Before installing Ubuntu on your Chromebook, you first need to enable Developer Mode.
Enable Developer Mode
While most of your data in Chrome OS is stored server-side in the cloud, you may have important files saved locally, such as those found in your Downloads folder. In addition to disabling certain security restrictions and allowing you to install a customized version of Ubuntu, activating Developer Mode deletes all local data on a Chromebook automatically. Therefore, back up essential local data on an external device or move it to the cloud before taking the steps below.
Install Ubuntu Using Crouton
The main reasons to choose Crouton are its simplicity, and it can run Chrome OS and Ubuntu side-by-side, eliminating the need to hard boot into one operating system at a time. To get started, open the Chrome browser, and follow these steps:
Start Using Linux
After you enable Developer Mode and install Ubuntu, follow these steps to launch the Linux desktop each time you power on your Chromebook. You’ll see the warning screen stating that OS verification is off every time you reboot or turn the power on because Developer Mode remains active until you manually disable it, and is required to run Crouton. The version of Ubuntu that you installed doesn’t come with much pre-installed software. The most common method for locating and installing Linux applications is through apt-get. This command-line tool searches for and downloads countless applications within Ubuntu. AMD and Intel-based Chromebooks offer access to more working applications than those running ARM chips. However, ARM-based Chromebooks run some of the most popular Linux applications.
Back up Your Data
While most data and settings in Chrome OS are automatically stored in the cloud, the same cannot be said for files created or downloaded during your Ubuntu sessions. Use Crouton to back up your Ubuntu data.
Remove Linux From Your Chromebook
To remove Linux from your Chromebook, follow this procedure:
