ChromeOS laptop installation guide

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This build opens in a maximized, resizable landscape window for a Chromebook-sized display. Choose an installation method below.

Downloaded app

Conway's Game Of Life Lab

Version 3.0 for ChromeOS

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Try the Android installer

Install with an Android file manager

Open the APK inside an Android app

  1. Check Android app support. Open Settings → Apps → Manage Google Play preferences. If that option is absent, use the Crostini tab for the Linux app instead.
  2. Install an Android file manager. Open the Google Play Store and install AnExplorer.
  3. Open the downloaded APK. Launch AnExplorer, open Downloads, and select Conways-Game-Of-Life-Lab-3.0-ChromeOS.apk. Open it inside AnExplorer rather than the ChromeOS Files app.
  4. Allow this source if offered. If the Android installer asks, choose Settings and enable Allow from this source for AnExplorer. You may also find it in Manage Android preferences → Apps → Special app access → Install unknown apps; labels vary by Android version.
  5. Install and open. Return to AnExplorer, select the APK again, and choose Install. Open the app from the ChromeOS Launcher when installation finishes.
Install with the Linux Terminal

Sideload on your Chromebook

Install the downloaded APK

  1. Confirm Android app support. Open Settings → Apps → Manage Google Play preferences. If that option is absent, the Chromebook cannot run Android APKs.
  2. Set up Linux. Open Settings → About ChromeOS → Developers. Beside Linux development environment, select Set up and finish the prompts.
  3. Enable ADB debugging. In Settings, open Developers → Linux development environment → Develop Android apps. Turn on Enable ADB debugging, restart, then confirm and sign in.
  4. Make the APK visible to Linux. In the Files app, open Downloads. If Linux cannot read the file, right-click Conways-Game-Of-Life-Lab-3.0-ChromeOS.apk and choose Share with Linux.
  5. Install ADB. Open the Terminal app and run:
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install adb
  6. Connect to ChromeOS Android. Run:
    adb connect arc
    Accept the debugging authorization prompt that appears.
  7. Install or update the app. Run:
    adb install -r "/mnt/chromeos/MyFiles/Downloads/Conways-Game-Of-Life-Lab-3.0-ChromeOS.apk"
    The -r flag replaces an older copy while preserving its app data.
  8. Open it. Find the app in the ChromeOS Launcher. Its window starts maximized in landscape and can be resized or tiled.
Use the Linux version

Install the Linux app through Crostini

A separate Linux app, without Android or ADB

  1. Set up Linux. Open Settings → About ChromeOS → Developers. Beside Linux development environment, select Set up and finish the prompts. Availability may be restricted on work or school devices.
  2. Download the Linux app. Choose the Linux download for your app and your Chromebook's Intel/AMD (x86_64) or ARM64 processor. This uses the Linux package, rather than the APK downloaded above.
  3. Follow the Linux installation guide. Choose the available DEB or AppImage package and follow its linked instructions. Open the installed app from the ChromeOS Launcher or Linux environment.