Steam on Chromebook Made Easier With Beta Version

The most popular online gaming platform now has a beta version for Chromebooks. Steam says it reduced major issues for these Google laptops.

In contrast, the earlier Alpha version required using the unstable Dev channel. Thanks to Chrome OS 108, accessing Steam on Chromebook is much easier.

Google said it enabled a “wider variety of Chromebooks” to run “hundreds of Steam games.” However, it admitted that others would not run smoothly.

Supported Chromebook models

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Google recommended that gamers use Chromebooks with 16GB of RAM. Also, their laptops should have an AMD Ryzen 5, Intel Core i5 CPU, or a better processor.

The company shared a list of supported Chromebook models. Look for your device to see if you can run Steam on Chromebook:

Acer: 

• 514 (CB514-1W)
• 515 (CB515-1W)
• 516 GE
• Spin 514 (CP514-3H, CP514-3HH, CP514-3WH)
• Vero 514
• Spin 713 (CP713-3W)
• Spin 714 (CP714-1WN)

ASUS: 

• CX9 (CX9400)
• Flip CX5 (CX5500)
• Flip CX5 (CX5601)
• Vibe CX55 Flip

HP: 

• Elite c640 14-inch G3 Chromebook
• Elite c645 G2 Chromebook
• Pro c640 G2 Chromebook
• Elite Dragonfly Chromebook

Lenovo: 

• IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16
• 5i-14 Chromebook
• Flex 5i Chromebook 14
• ThinkPad C14

Framework: 

• Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

How to run Steam on Chromebook

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Note that you need technical know-how to access your Steam library on your Google laptop. You will need to switch to an experimental channel that will delete Chromebook data.

Those include owner permissions, downloaded photos, files, and saved networks for all accounts. Still, you must use the Beta channel to open Steam on Chromebooks.

Start by logging into your Chromebook via the owner account. Next, click on the time display and then the Settings icon.

Click the About ChromeOS and then the Additional details option. Afterward, choose the Change channel option.

Select the Beta channel option and click the Change channel and Powerwash button. Then, click on the button named Relaunch and Powerwash.

As mentioned above, this action will delete all data from your Chromebook. Also, you must sign in again with your Google Account.

Navigate to chrome://flags via Google Chrome. and then toggle the #boreallis-enabled to Enabled.

That will restart the laptop. Then, open the ChromeOS launcher, look for Steam, then click on the top result. 

Follow the setup process to install Steam. Finally, log in with your Steam account and start playing. 

If you cannot open Steam in the launcher, open the Crosh terminal by pressing the Ctrl, Alt, and the “T” buttons on your keyboard. Then, input “insert_coin.”

Conclusion

You may head to the Chromium page to learn more about running Steam on Chromebook. Be careful when using the feature, as you must wipe all data from your laptop.

Fortunately, you have several alternatives that are much easier to use. For example, you could get a separate gaming laptop for your Steam library.

You may also get a Nintendo Switch for a portable gaming device. Also, you can get the latest news and updates from Inquirer Tech anytime and anywhere.