• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Chrome Unboxed - The Latest Chrome OS News

A Space for All Things Chrome, Google, and More!

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Unboxing
  • Chromebooks
  • Upcoming
  • Deals
  • Tips
  • Podcast
  • Home
  • Gaming
  • SEARCH
You are here: Home / Apps / Well, well, well. Look who just got Linux apps in Beta
Well, well, well. Look who just got Linux apps in Beta

Well, well, well. Look who just got Linux apps in Beta

June 9, 2020 By Gabriel Brangers Leave a Comment

For months, Chromium developers have been working the the ‘kernelnext’ project that intends to bring Linux app support to older devices. Despite the number of Chromebooks that have been added to the list, one particular family of devices is still missing out on the Crostini train. Intel’s Skylake CPUs were at the core of a massive evolution for the Chrome OS landscape and the small handful of Skylake devices that were made are still popular among a lot of users. I’m speaking specifically about the ASUS Chromebook C302 and Samsung Chromebook Pro convertibles that ushered in the era of premium 2-in-1 Chrome OS devices.

Sadly, the Skylake platform has struggled to gain access to project Crostini for reasons beyond my grasp. It probably has something to do with Intel’s Virtualization technology but that’s neither here nor there. Needless to say, a lot of Samsung and ASUS owners were put out when Crostini launched and they found out that their devices didn’t make the cut. Signs of hope sprung up here and there as the experimental VM flag that popped up in the Canary channel allowed some Chromebook Pro users to enable Linux. Unfortunately, an update removed the ‘kernelnext’ build for good ole’ Caroline (Samsung Pro) and Linux apps disappeared.

Well, today Samsung Chromebook Pro users have a reason for celebration. the Beta Channel of Chrome OS was recently promoted to version 84 (more specifically 84.0.4147.33) and it appears that Linux app support is persistently available. To enable Linux apps, you will be required to enable the experimental VM flag. You can find that by heading to chrome://flags/#enable-experimental-kernel-vm-support but first, you will need to move to the Beta Channel. Remember, moving to Beta will not delete any of your local data but moving back to Stable will. If you do this, make sure you save your files on Google Drive or external storage.

To switch to Beta, head to your Chrome OS settings menu via the system tray at the bottom right of your display. Click the gear icon and select “About Chrome OS” at the bottom left of the menu. Next, click “additional details” and then click the “change channel” button. Select Beta and wait for your device to update. Once it is finished, restart to apply the update then head to chrome://flags/#enable-experimental-kernel-vm-support in your browser and enable the experimental VM flag. Restart your browser and head back to the Chrome OS settings menu. If all went as planned, you should see Linux(Beta) right below the Apps section of the menu. You can check for ‘kernelnext’ buy heading back to About Chrome OS and clicking on Additional Details>build details. If the update worked, you will see ‘caroline-kernelnext’ on the Platform line of the build details.

We have tested this on the Samsung Chromebook Pro but unfortunately, I don’t have and ASUS C302 around to check for Crostini. If you do and you’re willing to try it out, drop a comment below and let us know if it is working. Linux applications will be a welcome addition to Skylake device that still have plenty to offer in the form of power and a few years left before they stop receiving updates. This has been a long time coming but I have high hopes that we’ll see this in the Stable Channel in the near future.

Get Alerted About New Posts On
Your Schedule
Sign Up For The Official Chrome Unboxed Newsletter
Latest Posts
  • Join me on the Stadia Source Podcast and enter to win a Stadia Premiere Bundle
  • Google Sheets adds quick cell and range navigation with new ‘name box’ feature
  • Get this refurbished Acer Chromebook Spin 713 with a 2-year warranty for $448
  • Smart Deal: $210 off the JBL Link View Google Assistant Smart Display

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Apps, Chrome OS, Chromebooks, News

About Gabriel Brangers

Lover of all things coffee. Foodie for life. Passionate drummer, hobby guitar player, Web designer and proud Army Veteran. I have come to drink coffee and tell the world of all things Chrome. "Whatever you do, Carpe the heck out of that Diem" - Roman poet, Horace. Slightly paraphrased.

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL | ABOUT

Copyright © 2021 · Chrome Unboxed · Chrome is a registered trademark of Google Inc.
We are participants in various affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites.

GET EMAIL UPDATES

Privacy Policy

  • Reviews
  • Editorial
  • About