissions that don't make sense for what it does, that's a warning sign. A flashlight app doesn't need access to your contacts. A calculator doesn't need your location. You can't selectively deny permissions on a Chromebook the way you can on Android — you either install the app with all its permissions or you don't install it. If the permissions concern you, search for an alternative app instead.

Google reviews apps before they appear in the Play Store, so malware is rare. But permissions are still the main security choice you make as a user.

Turning on the Google Play Store if it's not visible

Some Chromebooks, especially older ones or those set up for schools, don't have the Play Store enabled by default. To turn it on, click the time in the bottom right corner, then click the gear icon to open Settings.

Click Apps in the left menu. Click Google Play Store. Toggle the switch to the right to turn it on. Your Chromebook will restart, and the Play Store app will appear on your shelf. This is a one-time step — once it's on, it stays on.

Managing apps on your shelf and removing ones you don't use

Every app you install appears as an icon on your shelf at the bottom of the screen. You can rearrange them by dragging and dropping. Right-click any app icon to see options: you can uninstall it, open it in a new window, or pin it so it stays visible even when you're not using it.

To remove an app completely, right-click its icon and select Uninstall. The app disappears from your shelf and is deleted from your Chromebook. You can always reinstall it later from the Play Store — your Chromebook remembers which apps you've installed before, so reinstalling is faster the second time.

If your shelf gets crowded, click the app launcher (the circle in the bottom left) to see all your apps in a grid. You don't have to keep every app on the shelf; you can launch them from the app launcher instead.

Updating apps automatically and checking for updates manually

Google Play Store apps update automatically in the background, usually overnight or when your Chromebook is plugged in and idle. You don't have to do anything — updates happen without interrupting your work.

If you want to check for updates right now, open the Play Store app, click your profile icon in the top right, and select Manage apps and device. Click the Updates tab to see which apps have updates waiting. Click Update all to install them all at once, or click individual apps to update them one at a time.

Updates are always free and don't require a restart. Once an update finishes, the app is ready to use when ready.

What to do if an app won't install or keeps crashing

If an app won't install, the most common reason is that your Chromebook doesn't have enough storage space. Click the time in the bottom right, then Settings, then Device, then Storage management. You'll see how much space is free. If you're below 1 GB free, delete files or uninstall apps you don't use, then try installing again.

If an app installs but crashes when you open it, try these steps in order: first, close the app completely and reopen it. Second, uninstall the app and reinstall it from the Play Store. Third, restart your Chromebook (click the time, then the power icon). If it still crashes after a restart, the app may not be compatible with your Chromebook model, or it may have a bug. Check the app's reviews in the Play Store — if many people report crashes, the developer may have already fixed it in a newer version, or you may need to use a different app instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install desktop software like Microsoft Office or Photoshop on a Chromebook?

No. Chromebooks only run apps from the Google Play Store, which are designed for Chrome OS. Microsoft Office and Photoshop are desktop applications that require Windows or Mac. However, you can use free web versions of these programs in your browser — Microsoft 365 online, Google Docs, Canva, and Pixlr all work on Chromebooks without installing anything.

Do I need a Google account to use the Play Store?

Yes. Your Chromebook is signed into a Google account, and the Play Store uses that account to track which apps you've installed and to handle payments if you buy apps. You can't use the Play Store without being signed in, but signing in is part of setting up your Chromebook.

Can I sideload apps that aren't in the Google Play Store?

Technically yes, but it's complicated and not recommended for most users. Chromebooks can run Linux apps if you enable Developer Mode, but this requires wiping your Chromebook and is mainly for programmers. For everyday use, stick to the Play Store.

What happens to my apps if I sign out of my Google account?

Your apps stay on your Chromebook, but you won't be able to update them or install new ones until you sign back in. If you sign into a different Google account, you'll see the apps that account installed, not the ones from your previous account.

Is it safe to install apps from the Google Play Store?

Yes, generally. Google reviews all apps before they appear in the Play Store and scans them regularly for malware. The main risk is apps asking for excessive permissions — review what each app wants access to before you install. Stick to apps from well-known developers or those with many positive reviews if you're unsure.