Chromebooks have come a long way in recent years, transforming from simple web-browsing devices to versatile tools capable of handling various tasks. One of the most exciting developments for Chromebook users is the ability to install and play Steam games. In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to turn your Chromebook into a gaming powerhouse, allowing you to enjoy your favorite Steam games right on your device.
Enable Borealis to Play Steam Games on Select Chromebooks
Borealis is a revolutionary project that enables select Chromebooks to run Steam games natively. With Borealis, you can install the Steam client directly on your Chromebook and access your entire Steam library. To enable Borealis on your Chromebook, follow these steps:
- Ensure that your Chromebook is running Chrome OS version 100 or later. You can check for updates by clicking on the system tray in the bottom-right corner of the screen and selecting the gear icon. From there, navigate to “About Chrome OS” and click on “Check for updates.”
- Once your Chromebook is up to date, open the Chrome browser and visit the Borealis website (www.borealis.com).
- Download the Borealis installer and run it on your Chromebook.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- After the installation is complete, restart your Chromebook.
- Once your Chromebook has rebooted, you will find the Steam icon in your app launcher. Click on it to launch the Steam client.
With Borealis, you can now enjoy a wide range of Steam games directly on your Chromebook.
Enable Steam Play to Play PC Games on Chromebook
If your Chromebook is not compatible with Borealis, you can still play PC games on your device using Steam Play. Steam Play utilizes the power of cloud gaming to stream PC games to your Chromebook. To enable Steam Play on your Chromebook, follow these steps:
- Open the Chrome browser and visit the Steam website (www.steam.com).
- Download and install the Steam client on your Chromebook.
- Launch the Steam client and sign in to your Steam account or create a new one if you don’t have an account yet.
- Once you are signed in, click on the “Settings” button in the top-left corner of the Steam client.
- In the settings menu, click on “Remote Play” and enable the “Enable Remote Play” option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
With Steam Play enabled, you can now stream PC games from your Steam library directly to your Chromebook. Simply select a game from your library and click on the “Play” button to start streaming.
Run Steam Games on Any Chromebook in 2022 (Linux Required)
If you have a Chromebook that does not support Borealis or Steam Play, you can still run Steam games on your device by installing Linux. Here’s how:
- Open the Chrome browser and visit the Linux website (www.linux.com).
- Download and install the Linux distribution of your choice. Ubuntu is a popular choice for Chromebook users.
- Once Linux is installed, open the Linux terminal and enter the following command to install the Steam client:
sudo apt install steam
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- After the installation is complete, launch the Steam client from the Linux app launcher.
- Sign in to your Steam account or create a new one if you don’t have an account yet.
- You can now download and install Steam games on your Chromebook and play them using the Linux version of the Steam client.
By installing Linux on your Chromebook, you can unlock the full potential of Steam and enjoy a vast library of games.
Stream Steam Games on Your Chromebook With the Steam Link App (Play Store Support Required)
If you prefer to play Steam games on your Chromebook using your Android device, you can do so by using the Steam Link app. The Steam Link app allows you to stream games from your PC to your Chromebook via your Android device. Here’s how to set it up:
- Open the Google Play Store on your Chromebook and search for the Steam Link app.
- Download and install the Steam Link app on your Chromebook and Android device.
- Launch the Steam Link app on both devices and sign in to your Steam account.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your Chromebook and Android device.
- Once the pairing is complete, you can start streaming Steam games from your PC to your Chromebook using your Android device as a controller.
With the Steam Link app, you can enjoy the flexibility of playing Steam games on your Chromebook using your Android device.
