How to Run Android Apps on Any Chromebook

Google recently released its very firstdeveloper preview with Android appsfor Chromebook and it’s pretty great. However, the new Chrome OS update is only available for the Asus Chromebook Flip. While we can expect devices like Acer Chromebook R11 and Google Chromebook Pixel to get the update next, owners of other Chromebooks will have to wait for quite some time. According toGoogle’s latest timeline, other Chromebooks will get the Play Store build later this year or early next year.

If you are impatient, just like us, there are other ways to run Android apps on a Chromebook. To run Android apps on Chrome OS, we will be using the ARC Welder app to make use of Google’s App Runtime for Chrome OS (beta). So, here’s how to run Android apps through it:

Use Android apps on any Chromebook through ARC Welder

1.Firstly, you will have to download theARC Wielder appfrom the Chrome Web Store.

2.Then,download the APK files of appsyou want to run on your Chromebook. You can download APK files fromAPKMirror.com.

3.After you have downloaded the APK file of an app,open the ARC Wielder app. In the app, you will see the one and only option to “Add your APK“. Click on the option.

4.Select the APK fileyou have downloaded from the Files app.

5.After the app has loaded the APK file, you will get various options to customize your app experience. You can select theorientation(portrait or landscape),form factor(tablet, phone, maximized or fullscreen) and you can choose to give the app “Clipboard access” or not. Once done, click on “Test” to start the app.

5.If you have an loaded on the ARC Welder app previously, the app will prompt you to remove it, before it can start loading the new APK. Then, the app should start up. You can then start using app through mouse or touch, if your Chromebook supports it.

Important Points to Note

The ARC Welder app is aimed at developers looking to optimize their Android apps for the Chrome OS, sodon’t expect great performance out of it. However, if you are just looking to use a few Android apps on your Chromebook, it’s not too shabby either. Having said that, if you plan on using ARC Welder, here are a few important points to note:

SEE ALSO:How to Enable Developer Mode on Chrome OS to Get Root Access

Try out Android apps on your Chromebook

While there are other emulator apps for Chrome OS that let you run Android apps, we did not have a great experience with them. For us, the ARC Welder app worked out the best. So, if you want to try out Android apps orplay games on your Chromebook, try out the aforementioned method but make sure to keep your expectations low. Do let us know your experience.

Rupesh Sinha

Rupesh is a section editor here and one of the hosts at our YouTube channel. A long time mobile lover and technology aficionado, he loves to indulge in all things technology! In his free time (which is non-existent), he loves watching Westworld, Silicon Valley, and Game of Thrones, obviously.

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