sideloading apk files

[b0nko]

Can I use the xfce version of crouton to run apk files on my chromebook? My chromebook doesn't have built-in Linux support so I was hoping I could install crouton to do this.
Also, is there a visual version of crouton other than unity because when I tried installing unity, it said it wasn't compatible with my ARM chromebook or something

[TjDaHacker]

Do you know how to hack i-ready? pls i dont wanna do it

[DennisLfromGA]

@TjDaHacker,

That's off-topic, please don't hijack threads.

-DennisLfromGA

[DennisLfromGA]

@b0nko,

Can I use the xfce version of crouton to run apk files on my chromebook? My chromebook doesn't have built-in Linux support so I was hoping I could install crouton to do this.

If your device supports Google Play then once you're in Developer mode you can sideload apk files, no crouton chroot needed.

Also, is there a visual version of crouton other than unity because when I tried installing unity, it said it wasn't compatible with my ARM chromebook or something.

There are several other desktop targets to choose from, just run the following command to see them:

• crouton -t list

Hope this helps,
-DennisLfromGA

[TomTravis]

yes you can do this
the debootstrap chroots are many, I use debian mate for my work, put the apk package in downloads and install on the chromeOS side

testC -r list
Recognized debian releases:
potato! woody! sarge! etch! lenny! squeeze! wheezy! jessie! stretch! buster
bullseye bookworm sid
Recognized kali releases:
moto! kali! sana! kali-rolling
Recognized ubuntu releases:
warty! hoary! breezy! dapper! edgy! feisty! gutsy! hardy! intrepid! jaunty!
karmic! lucid! maverick! natty! oneiric! precise! quantal! raring! saucy!
trusty! utopic! vivid! wily! xenial yakkety! zesty! artful! bionic* cosmic!
disco! eoan! focal* groovy! hirsute! Impish* jammy
Releases marked with ! are upstream end-of-life, and should be avoided.
Releases marked with * are unsupported, but may work with some effort.
chronos@localhost ~ $ testC -t list
Available targets:
Python
Basic CLI tools such as ssh.
Requires: core
audio
Support audio playback via Chromium OS's audio system.
Requires: core
chrome
Google Chrome browser, stable channel.
Requires: x11
chrome-beta
Google Chrome browser, beta channel.
Requires: x11
chrome-dev
Google Chrome browser, dev channel.
Requires: x11
chromium
Chromium browser. Uses the distro's version, which may be old.
Requires: x11
cli-extra
Basic CLI tools such as ssh.
Requires: core
core
Performs core system configuration. Most users would want this.
e17
Installs the enlightenment desktop environment. (Approx. 50MB)
Requires: gtk-extra
extension
Clipboard synchronization and URL handling with Chromium OS.
Requires: x11
gnome
Installs the GNOME desktop environment. (Approx. 400MB)
Requires: gtk-extra
gnome-desktop
Installs GNOME along with common applications. (Approx. 1100MB)
Requires: gnome
gtk-extra
GTK-based tools including gdebi and a simple browser.
Requires: x11
kde
Installs a minimal KDE desktop environment. (Approx. 600MB)
Requires: x11
kde-desktop
Installs KDE along with common applications. (Approx. 1000MB)
Requires: kde
keyboard
Adds support for Chromebook keyboard special keys.
Requires: x11
kodi
Installs the KODI media player. (Approx. 200MB)
Requires: x11
libreoffice
Libreoffice.
Requires: core
lxde
Installs the LXDE desktop environment. (Approx. 200MB)
Requires: gtk-extra
lxde-desktop
Installs LXDE along with common applications. (Approx. 800MB)
Requires: lxde
mate
Installs the mate desktop environment. (Approx. 250MB)
Requires: gtk-extra
mate-desktop
Installs mate along with common applications. (Approx. 1200MB)
Requires: mate
tools
tools.
Requires: core
touch
Touchscreen and limited generic gesture support.
Requires: x11
unity
Installs the Unity desktop environment. (Approx. 700MB)
Requires: gtk-extra
unity-desktop
Installs Unity along with common applications. (Approx. 1100MB)
Requires: unity
x11
X11 via autodetected backend. Does not install any desktop environment.
xfce
Installs the Xfce desktop environment. (Approx. 250MB)
Requires: gtk-extra
xfce-desktop
Installs Xfce along with common applications. (Approx. 1200MB)
Requires: xfce
xiwi
X.org X11 backend running unaccelerated in a Chromium OS window.
Requires: audio extension
xorg
X.Org X11 backend. Enables GPU acceleration on supported platforms.
Requires: audio
be aware using shell to install may not be the best idea for tools and Desktops

my shell update
testC and download to install

update the apt /etc/apt sources.list file and use sudo apt-get install or git repo and build for python rust ninja meson go this is what I do