Snap is another popular Linux packaging system, similar to Flatpak, that allows you to install apps in a self-contained and sandboxed format. Many well-known Linux apps, including Spotify, Slack, VS Code, GIMP, and Shotcut, are available as Snap packages.
On a Chromebook, Snap is not supported natively by ChromeOS. However, once you enable the Linux Development Environment, you can install Snap (Snapd) and use the Snap Store inside the Linux container.
Now, if you are here reading about how to install Snap Store on a Chromebook, we assume you want access to Snap-based Linux apps or need Snap specifically for certain tools. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process step by step.
What Is Snap Store and Why Use It on Chromebook?
Snap is a universal Linux package format developed by Canonical. Snap apps are called snaps, and they:
- Bundle all dependencies with the app
- Run in an isolated sandbox
- Update automatically (in most cases)
- Work across different Linux distributions
Using Snap on a Chromebook allows you to install apps that may not be available through default Linux repositories.
How to Install Snap Store on Chromebook
Before proceeding, keep these points in mind: Snap is not officially optimized for ChromeOS, so performance and compatibility may vary. Snap apps can take slightly longer to launch compared to native apps, and some may not integrate perfectly with the ChromeOS environment.
Additionally, you need to have Linux enabled on your Chromebook to use Snap. That said, Snap still works well for many popular apps.
1. Enable Linux on Your Chromebook
If Linux is already enabled, you can skip this step. If not, you can follow these steps to set up and enable Linux on your Chromebook
1. Open Settings on your Chromebook.
2. Scroll down and click About ChromeOS.
3. Under the Developers section, find Linux development environment.
4. Click Turn on and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Open the Linux Terminal
Once the setup is complete, the Terminal app will appear in your Launcher. Using it, we can install Linux applications on a Chromebook.
1. Click the Launcher or press the Search key on your Chromebook.
2. Look for Terminal and open the Terminal app.
3. Click on the Penguin option to get access to the command line.
All Snap-related commands will be run from here.
3. Install Snapd on Chromebook
Before installing Snap, update your Linux system. In the Terminal, update the package list and wait for the process to finish completely. This helps avoid dependency-related issues. To update your system, run the following command: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y.
Once done, follow the steps below to install the Snap Store:
1. Open the Terminal and install the necessary dependencies for the Snap Store. Run the following command:
sudo apt install libsquashfuse0 squashfuse fuse
2. After that, run the following commands one after another:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd
3. If you encounter an error while installing the Snap Store, you can fix it by running the following commands in order:
sudo su
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd
Note: This will only add Snap Store repository support on your Chromebook. If you want to use the graphical interface (GUI) of the app, you can follow the next steps.
4. Install Snap Store GUI
You can also install the GUI version of the Snap Store on your Chromebook. This allows you to use a graphical interface to browse and install apps, making it easier to install Linux applications without relying on terminal commands.
To do this, open the Linux Terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt-get install gnome-software-plugin-snap
How to Install Linux App Using Snap Store
Now, let’s look at how you can install Linux apps on your Chromebook using the Snap Store. There are two methods: using the GUI and using the Linux Terminal.
1. Using the Snap Store GUI
To install a Linux app using the graphical interface, follow these steps:
1. Click on the App Launcher icon to open the app drawer.
2. Locate the Linux apps folder and click on the store icon to open the Snap Store GUI.
3. Search for the Linux application you want to install.
4. Once you find the application, click the Install button to begin the installation.
2. Using the Terminal
Sometimes the GUI app does not work properly; you can use the Terminal to install Linux apps on your Chromebook. For that, follow the steps mentioned below:
1. Open the Snap Store on your browser and find the Linux apps you want to install.
2. Click on the Install button at the top-right corner to get the installation command. Copy the command.
3. Open the Linux Terminal and paste the command you copied. For example, to install VLC Media Player, run:
sudo snap install vlc
4. Once the installation is complete, you can launch the app by running:
sudo snap run vlc
Where Are Snap Apps Stored?
Snap apps are stored inside the Linux container and use their own dedicated storage space. They do not affect ChromeOS system files, but they do consume storage allocated to the Linux environment. You can manage this storage from the Linux development environment settings on your Chromebook.
With that, we wrap up our detailed guide on how to install the Snap Store on a Chromebook. While Snap is not as tightly integrated into ChromeOS as Flatpak, it still works well for many apps once set up correctly.
If you rely on Snap-only applications or prefer Canonical’s ecosystem, installing Snap on your Chromebook is absolutely possible with Linux enabled. We hope this guide helped you set everything up smoothly and gave you a clear understanding of what to expect when using Snap on ChromeOS.
