How do I get a refund for a game on Steam?

To get a refund on Steam , you must request it within 14 days of the purchase, and you must have played the game for less than two hours. Log in to Steam and select the Support tab, choose the title you want to refund, and select I would like a refund .

How do I redeem Steam codes?

In the Steam app, go to Games > Activate a Product on Steam , and then enter the code to activate it. On the web, use Steam's activation page .

How do I download the Epic Games Launcher on Chromebook?

To play Epic Games titles on Chromebook (like Fortnite and Minecraft), enable developer mode, Android apps, and apps from unknown sources. Download the Epic Games launcher on an Android, then transfer the launcher to your Chromebook and install it. Alternatively, install Chrome Remote Desktop on a Mac/PC to play remotely.

Gaming > Gaming Services

How to Get Steam on a Chromebook

Enable the Beta channel to try Steam in beta or install Steam as a Linux app

By

Jeremy Laukkonen

Updated on May 16, 2023

Reviewed by

Jessica Kormos

What to Know

Enable the Beta channel, navigate to chrome://flags, set #borealis-enabled to Enabled, then search for Steam.
If your Chromebook supports Linux apps, select system tray > Settings. Next to Linux, select Turn on > Install.
If your Chromebook doesn't support Linux apps, install Linux, then install Steam through a desktop environment.

This article explains how to get Steam on a Chromebook. Methods include using the beta version of Steam for Chrome OS or installing Steam as a regular Linux app.

How to Run Steam on Chromebook in Beta

On some Chromebooks, you can actually install a beta version of Steam, but you must first enable beta features. Google has a list of Chromebooks that support Steam in beta.

In the bottom-right on the taskbar, select the Time, then select the Settings gear.
In the left sidebar, select About ChromeOS, then select Additional details.
Select Change channel.
Select Beta, then select Change channel. Restart your Chromebook when prompted.
After restarting, open the Chrome browser, go to chrome://flags and set #borealis-enabled to Enabled. Restart your computer again.
When your Chromebook restarts, open the Launcher and search for Steam. Download the app and follow the instructions to log in and start gaming.

If your search for Steam returns nothing, press CTRL+ALT+T and enter insert_coin in the terminal.

Use Steam on a Chromebook by Installing Steam as a Linux App

The alternative way to use Steam on a Chromebook is to install Steam as a regular Linux app. This is a somewhat complex process that requires you to enable Linux apps on your Chromebook, then install Steam using terminal commands. This option is only available if your Chromebook supports regular Linux apps, which not all Chromebooks do.

To determine if your Chromebook supports Linux apps, check the XDA Developers' list of supported Chromebooks and your system settings. If the Linux apps option isn't available, try switching to the Chrome OS beta or developer channel.

Enable Linux Apps on a Chromebook

If your Chromebook is capable of running regular Linux apps, you'll have to enable the feature before you can install Steam. This is an easy process that involves selecting a toggle in your Chrome OS settings.

On a Chromebook, select the system tray in the lower right corner of the desktop, then select the gear icon to open the settings menu.
Scroll down to locate the Linux (Beta) section, then select Turn on.
Select Install.
Wait for the installation process to finish. When it is complete, you will be greeted with a terminal window. This window is how you will install and launch Linux apps through Chrome OS.

How to Install the Linux Steam App on Chrome OS

Once you have successfully set up your Chromebook to run regular Linux apps in Chrome OS, you are ready to install Steam.

This process is rather complicated if you've never used Linux before, but it is not difficult. As an overview, you will need to open the Linux terminal on your Chromebook, then enter a series of commands and wait for each to finish executing before entering the next one.

To make things easier you can copy and paste each command from these instructions. To do so, copy the command text, then press SHIFT+CTRL+V inside the terminal window to paste the copied text. Finally, press ENTER to execute the command.

Here's how to install Steam on a Chromebook as a regular Linux app:

Press SHIFT+CTRL+T to open the Linux terminal window.
Enter the following command into the terminal window. You can copy and paste it, or type it out, then press enter to execute.
```
echo 'deb http://httpredir.debian.org/debian/ jessie main contrib non-free' | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
```
Enter the following command into the terminal window:
```
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
```
Enter the following command into the terminal window:
```
sudo apt update
```
Enter the following command into the terminal window:
```
sudo apt install steam
```
Press Y to confirm the installation.

During this step, the installer will show you how much storage space Steam will take up. If your Chromebook doesn't have enough storage, you will not be able to install Steam.
Agree to the Steam license agreement to finalize the installation procedure.
Wait for Steam to update itself.
Select LOGIN TO AN EXISTING ACCOUNT to log in to your Steam account. You can now use Steam on your Chromebook.

How to Install Steam on a Chromebook That Does Not Support It

The other option works on all Chromebooks but is even more complicated. This option requires you to install Linux on your Chromebook, then install Steam through a Linux desktop environment like Ubuntu.

Prior to the introduction of regular Linux apps, smart users found a workaround that allowed every Chromebook to run Linux alongside Chrome OS. This is a more complicated option than simply installing a Linux app through Chrome OS, but it's the only option for most Chromebooks.

This is a good option if you want to have a real Linux desktop environment on your Chromebook.

A screenshot of Steam running on Chrome OS.

Use Crouton to Run Ubuntu Linux on Your Chromebook

If you want to use this method, you need to start by using Crouton to install Ubuntu, or another version of Linux, alongside Chrome OS on your Chromebook.

This method doesn't replace Chrome OS, so you can continue to use your Chromebook just like you always have. However, it does require you to enable developer mode.

Switch From Chrome OS to the Ubuntu Desktop

Once you have Ubuntu running on your Chromebook, you can switch between Chrome OS and Ubuntu whenever you want with a simple key combination.

Intel and AMD Chromebooks: To switch back and forth, press CTRL+ALT+BACK and CTRL+ALT+FORWARD, then press CTRL+ALT+REFRESH to refresh the new desktop.
ARM Chromebooks: To switch back and forth, press CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+BACK and CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+FORWARD.

Navigate to the official Steam site and select Install Steam. When Ubuntu Software opens, select Install and the app will automatically install.

Using this method, you will have to switch to Ubuntu every time you want to use Steam. You cannot access it directly from the Chrome OS interface.

Should You Install Steam on a Chromebook?

Most Chromebooks are not powerful enough to run brand new AAA games. But a lot of older games and many new indie games are capable of running on the pared-down hardware found in most Chromebooks. Alternatively, you can play CPU-intensive games by streaming them from a desktop PC to a Chromebook installed with Steam.

FAQ

How do I get a refund for a game on Steam?

To get a refund on Steam, you must request it within 14 days of the purchase, and you must have played the game for less than two hours. Log in to Steam and select the Support tab, choose the title you want to refund, and select I would like a refund.
How do I redeem Steam codes?

In the Steam app, go to Games > Activate a Product on Steam, and then enter the code to activate it. On the web, use Steam's activation page.
How do I download the Epic Games Launcher on Chromebook?

To play Epic Games titles on Chromebook (like Fortnite and Minecraft), enable developer mode, Android apps, and apps from unknown sources. Download the Epic Games launcher on an Android, then transfer the launcher to your Chromebook and install it. Alternatively, install Chrome Remote Desktop on a Mac/PC to play remotely.

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