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Google recently rolled out limited support for running Android apps on Chromebooks and Chromeboxes. But only a handful of apps are officially supported.

It didn’t take long for third-party developers to figure out how to load other Android apps… and even get them to run on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer with the Chrome web browser. Then a developer created a tool called Chrome APK Packager that makes converting an Android app on your phone into a Chrome-compatible app about as simple as can be… and now it’s even simpler.

Chrome APK Packager is available from the Google Play Store, which make it easy to install the app and keep it up to date.

chrome apk packager

Oh yeah, developer bpear96 also released the source code for Chrome APK Packager.

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20 replies on “Lilbits (9-26-2014): Installing Android apps on Chromebooks keeps getting easier”

  1. I think it would be neat to use Android apps on my Chromebook and other computers that have Chrome browser on it.

  2. ok so i can get apps to launch on my c720 i3 but i cant use them. the app pops up and thats it. nothing after that. can anyone assist me?

  3. Running Jitsi on an iphone or ipad via the andoid app – anyone tested that?
    Or, will Jitsi run on native Chromebrowser on iPhone or iPad?
    Anyone?

    1. PS – advantage of Jitsi is fully encrypted open source peer to peer video/voip session (not thru a Skype or Google Server – so can be MORE private) and with Jitsi VideoBridge (and/or Jitsi meet) there is an interesting web conferencing tool that is becoming more powerful as development moves forward.. Note that they have some deep pocket sponsors…so, the develoment direction most likely should consist of an all device direction? Mobile device support is not #1 on the list, they have an Adroid app in Beta. So, was just wondering if this direction by Google will make it easier to run non-approved by Apple apps via the Chrome Browser, etc?… including the variations of Jitsi.
      https://jitsi.org/
      https://jitsi.org/Documentation/FAQ – answers Andoid app question (and iphone/ipad)
      https://jitsi.org/Projects/JitsiMeet

      https://jitsi.org/Projects/JitsiVideobridge – WebRTC compatible

  4. The canceled Surface Mini would probably have been more awesome if it ran Windows 8 on Bay Trail.

    1. A 9 inch tab with active stylus support running anything from the best of atom to pentium with a bundled keyboard would be THE mini tablet to buy. Sadly we’ll probably get another RT related announcement.. which next to nobody will buy..

    1. The Android version is very awkward to use without a touchscreen from what I’ve seen.

  5. Will this work for popcorn time or do I still need to use Ubuntu?

      1. been trying all day. how do i unzip these files on my chromebook. specifically archon 1.1.

      2. Can you share your popcorntime app folder for chrome? I made one with the packager but can’t get it working on chrome os

      3. Please share the unpacked extension folder or explain how you did this!!!

  6. Unfortunately the only things from Android I’d really be interested in are games and I’ve yet to find many besides very basic ones that work, almost all other apps I use on my Android devices have web app versions that work just fine for me. Order and Chaos Online or Asphalt working under Chrome OS would be wonderful!

    1. Actually…I’d love to use the smart TV Guide for my Optik TV on a big desktop screen.

      1. All my media is done via streaming services to Chromecast’s in the house, so my media usage wouldn’t be improved from any Android app, however in your case I can see how that app would be nice to have. I did get Scanner Radio Pro to work fine with ARChon, you might want to see if that app runs.

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