[How-to] Sideload Android apps without Developer Mode on Chrome OS

Google continues to add new features to make the ChromeOS more exciting for users. The biggest development happened when ChromeOS started supporting compatible apps from Google Play Store. To side load APKs, you had to run the Chromebook in Developer Mode. Now the OS allows side loading APKs without developer mode.

The problem with side loading APKs in developer mode is that you had to place the Chromebook in Developer Mode. This means you have to wipe the device and press keyboard shortcut on booting of the machine. Chrome OS 80 has fixed this issue by adding the ability to side load APKs without placing the entire OS into Developer mode.

Having said that, this is not as simple as side loading an APK in Android phone or tablet. Google wants users to install Android apps to their Chromebooks exclusively through the Google Play Store. The process for side loading is meant for developers that can test their apps. The provision is made to test the compatibility of their apps with the Chrome OS system.

Here's how you can side load APKs on your Chrome OS 80:

1. Download the latest Android SDK Platform-tools for Linux. You can install ADB either through software repositories or an installer like Nexus Tools.
2. Head to Developer Options, enable ADB and run the following command to connect to Android: "adb connect 100.115.92.2:5555"
3. ChromeOS will prompt you to confirm ADB access. Now you can install APKs by copying them in the Linux apps folder.
4. To install the APK, you need to run the following command: "adb install app.apk"