Cheap laptops called Chromebooks run a proprietary version of Linux called ChromeOS. Historically, Chromebooks have been better known for running simple operations like taking notes and browsing the internet, but an expanding selection of Android-based apps and features are gradually making them suitable as a replacement for the traditional laptop. Even “Minecraft,” one of the most played video games in the world with 141 million players as of August 2021, can be played on them, according to Statista.
Instead of installing the standard “Minecraft: Java Edition,” which is more closely associated with how “Minecraft” is played on a desktop or laptop rather than how it is typically played on a mobile Android-based device, you will typically install something like “Minecraft: Education Edition.” However, playing “Minecraft: Java Edition” has the advantage of allowing you to see new content as it is released and to play with PC players on a much wider range of servers. Although “Minecraft: Java Edition” can technically be installed on a Chromebook running Linux, your gaming experience will ultimately depend on how powerful your Chromebook is. You should also ensure that you have a copy of “Minecraft: Java Edition,” which you can either purchase from the official website or obtain as part of PC Game Pass.
In order to enable GPU acceleration on specific Chromebook devices before you start, it’s a good idea to open a new Chrome page and then go to chrome://flags. If it isn’t already, just look for “GPU acceleration” and turn it on.
Android version (ARM and x86)
Last year, a group of developers managed to port the Java Edition of Minecraft to Android. If you have an ARM Chromebook, this will be the only option you have as the official Linux version of Minecraft does not work on ARM-based processors, unfortunately.
You can even install this app on your Android phone; all you have to do is download it from the Play Store (link below), sign in with your Mojang/Microsoft account, and you can begin playing!
You can also choose the version of Minecraft you want to play by clicking the “Options” button above it on the launcher’s home screen.
Linux version (x86 only)
An x86 Chromebook is required if you want to use the official Linux version of Minecraft. Below are the steps necessary to install it:
1. Go to Settings > Linux (Beta) > Turn on. Follow the steps on the screen. Setup can take a few minutes.
2. This step is technically optional but will make for a much better playing experience. You’ll enable a “Chrome flag” that fixes a notorious mouse-locking bug. The italicized “URL” below is what you need to copy and paste into Chrome and enable.
chrome://flags/#exo-pointer-lock
Select the blue box and change it to Enabled next to the corresponding highlighted flag. Afterward, select the blue Restart button in the lower right.
3. Next, we’ll download the Minecraft Linux file. This obviously assumes that you’ve already bought the game, so head over to minecraft.net/download and under “Linux Distributions,” click Debian and Debian-based distributions. The Linux software installed on your Chromebook is a Debian variant, thus, we need the Debian Minecraft package to install.
4. Open the Files app and select the Downloads folder. Locate the Minecraft. deb file you recently downloaded and double-click on it. In the dialogue box that pops up, select Install. Follow any installation procedures. This should also add a shortcut for the Minecraft app in your Chrome OS app launcher (it might resemble a small penguin icon).
5. You can now play the Minecraft Java Edition on your Chromebook after signing in with your Minecraft/Mojang account and pressing the Play button.
You might still need to tweak some of the graphics in Minecraft’s settings depending on how strong or weak your device is. Here is how I set up some of my Minecraft video settings to make the game run more smoothly:
- Graphics: Fast
- Smooth Lighting: Off
- Render Distance: 10 chunks
- Max Framerate: 30 fps
- Clouds: Off
- Particles: Minimal
- Entity Shadows: Off
OptiFine (Linux version only)
If your gameplay using the Linux version is still pretty bad even after the above tweaks, then I highly recommend getting OptiFine. OptiFine helps to bump up your framerate by optimizing Minecraft for lower-end devices. Here’s how to install it on your device:
1. Download OptiFine for the Minecraft version you want to play from optifine.net/downloads. Click the “(Mirror)” link to avoid the advertisement.
2. Open the Files app and select the Downloads folder. Locate the OptiFine_1. XX. X_HD_U_XX. Drag the jar file you just downloaded into the Linux files section on the left.
3. Run the following command without the brackets from your app drawer while in “Terminal,” which is open:
Therefore, depending on the version, this command might look something like this:
4. Just click Install in the window that appears, and after it is finished, you can close Terminal.
5. Click Play next to the recently added OptiFine version in the “Installations” tab of the Minecraft Launcher once it has been launched.
Here are some recommended OptiFine Settings to use. Go to Options and then choose Video Settings from the Minecraft menu screen.
- Shaders: Off
- Under Performance Settings:
- Fast Render: Off
- Smart Animations: On
- Under Quality:
- Mipmap Type: Nearest
Feel free to delete the Minecraft. deb and OptiFine jar files once complete. Additionally, all you have to do to update the Minecraft Launcher is download the new version. deb file and install it again. No data will be lost.
If this guide was helpful to you, please let us know in the comments section below. If not, please do so as well, and we’ll do our best to help you figure out what went wrong.
How to Install Minecraft on a Chromebook – 2021
FAQ
Can you play Minecraft Java on a Chromebook?
Minecraft is not currently supported for use on Chromebooks. Minecraft will not run on a Chromebook under default settings. Because of this, only Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems are supported by Minecraft, according to its system requirements.
How do you get Java Minecraft on a Chromebook 2022?
First, go to Settings and enable Google Play Store. You can use the Play Store on your Chromebook to download Android applications. 2. Search for and download the game Minecraft: Education Edition (Free) from the Play Store.
Can you download Java on a Chromebook?
It’s fairly simple to install Java on your Chromebook so that you can use Java applications. To install Java on your Chromebook, you must be in developer mode. To download and install Java, use the Crosh (command-line shell).
Can I install Minecraft on my Chromebook?
All Chromebooks that support Android apps are compatible with the Minecraft: Education Edition app. See ChromeOS Systems Supporting Android Apps for a complete list of supported devices. Note: You might experience sluggishness or screen hiccups with devices that aren’t listed.
