Chromebooks have evolved beyond simple web browsing devices. With advancements in Linux integration and the introduction of Steam, gaming on Chromebooks is now a viable option. Valve and Google have collaborated to enable Steam games on ChromeOS through the Proton compatibility layer within a Linux environment. This guide walks you through the process of installing and playing Steam games on your Chromebook.
Method 1: Stream Games on Chromebook Using Steam Link
If your Chromebook doesn’t fully support Linux or you want to play games that require more processing power, Steam Link is a great alternative. This method allows you to stream games from your desktop PC to your Chromebook.
Step 1: Open the Google Play Store.
Step 2: Search for Steam Link and install it.
Steam Link is a free app.
Step 3: Launch the Steam Link app on your Chromebook.
Step 4: Connect a gaming controller to your Chromebook via Bluetooth or USB. If you don’t have a controller, you can use a keyboard and mouse.
Step 5: Ensure that your PC (Windows or Linux) is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromebook and that Steam is running on your PC.
Step 6: The Steam Link app will automatically scan for available PCs running Steam on your network. Select your PC from the list.
Step 7: Pair the Steam Link app on your Chromebook with your PC. A PIN may be displayed on your Chromebook that you’ll need to enter on your PC.
Step 8: Once paired, you can start playing Steam games streamed directly from your PC to your Chromebook.
Method 2: How to Get Steam on Supported Chromebooks
For Chromebooks that meet specific hardware requirements, installing Steam directly is now easier than ever. This method installs the Borealis container automatically on the stable channel of ChromeOS.
Here are the minimum hardware requirements:
- At least an Intel i3 or Ryzen 3 CPU
- 8GB RAM or more
- 128GB storage or more
Step 1: Open the ChromeOS launcher.
Step 2: Search for Steam.
Step 3: Launch the Steam Installer app.
Step 4: Click Install to begin the Steam installation process.
Step 5: The installer will download and update Steam to the latest version.
Step 6: Sign in to your Steam account.
Step 7: Start downloading and playing games from your Steam library.
Method 3: How to Use Steam on Chromebook Using Linux
This approach leverages the Crostini Linux container to install and run Steam, similar to how you would on any Linux machine. This is a viable option for a broader range of Chromebooks that support Linux.
Step 1: Enable Linux support on your Chromebook.
Step 2: Open the Terminal app.
Step 3: Update the Linux packages by entering the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Step 4: Download the Steam installer (.deb file) from here.
Step 5: Double-click the downloaded .deb file.
Step 6: Click the Install button to install Steam.
Step 7: After installation, find Steam in the ChromeOS launcher and open it.
Step 8: Steam will download required dependencies and libraries.
Step 9: Log in to your Steam account to access your game library.
List of Steam-Supported Chromebooks
Steam on ChromeOS generally works best on Chromebooks with Ryzen 3 or Intel i3 processors (or later), 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Here are some Chromebook models known to be compatible:
- Acer Chromebook 514 (CB514-1W)
- Acer Chromebook 515 (CB515-1W)
- Acer Chromebook 516 GE (CBG516-1H)
- Acer Chromebook CB514-3H/3HT
- Acer Chromebook Plus 515 (CB515-2H, CB515-2HT)
- Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE
- Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (CP514-3H, CP514-3HH, CP514-3WH)
- Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (CP713-3W)
- Acer Chromebook Spin 714
- Acer Chromebook Vero 514
- Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip
- Asus Chromebook CX34 Flip (CX3401)
- Asus Chromebook CX3402CBA
- Asus Chromebook CX9 (CX9400)
- Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5500)
- Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601)
- Asus Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip
- Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip (CX3401)
- Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip
- Dell 5430 Chromebook
- Dell 5430 Chromebook 2-in-1
- Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition
- HP Chromebook 15.6 inch
- HP Chromebook x360 14 inch
- HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook
- HP Elite c640 14 inch G3 Chromebook
- HP Elite c645 G2 Chromebook
- HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook
- Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16
- Lenovo 5i Chromebook 16”/IdeaPad 5i Chromebook 16
- Lenovo 5i-14 Chromebook
- Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook 14”/IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook 14"
- Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook Plus 14
- Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook
As gaming on Linux improves, Chromebooks become increasingly viable gaming platforms, and for other options, cloud gaming services offer alternative methods to enjoy desktop titles on ChromeOS.