Chromebooks support Android apps through the Google Play Store, which makes ChromeOS far more versatile than it used to be. From streaming apps and games to productivity tools, Android apps run seamlessly alongside Chrome and web apps. However, there are times when you need to know which Android version your Chromebook is running.
For example, some Android apps require a minimum Android version to install or work properly. In other cases, you may be troubleshooting app crashes, compatibility issues, or checking whether your Chromebook supports newer Android features.
In this detailed guide, we will walk you through all the working ways to check the Android version on ChromeOS, step by step.
How Android Works on Chromebook
Before we get into the steps, it’s important to understand one thing. Chromebooks do not run Android like a phone or tablet. Instead, ChromeOS runs Android apps inside a special container called Android Runtime for Chrome (ARC).
This means:
- Your Chromebook has a specific Android version tied to ChromeOS
- You cannot manually upgrade Android independently
- Android version updates come with ChromeOS updates
How to Check Android Version on Chromebook
To check the Android version on your Chromebook, make sure the Google Play Store is enabled. If the Play Store is disabled or not available, your Chromebook does not support Android apps.
1. Using Settings
This is the easiest and most reliable way to check the Android version.
Steps to c heck Android version from Settings:
1. Click the Quick Settings Panel in the lower right corner of your screen.
2. Click on the gear icon to open the Settings application.
3. You’ll see the settings window. Click on the App tab located on the left side of your screen.
4. Select Manage Google Play Preferences from the menu on the right side of your screen.
5. Click the Android Settings option.
6. It will open the Android portion of your Chromebook. Here we’ll find different settings options. But we are just going to check the Android version. For that, click on the System option.
7. Click on About Device from this menu to view information about Android.
8. There you have the Android version of your Chromebook! You can also click on it to see the Android security patch level and kernel version.
2. Check Android Version Using CPU-Z
Some Android apps can display system information. One popular app for checking device details is CPU-Z, which we’ll use to find the Android version.
1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for CPU-Z and install it.
3. Once installed, open the app and go to the System tab, where you’ll find the Android version.
While this method works, it may not always be 100% accurate on Chromebooks due to containerization. The Settings method is generally more reliable.
Can You Update Android Version on Chromebook?
You cannot update the Android version manually like on a phone. Android updates on Chromebook arrive through ChromeOS updates.
To check for updates:
1. Open Settings.
2. Go to About ChromeOS.
3. Click Check for updates, and if an update is available, install it to upgrade the Android version.
If a newer Android version is available for your Chromebook, it will be included with the ChromeOS update.
Wrapping Up
With that, we wrap up our detailed guide on how to check the Android version on a Chromebook. While ChromeOS keeps things simple on the surface, it still gives you access to Android system details once you know where to look.
By checking the Android version through Settings or Android preferences, you can quickly confirm compatibility, troubleshoot app issues, and better understand how Android apps run on your Chromebook.
