How to Use Chrome OS on a Raspberry Pi

A step-by-step guide to install and use Chrome OS on a Raspberry Pi.

By Saptargha Das 9 Min Read
Use Chrome OS on a Raspberry Pi

When the Raspberry Pi computers came onto the market, people didn’t know what they could do. Many believed it was just a simple working unit for general education purposes – typically in schools for presentations. However, with time, that line of thinking has changed, and people started to realize their true potential. You can use it as a simple desktop computer, make use of your old printer, and even control your robots.

On the other hand, we have Chrome OS. Now, Google has a project named Chromium, which gave birth to some popular programs. Google Chrome Browser is one of the best examples. To those who don’t know about the Google Chromebook, the operating system is running on Chrome. Now, you may wonder, how can you use Chrome OS on your Raspberry Pi system, when you know different companies develop both products. So, in this article, you will learn how to use Google Chrome OS on the Raspberry Pi. Also, we will first make an argument as to why you even consider using Chrome OS in your Raspberry Pi system in the first place.

Why Install Chrome OS on the Raspberry Pi?

ChromeOS Interface

Apart from a Linux Distribution, you can try several other OS in your Raspberry Pi system depending on what you need. Chrome, on the other hand, is perfect for cloud computing. So, if you are tight on the overall budget, installing Chrome OS on a Raspberry system is ideal for you. Chrome OS is a very smart-built operating system that runs on a relatively low configuration. Therefore, it can be the perfect fit for you.

Another reason to consider Chrome OS is the fact the OS is open-source. So, you can grab it from the internet for free and install it without paying anything. We have tested the working status on a Raspberry Pi, and the results are splendid. There is a catch here though; FydeOS, which is a version of Chrome, may not be available easily. In that case, build the OS from its core source – Chromium OS.

There are two more significant reasons you should install Chrome OS on your Raspberry Pi system. First, there are plenty of apps and software available that will run on the system. Whether you do simple desktop computing or server-side computing, Chrome has all the solutions you need. Second, the OS has a visually stunning user interface, which is also user-friendly.

Things Need to Install Chrome OS on a Raspberry Pi

After we figure out the dilemma of why install Chrome OS on the Rasberry Pi, we should now focus on the how. The first step is to assemble all the parts required to install Chrome OS on your Raspberry Pi system.

So, here is the list of components that are needed first:

  • Need a Raspberry Pi system of version 3 or 3B+.
  • You will need a minimum of 8GB microSD card
  • A program named 7-Zip. The program is available on 7-zip.org for free
  • The Etcher from balena.io/etcher for creating a bootable device.
  • You will need Github images for FydeOS Chromium from here
  • Finally, you will also need a desktop PC

Along with a mouse, keyboard, HDMI cable, and spare display, you’ll be ready to get started with the Chrome OS installation process.

How to Install Chrome OS on a Raspberry Pi

Unlike other operating systems, Chrome OS is easy to install, and it won’t take much time to configure either. If we cut down the technical mumbo-jumbo, there are three things that you need to do.

  1. Prepare the Bootable Device
  2. The Booting Procedure
  3. Installing Apps and Programs

If you prefer a video tutorial, you can watch the video mentioned below:

1. Prepare the Bootable Device

The first step is to prepare the bootable device. For that, we will use the MicroSD card and Etcher, a tool that will help you create a bootable drive seamlessly. To do that, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Download the image file for the GitHub repository.

Assest Download Link

2. Open Etcher to flash the image file. If Etcher is not installed on your PC, you can refer to our guide on; how to download and install Etcher on Windows 11.

Etcher interface

3. Now, select the Chromium OS image file and the SD card where you want to flash it.

4. Then, click on the Flash button and wait for the process to complete.

Flash the Chromiumos Image File

2. The Booting Procedure

Once you have prepared the bootable drive, remove it from your PC and connect it to your Raspberry Pi to install Chrome OS. Now, boot up the Raspberry Pi to configure Chrome OS. It’s similar to setting up an Android phone using your Google account.

Here are the steps you can follow to set up your Chrome OS:

1. On the boot screen, you will see the Welcome to your Chromebox screen.

2. Here, click on the Get Started button to begin the configuration process.

Chromebook Setup Screen

3. After that, you need to connect to a network. For that, select the network name, enter the network password, and then connect to the network.

Connecting to a Network

4. Now, read the Google Terms of Service and click on the Accept and Continue button to proceed with using Chrome OS on Raspberry Pi.

Accepting Google Terms of Service

5. On the next screen, you need to Sign in with your Google account to use Chrome OS. Here, enter your Google account credentials.

Sign in to your Chromebook

6. After that, wait for the process to complete. Then, you will be ready to use Chrome OS on your Raspberry Pi. That’s it! This is how you can install Chrome OS on Raspberry Pi.

Chrome OS Welcome Screen

3. Installing Apps and Programs

One of the best features of Chrome OS is that most of the useful applications come pre-installed with the OS. However, if you need something new, you can head over to the Google Chrome Web Store or Google Play Store to install additional apps and programs.

Please note that we have provided screenshots of the entire installation procedure while discussing the components for installing Chrome OS. Take a look at them to complete the process promptly. Additionally, you will need a desktop PC to prepare the bootable device. On the PC, you need to install the Etcher Tool to set up the IMG file on the MicroSD card.

Conclusion

It is a great way to build a working computer on a low budget using the Raspberry Pi. Yes, it has its flaws, but the advantages are also impactful. Therefore, you should give Chrome OS a try on your Raspberry Pi!

We hope you find this article helpful. If you liked the article, consider sharing it. Moreover, if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to write them in the comment section below. We will surely reply to you.

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He is an engineer and a gadget freak who likes to pen down his technical knowledge, helping everyone understand the minute details of each technology and its implementations.
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