How to enable ChromeOS developer mode on your Chromebook

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Even the best Chromebooks are often considered less powerful and more limited than a Windows laptop, but ChromeOS's developer mode lets you get a little more out of your computer.




Developer mode allows you to install various Linux distributions for development and sideload Android apps, bypassing all Play Store restrictions. It's easy to see why you'd want to do this, and we're here to help you do it.

How to enable developer mode in ChromeOS

The first thing you need to know is that when you enable Developer Mode, your login credentials and all locally stored data will be erased. This will also be true when you return to normal operating mode. So before you do anything, Back up any data you want to keepIf you use ChromeOS all the time, you can easily back everything up to your favorite cloud storage service.

Enabling or disabling Developer Mode on your Chromebook will erase all login credentials and locally stored data. Remember to back up any important data before proceeding.


Once you've done that, here's how to get into developer mode. Turn off your Chromebook before you proceed.

  1. Turn on your Chromebook.
  2. Press and hold Esc + Refresh on your keyboard, and then press the Power button while you are on the login screen or the home screen).
    A photo showing the ChromeOS Chromebook recovery screen

  3. Press Ctrl + D on your keyboard. You will see a warning message: You are trying to enable developer mode.
  4. Use the arrow keys to select Confirm to confirm that you are entering developer mode and press Input.
    A photo showing the process of entering developer mode in ChromeOS

  5. Press Ctrl + D again. Wait until your device restarts. At this point, a You are in recovery mode Screen.
  6. Press Ctrl + D to discard the message.


Now you're all set to use Developer Mode on your Chromebook. This new feature lets you install various Linux distributions, sideload as many Android APKs as you want, and experience many new adventures with your Chromebook. It also lets you access the Developer Shell if you actually want to do Chrome-based development.

Disadvantages and risks of developer mode

As with all tinkering and modifications, there are some drawbacks and potential risks to enabling developer mode in ChromeOS. Here are some potential problems if you leave developer mode enabled permanently:

  • Security issues: ChromeOS is a pretty secure operating system with its sandbox structure. However, all of that goes out the window when you run developer mode. You won't have access to all the protection that comes with owning a Chromebook. That's not a big deal if you're a power user and know what you're doing, but for the average user, it can be risky.
  • Warranty issues: Since developer mode is not officially recognized or supported by most OEMs or Google, enabling developer mode can void your Chromebook's warranty. This isn't usually the case with more powerful Chromebooks (which OEMs know developers will use in real-world use), but can happen with lower-end models.
  • Loss of your data: You'll need to completely wipe your data every time you enable (or disable) a developer mode in ChromeOS. As you can imagine, this can be inconvenient if you just want to get in and out of developer mode to try things out.
  • Warning screen: When you use developer mode, you'll always see a warning screen when booting your device. This slows down the quite impressive boot speed of most ChromeOS devices, which is a huge advantage for some people anyway.


How to disable developer mode

Now what if you have enabled developer mode and are not happy with it? The good news is that disabling developer mode is just as easy. The bad news is that you will have to wipe your data again. Make sure you back up your data againThen follow these steps:

  1. Turn on your Chromebook or restart it if it is already turned on.
  2. Press the Arrow up to choose Back to safe mode on the screen You are in developer mode.
  3. Press Input. This will perform a factory reset and wipe the laptop.
  4. Go through the Chromebook setup process again.

If you decide to try out Developer Mode, make sure you are aware of the security risks involved and back up all your personal data. Developer Mode can add a number of exciting extra features to your Chromebook or Chromebox – but use it with caution.


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