You can install Linux tools, editors, and IDEs on your Pixelbook. These can be used to write code, create apps, and more.
Note: Linux support is still in Beta. You might experience issues.
- Select the time in the bottom right to open your status area.
- Select Settings
- Under "Linux (Beta)," select Turn On.
- Follow the steps on the screen. Setup can take 10 minutes or more.
- A terminal window opens. You can run Linux commands, install more tools using the APT package manager, and customize your shell.
Security & permissions
Your Chrome OS device typically protects your computer by running each app in a "sandbox." However, all Linux apps are run inside the same sandbox. This means a harmful Linux app can affect other Linux apps, but not the rest of your device.
Permissions and files shared with Linux are available to all Linux apps.
To learn more about sandboxing, see Related articles.
Back up & restore
If you're having trouble with back up and restore, check the Related articles for more information on how to back up and replace your Linux (Beta) files and apps.
Fix problems with Linux
If you're experiencing issues with Linux or Linux apps, try the following steps:
- Restart your device.
- Check that your virtual machine is up-to-date. In your browser, go to
chrome://components. Under "cros-termina," select Check for update. If you download an update, you might need to restart your device. - Update your packages. Open the Terminal app, then run this command:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Note: You might need to restart your device for changes to take effect. Linux automatically checks for new packages after initial setup and every 24 hours when it is running.
Check what's not supported yet
- Speakers, microphones, cameras, and USB devices are not yet supported.
- Android Studio is not yet supported, including Emulators and USB debugging.
- Hardware acceleration is not yet supported, including GPU and video decode.
- ChromeVox is supported for the default Terminal app, but not yet for other Linux apps.