How to Install Third-Party Browsers On Chromebook?
Changes are a part of life and you need to keep trying them to get the best and if you are a Chromebook user then one of the best changes for you is to try a browser other than Chrome. Yeah, you can do it. Don’t get surprised, In this post, we will be telling you “How To Install Third-Party Browsers On Chromebook”.
Chromebook was first introduced to the world by Google on 15 June 2011. Chromebooks are usually laptops or tablets with the ChromeOS that is based on Linux. The system was designed for people who intensely use web applications, especially Google Chrome. The company provides the in-built Chrome application but this does not mean that you cannot install third-party browsers on Chrome.
Whenever you wish to download any application on Chromebook you can do it in three ways. First, you can download the PlayStore applications, second, you can download the Windows Applications, and third, you can use the Linux Client.
In this post, we will be using the Linux client to install the third-party Browsers on Chromebook. The underlying idea is simple: all you have to do is install the Linux terminal on the ChromeOS and then use the code (Given in the article below) to install the web browsers.
Installing Third-Party Browsers On Chromebook
We know that chrome offers you a complete package, you will find every feature on its ChromeOS application. But, there may be various reasons for which you need to install Third-Party Browsers on Chromebook. One of the possible reasons may be that you are a developer. Whatever may be the reason. The following post will provide you with the apt ways to do it.
Pro Tip – “Ctrl + V” does not work on Linux Terminal. So, to paste the code copied from the post below, use the key Combination “Ctrl + Shift + V”
How To Install Mozilla Firefox on Chromebook
Mozilla is one of the most used web browsers on Laptops. Well, not only on laptops various versions of the browser can also be found for Android as well. We know that Chromebook is developed basically for the people who use the internet applications that are run on Google chrome.
However, you can also install third-party browsers on Chromebook. As we said, the Chrome OS works on Linux. So, if we enable Linux on the Chrome book then it will be easier for us to install the Firefox browser.
Also Read, How To Zip And Unzip Files On Chromebook | The Simplest Way
It is also true that Linux has got its own space on the Chrome OS. Well, How do we know? If you will download anything from the Firefox browser to your Chromebook. It will not be shown in the downloads folder rather you will find the file in the Linux folder.
So, to download Mozilla Firefox on your Chromebook, you have to first enable the Linux settings on the device. Follow the steps given below to do so.
- Go to the “Settings” option on your Chromebook and tap to open it.
- Navigate to the sidebar and locate the option “Linux” (Beta)
- Toggle button against the “Linux” On.
- A popup menu will be displayed to you, click on the “Install” button.
- The terminal installed will be found in the app drawer in the Linux folder.
Are you aware of the Firefox ESR, Extended Support Release? It is the version of Firefox that is already available in the repository of Chromebook. It is the version that does not receive the regular update from the company. But, receives the whole update after the update cycle is finished.
Well, if you want to install the standard version of Mozilla Firefox on Chromebook then you can install this version and use the commands given below to do so.
Code to install the Mozilla Firefox ESR version:
sudo apt install firefox-esr
Copy this code and paste it in the terminal installed and then press the Enter to install the Firefox ESR.
Code to Uninstall the Mozilla Firefox ESR version:
sudo apt install firefox-esr
Now that you have uninstalled the ESR version, you can easily install the standard version again. Just copy the following text to the Linux terminal installed and press “Enter”.
sudo apt remove firefox-esr
The standard version of the Mozilla Firefox browser will be installed on your Chromebook
How To Install Brave Browser on Chromebook
If you are looking for a browser on your Chromebook that has the ability to install all the chrome browser’s extensions and is more secure than Chrome as well. The best suggestion for you would be the chrome browser.
Yes, you can install the Brave Browser on your Chromebook. As we told you above, you have to install the Linux terminal first. So, the process would be installing the terminal, then updating all the dependencies, and then finally installing the third-party browsers on Chromebook.
Let us start with installing the Linux terminal
- Go to the “Settings” option on your Chromebook and tap to open it.
- Navigate to the sidebar and locate the option “Linux” (Beta)
- Toggle button against the “Linux” On.
- A popup menu will be displayed to you, click on the “Install” button.
- The terminal installed will be found in the app drawer in the Linux folder.
Also Read, 8 Amazing Photo Editing Apps For Chromebook!!
Inside the Linux, terminal start by updating the dependencies. To do so paste the following code inside the terminal.
sudo apt upgrade
If you are asked to upgrade anything on the system, just press “Y” and hit the “Enter” button.
Code install Brave browser using the Linux Terminal.
sudo apt install apt-transport-https curl
curl -s https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/brave-core.asc | sudo apt-key –keyring /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/brave-browser-release.gpg add –
echo “deb [arch=amd64] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install brave-browser
After pasting the above code in the Linux terminal hit “Enter” and then press Y. This will install the Brave Browser on your device.
Many people have complained about getting the “Error: Invalid Key” after the above process.
Well, if you also face the same issue. Enter the following code lines one by one on your Linux terminal.
sudo apt-key del C2D4E821
Hit “Enter”.
sudo apt remove brave-keyring
Hit “Enter”.
sudo apt clean
Hit “Enter”.
Now, paste the following code in the Linux terminal.
curl -s https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/brave-core.asc | sudo apt-key –keyring /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/brave-browser-release.gpg add –
echo “deb [arch=amd64] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install brave-browser
After pasting the above code in the Linux terminal hit “Enter” and then press Y. This will install the Brave Browser on your device.
How To Install Samsung Internet on Chromebook
Samsung Internet is one of the most downloaded and used web browsers in the world. Well, it is one of those browsers that work well with both the android as well the desktop version, just like Google Chrome.
All you have to do is go to the PlayStore and install the Samsung Internet. Open the application and then press on the three dots present on the top right corner of the application. Now, locate the option “Desktop Version” and click on it.
Samsung Internet will save the setting for the next time you open the browser on your Chromebook.
Also Read, Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 vs Galaxy Chromebook! Which One’s Best?
Wrapping Up
So, we have reached the conclusion that third-party browsers can be installed on the Chromebook. All you have to do is install the Linux Terminal and then use it to install the browsers. We hope that now you are clear with “How to Install Third-Party Browsers On Chromebook”. If you found this article helpful and informative then do share it with your Chromebook user friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can You Install Other Browsers On A Chromebook?
Yes, you can easily install third-party browsers on Chromebook. But, you need to install the Linux terminal on your system for that.
Q. How Do I Get Another Browser On My Chromebook?
To install third-party browsers on Chromebook, you need to install the Linux terminal on the system. Then you can use the Linux platform to install Third-Party Browsers on Chromebook. The files downloaded from these browsers will be saved inside the Linus folder.
Q. What Browser Can I Use With A Chromebook?
You can install various Third-Party Browsers on Chromebook. Some of the most used third-party browsers on Chromebook are
- Mozilla Firefox.
- Opera Browser.
- Brave Browser.
- Microsoft Edge.
- Dolphin Browser.
- Ghostery Browser.
- Samsung Internet