File types and external devices that work on Chromebooks
Chromebooks can use the following file types, external devices, and cloud storage systems.
Note: If you're using your Chromebook at work or school, some devices or files might not work with your Chromebook. For more help, contact your administrator.
- Microsoft Office files: .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt (read-only), .pptx (read-only). Learn more about viewing and editing Office documents.
- Media: .3gp, .avi, .mov, .mp4, .m4v, .m4a, .mp3, .mkv, .ogv, .ogm, .ogg, .oga, .webm, .wav
- Images: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .webp
- Compressed files: .zip, .rar
- Other: .txt, .pdf (read-only; you won't be able to edit these files)
Chromebooks can connect to the following devices:
- MTP devices (can read & write files)
- USB keyboards (Windows and Mac versions)
- USB mice with the following features: left button, right button, scrollwheel
- USB hubs
- Certain Bluetooth devices
- Monitors with DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, or VGA connections
- USB, DisplayPort, and HDMI audio devices
- Headset with a 3.5 mm jack
- Webcam with a USB cable
- MP3 player or mobile phone with a USB cable (can be used for charging)
- Huawei mobile dongle
| Container | Video codec | Audio codec |
|---|---|---|
| ogv | Theora | -- |
| webm |
VP8 VP9 |
Opus Vorbis |
| mp4 | H264 | -- |
| MPEG4 | -- | |
| mov | MPEG4 | -- |
| H264 | -- | |
| avi | MPEG4 | MP3 |
| DIVX | MP3 | |
| XVID | MP3 | |
| 3gp | H264 | AAC |
| MPEG4 | AMR-NB |
You can access files on external devices connected to your Chromebook if they use the following types of filesystems:
- FAT (FAT16, FAT32, exFAT)
- HFS+ (read-only on journaled HFS+)
- ISO9660 (read-only)
- MTP
- NTFS
- UDF (read-only)
- USB hard drives and thumb drives
- USB CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives (read-only)
Remove a storage device safely by clicking Eject 
Note: If your Chromebook has an SD card slot, you can also use an SD or microSD card. MicroSD cards can be used in full-sized SD card slots with an adapter.
Chromebooks work with cloud file systems, like Google Drive, Box, or SMB. To connect to an SMB file share:
- In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher
Up arrow
.
- Open Files
.
- In the top right, select More
.
- Select Add new service
- A window will open. Select Add File Share. Fill out your info.
- Select Add.
Up arrow 
.
.To connect to other cloud file systems:
- In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher
- Open Files
- In the top right, select More
- Select Install new service.
- To install a new cloud file system, choose a system and follow the onscreen steps.
Phones
Chromebooks can connect to certain phones. You can unlock your Chromebook with an Android phone.
Troubleshoot problems with file types and external devices
This error means that this file type isn't working on your Chromebook at this time.
Instead, try saving the file to Google Drive or another web application, then opening it in your browser.
Your Chromebook might not support the external storage device you're trying to use. Make sure your external storage device's format is supported.
If your storage device is supported, make sure your Chromebook is using the latest version of Chrome OS.
If your Chromebook is using the latest version, and no updates are available, try using Google Drive to view the files:
- Plug your storage device into another computer.
- Upload the files from the device to a cloud file system, such as Google Drive.
- Open your Chromebook, then open Google Drive to view the files.
You'll need to reformat your external storage device before you can use it with your Chromebook. Follow the steps below.
Important: These steps will erase all your files stored on the storage device. Make sure to back them up somewhere else before erasing.
- In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher
Up arrow
.
- Select Files
- On the left, select the external storage device.
- In the window that appears, select Format.
Up arrow 
.