Google Play Store on Chromebook: How to get it on your device

Adrian 25 Aug 2025

If you’ve just bought (or are planning to buy) a Chromebook laptop, you’ve probably wondered: “How do I download Google Play Store on Chromebook?”

Here’s the twist: you don’t actually download it. The Google Play Store is already built into most modern Chromebooks; you just need to enable it.

Here’s how the Play Store works on Chromebooks, why it might not show up right away, and how to get it on your device.

🛒 Understanding the Chromebook App Store

A Chromebook isn’t just a smaller, cheaper version of a Windows or Mac laptop — it runs Google ChromeOS, a lightweight, secure operating system that’s deeply tied to Google’s ecosystem.

When people talk about the Chromebook app store, they usually mean the Google Play Store. But technically, there are three ways to get apps on a Chromebook:

Google Play Store – for Android apps (like on your phone).
Chrome Browser App Store – for Chrome extensions and Chrome web apps.
Linux (Beta) – for advanced users who want desktop Linux applications.

⬇️ Downloading Google Play Store on Chromebook

You might expect an installer like on Windows or an APK file like when you manually install an app on Android, but the truth is you cannot download it separately.

Instead, ChromeOS includes the Play Store natively on supported devices. If it’s not visible, you may just need to turn it on, create a shortcut for it, or adjust some settings on your device.

Therefore, Chromebooks either support the Google Play Store, or they don’t. If it’s truly unsupported, you can still use:

Web apps via the Chrome browser.
Linux apps (for advanced users).

👉 Don’t try to install the Play Store manually with APKs in Developer Mode unless you know exactly what you’re doing. It can break your system and may void your warranty.

⚙️ How to Enable Google Play Store on Chromebook

Here’s the step-by-step method to open Play Store on Chromebook:

Open Settings.
Go to Apps.
Find Google Play Store and click “Turn On”.
Accept the terms of service.
Launch the Play Store app from your app launcher.

Now you can install Android apps and games—just like on your phone.

🚫 Why Google Play Store Is Missing or Disabled

Most Chromebook laptops released since 2017 — including Acer, HP (Hewlett Packard), Lenovo, Samsung, Asus, Dell, and touchscreen Chromebook laptops — include Play Store support.

But sometimes the Play Store isn’t available, depending on the device or setup:

ChromiumOS devices (often very cheap models from China or unofficial sellers) don’t come with the Play Store at all.
Education models may have the Play Store permanently disabled by design.
Enterprise Chromebooks are controlled by IT administrators, who can block access to the Play Store.
Region restrictions mean Chromebooks sold in China often ship without the Play Store.
Older hardware (models released before 2017) may never support Android apps.

If you can’t open the Play Store on your Chromebook, it might be because:

The Play Store is disabled in Settings.
The app icon is missing from the launcher.
The Play Store won’t open due to a ChromeOS update issue.

👉 Always buy from reputable sellers and avoid outdated or region-locked models if you want a Chromebook with Google Play Store support.

💻 How to Get Google Play Store on Chromebook

1. If The Play Store App Is Missing from the Home Screen

Press the Search key and type Play Store.
Right-click → Pin to Shelf to keep it visible.

2. If The Play Store Is Enabled but its Icon Is Missing

Open Chrome and go to play.google.com/store
Click the three dots menu → More Tools → Create Shortcut.
Name it Google Play Store and check Open as Window.

3. If The Play Store Is Disabled and Toggle Can’t Be Turned On

If you navigate to Settings → Apps → Google Play Store and see that the toggle is greyed out or disabled, this typically means your Chromebook is managed by an organization—like a workplace or school.

For personal or non-managed devices: update ChromeOS (Settings → About ChromeOS → Check for updates) and restart the device.
For school/work devices: only your admin can enable it.
For Google Workspace (G Suite) users:
1. Log in to the Google Admin console at admin.google.com with a Super Admin account.
2. Use the search bar to type “chrome”, then click “Chrome Device Management”.
3. Navigate to User Settings within Chrome Device Management.
4. Scroll down to the Android Settings section and change all related dropdowns to allow Android apps (typically labeled along the lines of “Allow Android apps on Chrome devices”). Be sure to Save your changes.
5. On the Chromebook, sign out and sign back in. Return to Settings → Apps, search for “Play”—the Play Store toggle should now be enabled and clickable. Turn it on to activate the Play Store and accept the user license agreement when prompted.

❓ Quick FAQ About Google Play Store on Chromebooks

Is the Play Store free to use on Chromebooks?

✅ Yes. You only pay for paid apps, in-app purchases, or subscriptions.

Can I install Play Store with a downloaded APK?

❌ No, not officially. Developer Mode hacks exist but may void your warranty.

Are all Android apps compatible on Chromebook?

⚠️ Most are, but some only work on phones or tablets.

***

If you’re looking to download Google Play Store for Chromebook, the real answer is simple: you don’t download it—it’s already there on supported Chromebooks.

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