Get PlayStore in ChromeOS Flex

get-playstore-in-chormeos-flex.md

Get Play Store in ChromeOS Flex (Unofficial)

Important:

• Official ChromeOS Flex does not support the Play Store or Android apps.
• This guide uses unofficial methods (e.g., Brunch + a full ChromeOS recovery image) to achieve Play Store functionality.
• Success is not guaranteed for all devices; proceed at your own risk.

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1. Basic Requirements

• A 64-bit (x86_64) PC with UEFI firmware.
• Administrator (root) privileges on the device.
• Familiarity with Linux terminal commands.

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2. CPU Compatibility

ChromeOS with Android support typically needs at least a 4th Gen Intel (Haswell) or AMD Ryzen. Older CPUs are less likely to work. In particular:

• Intel: 4th Gen (Haswell) or newer.
• AMD: Ryzen architectures (and a few older APUs like Stoney Ridge).

Not supported:

• Dedicated GPUs (NVIDIA/AMD discrete graphics) can cause issues.
• Very old Intel/AMD CPUs (~pre-2013).
• Virtual machines or ARM-based systems.

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3. Which ChromeOS Image to Download?

Reference Table

Use this table to see which codename or platform (in ChromeOS recovery lists) corresponds to your CPU generation. Then, go to the ChromeOS Recovery Images or Chromium Dash Serving Builds page, find that codename, and download the Stable image.

CPU Generation / Series	Example CPU Models	Look for these Codenames / Platforms
Intel Haswell (4th Gen)	i3-4xxx, i5-4xxx, i7-4xxx	Often just “Haswell” references
Intel Broadwell (5th Gen)	i3-5xxx, i5-5xxx, i7-5xxx	Often just “Broadwell” references
Intel Skylake (6th Gen)	i3-6xxx, i5-6xxx, i7-6xxx	“Skylake”
Intel Kabylake (7th Gen)	i3-7xxx, i5-7xxx, i7-7xxx	“Kabylake” or “Kabylake U/R”
Intel Apollolake (Celeron/Pentium)	N3350, N3450, N4200	“Apollolake”
Intel Geminilake (Celeron/Pentium)	N4000, N4100, N4120	“Geminilake” or “GLK”
Intel Cometlake (10th Gen)	i3-10xxx, i5-10xxx, i7-10xxx	“Cometlake”
Intel Tigerlake (11th Gen)	i3-11xxx, i5-11xxx, i7-11xxx	“Tigerlake”
Intel Jasperlake (Celeron/Pentium)	N4500, N5100, N6000	“Jasperlake / JSL+”
Intel Alderlake (12th Gen)	i3-12xxx, i5-12xxx, i7-12xxx	“Alderlake-N”, “Alderlake-U/P”
Intel Raptorlake (13th Gen)	i3-13xxx, i5-13xxx, i7-13xxx	“Raptorlake-U/P”
AMD Stoney Ridge	A4, A6, E2, etc. (older APUs)	“Stoney Ridge”
AMD Picasso / Dali / Pollock	Ryzen 3000/4000 series (e.g. 3250C)	“Picasso”, “Dali”, or “Pollock”
AMD Cezanne / Barcelo	Ryzen 5000 series (5500C, 5700C)	“Cezanne” or “Barcelo”
AMD Mendocino	Some low-power Ryzen 7000	“Mendocino”

Example:

• An Intel Core i5-10210U (10th Gen) → Cometlake.
• An AMD Ryzen 3 3250C → Picasso/Dali/Pollock.

Download the matching recovery image in .bin or .img format from one of the official ChromeOS update serving sites.

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4. Create a Bootable USB

1. USB Drive: At least 16 GB.
2. Chromebook Recovery Utility (Chrome extension):
   • Install it.
   • Launch → “Use local image” → point to your .bin or .img → follow prompts → create USB.

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5. Install ChromeOS (Unofficial) to PC

You’ll likely need the Brunch Framework or a similar tool that injects needed files so that the full ChromeOS system (including Android) can boot on generic PCs. Standard ChromeOS Flex alone lacks Android/Play Store support.

1. Reboot & BIOS

   • Press F2, F12, Del, or Esc after powering on.
   • Disable Secure Boot.
   • Save changes.

2. Select USB Boot

   • Insert the ChromeOS USB.
   • Choose it as the boot device.

3. Open Terminal

   • Once ChromeOS boots from USB, press Ctrl + Alt + T.

4. Enter Shell & Root

   shell
   sudo su

5. (Optional) Resize Data

   sudo resize-data

   If you need extra space for Android apps.

6. Install

   • Identify your disk (e.g., /dev/sda or /dev/nvme0n1).

   sudo chromeos-install --dst /dev/[YourDisk]

   Example:

   sudo chromeos-install --dst /dev/sda

7. Complete Installation

   • Follow on-screen instructions.

8. Reboot & Set Up

   • Sign in with your Google account.
   • Check “Settings” → “Google Play Store” to enable (if your build has it).

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6. Verify Play Store

• If all went well and the image you downloaded includes the Android subsystem, you’ll see a Play Store in Settings.
• Sign in, accept Terms, and try installing Android apps.
• Results vary; some devices might not have all drivers or hardware features.

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7. Enjoy (With Caution)

Congrats! You have (unofficial) ChromeOS on your PC, potentially with Android apps. Keep in mind that auto-updates, hardware compatibility, and stability can vary widely.

Could you clarify how you know pen terminal to execute commands in point 3 please.

@idarek updated instructions

One more thing.
You referring:

• download Rammus, there are two rammus-leona and rammus-shyvana
• download Volteer, multiple options there
• download Zot, multiple options there

any specific need to be or doesn't matter?

@idarek

For Intel processors from 3rd to 9th gen, download Rammus.
For Intel processors from 10th gen onwards, download Volteer.
For AMD processors, download Zot.

@idarek

For Intel processors from 3rd to 9th gen, download Rammus. For Intel processors from 10th gen onwards, download Volteer. For AMD processors, download Zot.

If you go to the download link, there are more options to choose (download) under each of these. Do you download any specific?

@idarek usually try with the Stable version of the choosen one

@idarek usually try with the Stable version of the choosen one

Please have a look at the link you provided. volteer got 13 sub-versions, all stable, this is why I want to know which one specifically you referring that will work?

@idarek can be any, u will replace the image, if is doesn't work, try the next one stable. If none works, then your hardware is not fully compatible

with only these images won't work, you need Brunch bootloader for that to boot properly

I gave up on this, as the guide was not working on anything apart from the person who wrote it. I checked multiple images and different devices and only wasted time on it.

Brunch is nonsense, as its only working on devices that are capable to run Windows 11, hence there is no sense of going with it.

There is nothing named ZOT in the given link. Please update it. I don't know which one to use for AMD now.

There is nothing named ZOT in the given link. Please update it. I don't know which one to use for AMD now.

Use Zork instead

ctrl+alt+t does not bring up the terminal . and due to it being the initial steps the installation cannot proceed . however i found a method which works by including the brunch framework and it seems easy to perform . thanks .

I try to get de download link for rammus leona but i cant find it.

Can someone put de download link in this toppic?

Thanks in advance

Updated, but not tested, no time to check it. Try at ur own risk

Funny how you mention brunch which is someone uses their instructions then this is useless.

If ik klick on the Chromebook-recovery intall button in this toppic nothing happens because the webpage is gone.

Can somebody put a link voor the chromebook recovery program ?

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/chromebook-herstelprogram/pocpnlppkickgojjlmhdmidojbmbodfm

hi
in this part : sudo chromeos-install --dst /dev/[YourDisk]
when i type my hard drive name this error is upear
Argument is not valid
my hard drive type is Emmc Drive mmcblk0
please help me to solve it. thank you