3 Simple Ways to Get Discord on Chromebook

Unlike other operating systems, Discord does not have an official desktop app for Chrome OS. However, there are several methods you can use to get Discord on your Chromebook. Chrome OS supports web, Android, and Linux apps, so you have the option to install Discord's Android, Linux, or web app on your Chromebook. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of each method and guide you on how to install them. Let's dive in!

Get Discord Web App on Chromebook

Chrome OS is a web-centric platform, and the Discord web app is the closest thing to an official Chrome OS Discord app. It functions just like a desktop app and can be easily installed on your Chromebook. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Discord web app:

  • Advantages:

    • Open Discord in multiple tabs and windows for multitasking within Discord.
    • Right-click on the chat to open in a new tab.
    • Enhance functionality with Discord Chrome extensions.
    • Use the Inspect Element option to grab avatar URLs and color codes if needed.
  • Disadvantages:

    • Push-to-talk feature does not work in the background.
    • Cannot automatically show the game you are playing on your profile.
    • Chat notifications don't show avatars.

To install the Discord web app on your Chromebook, follow these steps:

  1. Visit discord.com and click on the “Open Discord in your browser” button.
  2. In the Discord web app, click on the three-dot menu at the top right corner of the browser.
  3. From the drop-down menu, select “More tools” > “Create shortcut.”
  4. In the pop-up window, enable the checkmark beside “Open as window” and click on “Create.”
  5. The Discord web app will be installed, and a shortcut will be placed in your app drawer. You can now access Discord in an app-like window instead of using it in Chrome.

Get Discord Android App on Chromebook

If you prefer installing an app on your Chromebook, the Discord Android app is the easiest option. Although the UI is designed for handheld devices, it is responsive and works well as your daily driver. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Discord Android app on Chromebook:

  • Advantages:

    • Better notification management than the web app.
    • Exclusive features like light mode not available on the desktop version.
    • Use Google Play balance to purchase Nitro and server boosts.
    • Compatible with other Android apps like Text Expansion.
  • Disadvantages:

    • UI is not optimized for the desktop layout.
    • Some web/desktop options are missing on the Android app.
    • Pop-up windows may not open properly.
    • Right-click menu doesn't work as expected with a mouse.

To install the Discord Android app on your Chromebook, follow these steps:

  1. Enable the Play Store on your Chromebook. If it's already enabled, skip to step 3.
  2. Open Chrome OS settings by clicking on the quick settings panel > “Cog icon.”
  3. Scroll down and click on the “Turn on” button beside the “Google Play Store” option.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
  5. Once enabled, you can find the Play Store icon in your app drawer. Open it.
  6. Search for “Discord” and click on “Install” to install the app, just like you would on an Android smartphone.
  7. After downloading, the app will be placed in your app drawer. Open it and log in to start using Discord.

Get Discord Linux App on Chromebook

The Discord Linux app is the same app available for Windows and Mac, offering all the features Discord has to offer. However, there are a few drawbacks to using Linux apps on Chromebooks. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Discord Linux app on Chromebook:

  • Advantages:

    • Equally responsive as the Discord desktop app on other operating systems.
    • Automatically shows any Linux games you are playing on your profile.
    • Receives new features before the web app and Android app.
  • Disadvantages:

    • Push-to-talk feature does not work in the background due to the container environment of Linux on Chrome OS.
    • No notifications until you open the app.
    • Most Chromebooks are not optimized to run desktop apps due to limited storage and budget processors.
    • Limited access to files through Discord due to the separate file space of the Linux subsystem on Chrome OS.

To install the Discord Linux app on your Chromebook, follow these steps:

  1. Enable Linux on your Chromebook by following the instructions here.
  2. Once Linux is enabled, open the Discord website at discord.com and choose the “Download” option in the menu. Alternatively, you can visit the Discord Download page directly.
  3. Scroll down to the Linux section and click on the “Download” option. In the drop-down menu, select the “deb” option.
  4. The Discord deb file will be downloaded. Open the Files app and locate the downloaded file.
  5. Copy the file and paste it into the Linux file directory, which can be found in the right sidebar of the Files app.
  6. After transferring the file, right-click on it and select “Rename.” Copy the file name by pressing Ctrl+C.
  7. Open the terminal and type the following command: sudo dpkg -i.
  8. Paste the copied file name by pressing Ctrl+Shift+V. The command should look like this: sudo dpkg -i discord-0.0.16.deb (with the appropriate version number).
  9. Press Enter to execute the command. If there are missing dependencies, type the command sudo apt-get install -f and press Enter. Follow the prompts to install the missing dependencies.
  10. Use the install command again to install the Discord app: sudo dpkg -i discord-0.0.16.deb (with the appropriate version number).
  11. The Discord Linux app will be installed on your Chromebook and can be found in the app drawer under the Linux folder.

Conclusion

Discord offers different options for Chromebook users to enjoy its features. The web app provides flexibility, while the Android app offers a familiar mobile experience. The Linux app provides a full-fledged desktop experience but comes with some limitations. Choose the version that suits your needs and make the most out of Discord on your Chromebook.