When you think of gaming, a Chromebook probably isn't the first device that comes to mind. Yet a new generation of gaming Chromebooks is bringing proper gaming to ChromeOS devices with higher specs than you'd typically expect to find. Furthermore, the world's biggest gaming platform, Steam, is also making its way to ChromeOS.

You can now install the Steam on ChromeOS Beta on compatible Chromebooks, where you can install and play your favorite games just as you would on a Windows machine.

If that sounds like your cup of tea, here's how you install the Steam on ChromeOS Beta on your Chromebook.

What Is the Steam on ChromeOS Beta?

Up until now, playing games from your Steam library on your Chromebook was only achievable through a game streaming service like Nvidia GeForce Now or via the Steam Link Android app on compatible Chromebook devices.

But now, Steam has ported its full platform to ChromeOS, allowing you to install your Steam library on a Chromebook and play your favorite games without streaming or using another app. It's a move that should boost the popularity of Chromebooks.

Which Chromebooks Are Compatible With the Steam on ChromeOS Beta?

Not every Chromebook is compatible with the Steam on ChromeOS Beta. There are several specific Chromebook models, like the Acer Chromebook 516GE, which have at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 CPU, along with at least 8GB RAM.

  • Acer Chromebook 514 (CB514-1W)
  • Acer Chromebook 515 (CB515-1W)
  • Acer Chromebook 516 GE
  • Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (CP514-3H, CP514-3HH, CP514-3WH)
  • Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (CP713-3W)
  • Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (CP714-1WN)
  • Acer Chromebook Vero 514
  • ASUS Chromebook CX9 (CX9400)
  • ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5500)
  • ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601)
  • ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition
  • HP Elite c640 14 inch G3 Chromebook
  • HP Elite c645 G2 Chromebook
  • HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook
  • HP Pro c640 G2 Chromebook
  • IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16
  • Lenovo 5i-14 Chromebook
  • Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook 14
  • Lenovo ThinkPad C14

That list will expand as more gaming Chromebooks enter the market.

How to Install the Steam for ChromeOS Beta on Your Chromebook

Presuming you have a compatible Chromebook, here's how you install the Steam for ChromeOS Beta.

steam on chromebook configuration
  1. Your Chromebook must use either the Beta or Dev channel. Head to Settings > About ChromeOS > Additional Details and select Change Channel. Select either the Beta channel (new features before release that have been tested, but there may be occasional bugs) or the Dev channel (very early release features where you are likely to encounter bugs and other issues).
  2. After selecting, your device will restart and update.
  3. Once it restarts, open Chrome and head to chrome://flags, search for #borealis-enabled, and set it to Enabled. Restart your device again.
  4. Once the restart completes, press the ChromeOS search key on your keyboard, search for Steam, and select the top result.
  5. Follow the onscreen installation instructions, and Steam will install automatically.

Please note that switching back from the Beta or Dev channel to the Stable channel will wipe your device, so make sure to back up your device before doing so.

Once the installation completes, you can log into your Steam account and begin installing games. The Steam on ChromeOS Beta page lists the currently compatible games.

Now you can use Steam on your Chromebook, you might think you'll be jumping straight into the latest and greatest. However, as all Chromebooks use integrated graphics rather than a discreet GPU, your gaming experiences are still limited.

Go and Try the Steam on ChromeOS Beta

For the most part, the Steam on ChromeOS Beta works well. There are limitations in the number of games currently available to Chromebooks, but that number will rise with time. And who knows, maybe we'll eventually see Chromebooks with dedicated graphics cards!