Initially expected around February 11, Chrome OS 80 Stable Channel lands on Chromebooks starting today. Here’s what you need to know about the upgrade, which has some new UI tweaks, a Linux change and more.
Browsing: Sideloading
Android app sideloading is expected in Chrome OS 80 and the latest Dev Channel of the platform has the feature. Here’s how to install an Android app from outside of Google Play if you’re comfortable with the risk.
At long last, Google is bringing the ability to sideload Android apps to Chromebooks. The feature is planned for Chrome OS 80, helping both developers and power users alike.
Originally planned for between Chrome OS 69 and 72, a recent Chromium developer comment suggests that the ability to sideload Android apps on a Chromebook isn’t even likely for Chrome OS 75.
It’s not an official commitment to a particular release, but Google is considering a way to sideload Android apps from outside of the Google Play Store on a Chromebook in the next few months. It’s going to depend on security and other priorities, however.