While Chrome OS Flex is a version of Chrome OS, it still differs quite a lot from Chrome OS. As its name might suggest, it is a Linux distribution that is aimed at people looking at Chrome OS alternatives. Yet again, you will hold the Ctrl key and press D. Its not listed anywhere; its just the Im a developer, this is okay shortcut. NayuOS like CLoudReady OS. CloudReady is an operating system that is based on Chromium OS, just like Google's official Chrome OS. CloudReady requires at least 2GB of RAM, at least 16GB of storage, and graphics components made during or after 2007. For the unfamiliar, Chrome OS is an operating system from Google that is basically the Chrome web browser atop Linux, running web applications and storing most data in the Google cloud. Be aware that even fully functional non-certified devices might start having significant issues at any time. You can set a custom wallpaper or choose one from Googles excellent collection of pre-installed ones. Some SanDisk drives may not work. Installing Neverware/CloudReady Chrome OS on Surface RT. Google acquired Neverware in 2020, the company that built CloudReady. If your relative only uses their computer for basic email and social media, this is a great way to make their computer more secure. If your company cannot afford to switch to Chromebooks at one go due to the investment size, ChromeOS Flex is a great viable solution as it works on existing hardware. Plus, its a pretty fun and low-risk beginners hardware project. In 2020, Google acquired the company behind CloudReady, an app that allowed installing ChromeOS on non-certified devices. Open your Chrome browser, and install the Chromebook Recovery Utility from the Chrome Web Store. If you don't see that logo, search for how to boot from a USB drive for your computer model and make sure you have the right BIOS settings. How to convert a Windows laptop to a Chromebook | Android Central You also cannot run Windows virtual machines using Parallels Desktop on PCs running ChromeOS Flex. cd; curl -LO https://mrchromebox.tech/firmware-util.sh && sudo bash firmware-util.sh. Building on its acquisition, the big G announced ChromeOS Flex in 2022, a successor to CloudReady that promises to make your old Windows or MacBook usable again. You can manually pull the latest ChromeOS Flex release if you are impatient. CloudReady writes its open-source copy of Chrome OS deep into your Chromebooks storage. All other company and product names are trademarks of the companies with which they are associated. Ken Manheimer - Some devices only successfully install ChromeOS Flex with. Once youve got the Mac you want to install CloudReady on, good to go, youll need a flash drive with at least 8GB of storage on it. The OnePlus Pad offers a sleek look and plenty of power, making it a great debut tablet from the company. To install Chrome OS Flex, you need to install the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension in your Google Chrome browser and follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive. If it worked, youll see either Chrome OS is missing or damaged, or Please insert a recovery USB stick or SD card., When you see this scary message, hold the Ctrl key and press D., Youll get a screen asking if you want to disable OS verification. After running that command, youll get a menu. To install CloudReady, you should download the USB Maker. Connect your flash drive to your selected Mac, then press and hold option as you turn it on. Turn on your device while you repeatedly press the boot key. It is designed primarily for older PCs, laptops, and MacBooks used by businesses and schools that are now too slow to run Windows or macOS properly. See. You can click on the settings panel in the lower-right corner and choose Install CloudReady.. With write-protect disabled, its time to dig deep into your Chromebook. When Google acquired CloudReady developer Neverware, we knew it was a matter of time before consequences were felt by users. Ubuntu Web has the same, familiar Ubuntu base, which provides you with the ability to sync with /e/ Cloud, a privacy-focused alternative to Google's Cloud syncing services. To back up a bit, CloudReady is a Chrome OS-like operating system that you can install on any computer, basically allowing you to turn old devices into de facto Chromebooks. I was able to get Pandora working consistently, but, the web-based functionality was superior. Can you install cloudready in an older android tablet? It has both USB-A and USB-C inputs available should you want to pass on converting a Windows computer but still keep your older peripherals. And since CloudReady runs on Windows and Mac machines, Google might even unveil an official way to easily convert those devices into Chromebooks which, given a proper marketing campaign, could help skyrocket the success of Chrome OS overnight. After CloudReady starts, a Welcome! screen opens. Instead of discarding them, you can install ChromeOS Flex and repurpose them. CloudReady is an open source operating system. 'Chrome OS' on any device: Deploying CloudReady in the enterprise Select the USB drive from the dropdown menu. Check out our guide to changing boot order in BIOS if you are unsure how to accomplish this. Note: ChromeOS Flex does not support most of the newer Mac models.Learn more. This will launch the installer and allow you to replace your existing system with CloudReady. When not working, you will find him mindlessly scrolling through Twitter, watching a movie, or going on long road trips. Try a different USB device as your installer, especially if it's a. Note that the second character after the first dash is a capital oh O, not a zero. The rest of the data on the computer, including any images or videos you have saved, will also be gone. We sell a few tested batteries for older models. How-to install CloudReady 1. Click Install. Now that the company is a part of Google, the future of the Home Edition is clouded. @kpifixit. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up ChromeOS Flex after the reboot. Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Scott Dyksterhuis 2 years ago Edited Hi All Given the fact that is almost impossible to get hold of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet I've started wondering if it would be possible to install Cloudready on the Amazon Fire HD 10 and get a similar device? All of that means that Chrome OS Flex is set to be the go-to way to install Chrome OS on a PC or a Mac. Once the installation is done, the computer will shut down. If you dont want to do that, you can run CloudReady off of the flash drive. Theyre finicky, and sometimes the cheap or free ones will work when the expensive one you actually bought will not. If youre a Mac or Chrome OS user, we recommend that you temporarily switch to a Windows computer to create your CloudReady USB installer. Important: You can't use CloudReady with Google Accounts managed by Family Link, or in Guest Mode before first sign-in. For older Chromebooks, you can also check the devices page on the Chromium Projects to see if the details are there. try resetting the boot device or clearing logic board RAM. Other functionality like SD card slots and keyboard shortcuts might have been tested but are not guaranteed to work properly. Once the USB maker has finished downloading. On a Mac, just hold down the option key when booting up and you'll be given a choice of which device to use to boot your Mac. If you find that your computer won't connect to Wi-Fi, CloudReady probably doesn't have a working driver for your Wi-Fi card. The process is a little more complicated, and Neverware recommends you use Windows instead, but it is possible. With respect to this comment in the posting Congratulations: your Chromebook is no longer special! Instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. CloudReady will not work on PowerPC Macs, so sadly, you cant revive your sunflower iMac G4 or your blueberry iBook. Its a good thing were hacking this firmware, because youd have to do this every time you booted your Chromebook, otherwise. Ive linked write-protect removal instructions for each: Ive rarely been stumped with the location of a write-protect screw after a couple searches. Select the bootable USB installer from the list as the boot device, and boot into the drive . This project is aimed at making Chrome OS (the official releases by google) available for any non-chromebook devices (ATM The device must be able to boot from live USB, this excludes most Android-only devices); The steps can also be followed on a chromebook, to install an image with android and linux support. And Even Better with Play. If you have an old Windows laptop or MacBook that has slowed down over time, you may be able to turn it into a very close approximation of a Chromebook by installing CloudReady. This computer also sports a touchscreen to offer a tablet mode for one more way to get things done. Click your user icon in the lower right corner of the system tray. If you have access to a Windows computer, the first step is to download the CloudReady USB maker from Neverware: Scroll down to Get the Free Version and select it. For a Mac, its the Option key. CloudReady is a Chromium OS-based operating system that lets you turn a regular computer into a Chrome OS device. Learn more about how CloudReady is different from Chrome OS, Learn how to install CloudReady on an uncertified device, With the automatic USB Maker (recommended), Find the most common models and their boot keystroke. Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: Parker Ortolani is a marketing strategist and product designer based in New York. The Mac mini that I used can run Big Sur, but its severely underpowered, being seven years old and not physically upgradeable. The Brunch project, while more complicated to install and set up, may yield better results installing a generic Chrome OS on Intel or AMD-based Chromebooks. Click or tap the gear icon > Use local image. Additional hardware features, such as CD/DVD drives, fingerprint readers, FireWire ports, Infrared (IR) and face recognition cameras, proprietary connectors and docks, stylus and active pen input, and Thunderbolt. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Wi-Fi and data consent. [GUIDE][PROJECT CROISSANT] Installing official Chrome OS on any device Read below to find out. CloudReady will continue to be supported as usual for the foreseeable future, with the goal of becoming an "official Chrome OS offering" in the long term. When youve got CloudReady installed, your device will keep getting security and feature updates, just a little behind the official Chromebook channels. End of support for VirtualBox and Flatpak. It's ready to use in this state, and you can immediately start browsing the internet with Chrome, access your Google Drive files, and anything else you would normally do with a Chromebook. Hit Enter, and then choose whatever looks like your USB key in the list of devices that comes up. Chromebooks are a great alternative to traditional laptops and PCs. You can't just download Chrome OS and install it on any laptop like you can Windows and Linux. To install and use, create a CloudReady installation file on a USB drive. Going all in with CloudReady ChromeOS Home Edition Tip: Find the most. Important: Full installation is optional. Click Install CloudReady > INSTALL CLOUDREADY. Heres how to get CloudReady up and running on an old Mac. Article by: For a PC, the boot key is usually F1, F2, F9, F12, Delete, or Esc. Update your BIOS to the latest version provided by your device manufacturer, if possible. How to Install Chrome OS on Any PC and Turn It Into a Chromebook See. If adding a Wi-Fi network, click on your network, or enter the SSID and click Connect. Also works on my Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Android 13 For Raspberry Pi 4 Is GOOD! If none of the above steps helped, add your query with details about your model and the problem youre experiencing to the ChromeOS Flex Help Community. Just last year, Google acquired Neverware, the company behind CloudReady. But it is definitely possible. 0. Even in the case of Google Music aka YT Music, the Chrome PWA version and the web version don't support casting from the app. How-to: Bring an old Mac back to life by installing Chrome OS - 9to5Mac Most USB ports should work, but a few Chromebooks will not let you boot from a blue (USB 3.0) port. If you don't have one, chances are you've come across one at least once, whether it was in your work environment, your classroom, or from a friend. 7.5 / 10. Depending on the age and specs of your PC or laptop, the process can take a. Battery #C12N1432. Once the installation process has finished, you can turn the computer off and remove the USB stick. We recommend that you have an up-to-date backup of your data before you install CloudReady. You will need an 8 or 16GB USB stick for this step. Each of these Macs had 4GB of RAM and much older Intel processors. Google is targeting businesses and schools with this version since its built for easy mass deployment and management. CloudReady to lose support for VirtualBox and Flatpak in wake of Google Lets say you want to install Slack as an app. Devices not on the certified models list are not eligible for Chrome Education or Chrome Enterprise support. How to install Chrome OS with Android \u0026 Google Play store. Minimum device requirements follow: Architecture: Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device RAM: 4 GB Internal storage: 16 GB Bootable from USB drive BIOS: Full administrator access. I built my CloudReady flash drive with a Windows 11 PC, for example. You cannot install Android apps on CloudReady like you can on an official Chrome OS computer. The application is only around 48MB and will help you turn your flash drive into a CloudReady installer. Also, starting with the 2018 Pixelbook, Chromebooks offer a closed case means of disabling writing protection, eliminating the need to open the device and physically disable write protection. All such devices come with a Google security chip and provide a verified boot to prevent tampering with system files. When you start using the laptop, you'll notice it looks an awful lot like a standard Chromebook. Try each different USB port on the device, including USB-3, USB-2, and USB-C. Download the CloudReady USB installer application to a Mac or PC. Step 5: Install CloudReady. If you aren't connected to ethernet, plug in an ethernet cable, or click Add other Wi-Fi network. New Google Photos video editor rolls out to all Chromebooks and ChromeOS users, Best Android apps for your Chromebook 2023, Amazon earnings highlight a fairly positive quarter for Big Tech despite big cuts. Heres how it works. CloudReady receives regular, automatic updates from Neverware once it has been installed. Eventually, you will land on the same setup screen you saw when you first set up your Chromebook.