Chromebook is a very popular laptop for lightweight everyday use. They ship with the light Chrome OS operating system, which is mostly web-based. It does not require a lot of resources to run smoothly. It’s a great choice for basic productivity, but the OS itself is quite restrictive. Below we have a quick tutorial on how to enable developer mode on Chromebook.
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Many functionalities of the laptop run with the help of the internet. The Chrome browser is a major part of Chrome OS. However, the developer mode is locked, and you cannot access the features directly. This is rather disappointing for enthusiasts since they prefer more granular control over their devices.
With some simple changes and the use of the command line, you can easily gain access to Chrome developer options on Chrome OS. Google normally locks these features to keep the interface simple for regular consumers. For people who want more features, this article will show you how you can enable Developer Mode on Chrome OS.
What does Developer Mode on Chrome OS do?
For enthusiasts, developers, and testers, developer mode adds a layer of functionality to the software. You can add your own modifications and customize the OS further with developer mode. Normally, you do not get System file access, but this mode gives you the option.
You get access to the Chrome OS command line interface, and you can now install applications that don’t have official approval or compatibility. It also gives you features that are normally not available. This can boost your productivity further.
You can run Linux apps, modify boot options, change the desktop environment, customize the UI looks, get access to system files, perform advanced debugging, and more.
It’s worth noting that this may void your warranty according to some particular terms from some manufacturers. So if you’re taking this to repair, you might want to switch back to the regular mode beforehand.
How to enable developer mode on your Chromebook
Note: Turning developer mode on will erase your entire local storage. You will lose all of your files due to a total system wipeout, so we recommend taking a backup of all your essential data before you proceed.
- Turn your Chromebook off; power it completely down.
- Press and hold the Esc key and the Refresh key. The Esc key has the Esc text, and the refresh key will have a clockwise arrow.
- Continue to hold the keys down, and press the Power Button to turn the Chromebook on.
- You should see a recovery screen eventually. Release the keys once you see it.
- You have to use your arrow keys to navigate from here. Use them to find the Advanced Options button. Press Enter.
- Choose the Enable Developer Mode option and press Enter again.
- Now, you will get a final confirmation screen. Confirm that you want to enable Developer Mode.
- The laptop will now restart, and you will see the Developer Mode screen. Choose the Boot from the internal hard disk option, and press the Enter key.
- Now your Chromebook will boot into the Developer Mode operating system.
You can now run programs and features that do not have official approval from Google. However, this comes with the usual risk of security vulnerabilities, bugs, and inconsistencies. If you’re looking for a stable experience and you dislike using Developer Mode, then you might want to disable Developer mode and boot back into the normal mode.
How to disable Developer Mode on your Chromebook
Note: Disabling Developer Mode will also completely erase your data. We recommend taking a complete backup of your important data before proceeding.
- Completely power your Chromebook down.
- Repeat the same step as above; press the esc key and refresh key together on the keyboard, and hold.
- Press the power button to turn the Chromebook on, and make sure you’re still holding the keys.
- When the developer mode screen appears, release the keys.
- Using the arrow keys to navigate, choose the Return To Safe Mode option and press the Enter key. Confirm this on the next screen.
- Your Chromebook will now restart and boot into the normal OS with all Google-approved features and more stability. Your security will also improve. We recommend keeping this mode off if you’re not actively using any of the features.
Conclusion
In Developer Mode, you can access features that weren’t available in the normal mode. Regular users cannot access these features. However, this comes with a risk of some serious security vulnerabilities. Make sure you’re aware of the issues that may arise if you use Developer Mode on your Chromebook.
