20+ Must-Have Android Apps For Your Chromebook
While Chromebooks offer a range of Chrome apps and extensions, they still lack certain essential features such as a full-fledged file manager, text editor, and media player. However, if you purchased your Chromebook after 2017, you're in luck because it supports the Google Play Store. Find your Chromebook model and go through this article to explore some of the best Android apps that you must have on your Chromebook.
AutoStart
AutoStart might not have the best user interface, but it performs an essential task. This app allows you to automatically start your preferred apps after your Chromebook boots up. While Chromebooks let you start websites on startup, launching apps is not possible without this app.
Download AutoStart
Xodo Docs
Although you can read or search PDFs in Chrome, it lacks the ability to markup or edit those PDFs. Xodo Docs is a dedicated PDF reader that lets you edit, markup, and sign PDFs. Additionally, it offers an inbuilt PDF converter to convert webpages, images, and documents to PDF.
Download Xodo Docs
iA Writer
If you're looking for an offline text editor, iA Writer is a great choice. With a blank white canvas and a typewriter font, it provides a distraction-free writing experience. Although it supports Google Drive and Dropbox, cloud support is not its primary focus.
Download iA Writer
Microsoft One Note
Keep Notes is a handy utility that works across platforms, but it doesn't function online. Microsoft One Note is an offline alternative that can sync data across platforms and supports handwritten notes if you use a stylus.
Download Microsoft One Note
Clipper
Clipper is an ideal clipboard manager for ChromeOS. While it supports links and text formatting, it lacks image compatibility. Clipper stays on top of the notification drawer, allowing you to access your last copied text easily.
Download Clipper
Texpand
Texpand is a text-expansion app that comes in handy when you frequently use repetitive text. Although it works slightly differently on Chromebook, it allows you to expand sentences by tapping once on the green tick pop-up. Restarting the app can fix any random crashes.
Download Texpand
Solid Explorer
While the native Files app on ChromeOS is a cross-platform tool, it may not be sufficient for a full-fledged laptop. Solid Explorer is an alternative file manager optimized for larger screens. With a default 2-pane view, it enables easy drag-and-drop file transfers. You can also connect it to cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
Download Solid Explorer
VLC Media Player
The native Files app includes a media player, but it lacks features like background playback and picture-in-picture mode. VLC Media Player is a versatile app that supports all kinds of media formats and is perfect for playing footage from external hard drives. It can also be used for offline music playback.
Download VLC Media Player
Netflix/YouTube
While the web apps of Netflix and YouTube allow you to stream content, they don't support offline downloading. By using the Android apps, you can download and watch content offline, even in areas with poor network connectivity.
ProtonVPN
If you're using the Netflix and YouTube Android apps, the VPNs available on the Chrome browser won't work with them. ProtonVPN is a good option as it provides unlimited browsing, although it does limit your internet speed.
Download ProtonVPN
Pixlr
Although Chromebooks aren't designed for photo editing, there are times when you need to apply filters. Pixlr is a handy photo editor that allows you to snap filters, patch and heal photos, and create collages. For simpler use cases, you can try the Polarr Photo Editor.
Download Pixlr
Adobe Illustrator
For those who enjoy sketching or drawing, Chromebooks with touch screens can serve as a good canvas. Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop Sketch are free apps that offer a wide range of brush sizes. While they require optional Adobe cloud subscriptions, they provide a great drawing experience on Chromebooks. You can also look for some of the best Whiteboard apps for Android where you can brainstorm ideas, teach other people or simply draw.
Download Adobe Illustrator
Quik
If you need to create videos for special occasions, Quik from GoPro is an excellent video editing tool. It comes with preloaded video themes that automatically set up your videos, saving you time and effort.
Download Quik
Tachiyomi
For avid readers, Tachiyomi is a renowned manga reader app that can also read local PDF, EPUB, ZIP, and 7z files. Alternatively, you can try the ReadEra app, which allows you to read local textbooks, magazines, and Microsoft documents.
Download Tachiyomi
AnkiDroid
Flashcards are a great way to learn trivia and foreign languages. AnkiDroid is an app that helps you memorize information by allowing you to create flashcards. Whether you want to improve your vocabulary or memorize important concepts, this app can be a valuable learning tool.
Download AnkiDroid
Spotify
If you're a Spotify user, you might miss your playlists on Chromebook. The Android app allows you to download your favorite music for offline listening, making it a must-have for music lovers. Additionally, Spotify also streams podcasts, eliminating the need for a separate podcast app.
Download Spotify
PocketCasts
For avid podcast listeners, PocketCasts is an ideal choice. With a vast library of content, this app recently adopted the freemium model, allowing you to access most features for free while some content remains behind a paywall.
Download PocketCasts
Termux
Unlike Windows and macOS, ChromeOS doesn't have a native terminal. For command-line tasks such as SSH or FTP, you'll need a third-party app like Termux. It supports the git command, allowing you to download repositories from GitHub and perform various other tasks. It can also function as a C emulator.
Download Termux
Fing
Fing is a popular networking app that scans your entire network and provides statistics. It's useful for monitoring network activity and bandwidth on your home network. Additionally, it offers utilities like ping, NetBIOS, and tracert.
Download Fing
Voice Recorder
The Pixel 4's Voice Recorder app is a must-have utility for Chromebooks. Whether you need to record voiceovers or store audio notes, this app has you covered. It also supports inbuilt voice recording, making it an excellent tool for recording lectures or presentations. Additionally, it can transcribe audio recordings in English to text notes.
Download Voice Recorder
A-Z Screen Recorder
ChromeOS doesn't have a built-in screen recorder, but A-Z Screen Recorder comes close. While its user interface is not optimized for larger screens, it supports full-screen recording in maximum resolution. You'll need to grant additional permissions for it to draw over the screen.
Download A-Z Screen Recorder
Wine
Wine recently launched for the Android operating system, allowing Linux users to run Windows apps. If you're accustomed to using Windows 10 and miss certain apps that don't exist on Android or the web, Wine can help. For example, Windows 10 has better photo viewer apps like Irfan View and Quicklook, as well as superior networking tools.
Download Wine
Chromebooks are excellent devices for working with cloud data and G Suite. While they may lack certain offline capabilities, the apps mentioned above are some of the best apps for your Chromebook and cover all the essential grounds. Whether you're editing documents, playing media, or creating content, these Android apps will enhance your Chromebook experience.
For additional issues or queries, feel free to let me know in the comments below.
Also Read: 15 Best Chrome Apps for Chromebook You Should Try in 2019

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
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