How to install Steam and play popular games on a Chromebook: Step-by-step guide

Steam is now on Chromebooks, letting you play popular PC games. Here’s how you can install and start gaming on supported devices.

Chromebooks have long been seen as simple work and study devices, but Google and Valve have been reshaping that perception. With the arrival of Steam on ChromeOS, users now have access to PC gaming directly on their lightweight laptops. First tested in 2022 through the ChromeOS Dev channel, Steam has since moved to the Beta channel, opening the door to more devices and a smoother experience.

Here’s how to install Steam on your Chromebook and start playing PC games with ease. (Steam)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

Read moreRead less

Steam support expands the gaming options already available on Chromebooks, which previously focused on Android titles and cloud services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now. The update means Chromebook owners can now play popular PC games without relying entirely on streaming platforms.

The beta version of Steam supports laptops powered by AMD Ryzen 5000 C-series and Intel 12th-generation Core processors. Google has set minimum requirements at Core i3 or Ryzen 3 processors, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, though it recommends at least an i5 or Ryzen 5 with 16GB RAM for better performance. Currently, 35 Chromebook models are officially supported, including Acer Chromebook 514, Asus Chromebook CX9, HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, Dell 5430 Chromebook, and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16.

If you own one of these models, installing Steam is straightforward. Here’s how you can set it up:

1. Switch to the Beta channel:

• Open Chromebook settings and search for “Channels.”
• Select Beta and let the update download.
• Restart your device once the installation finishes.

2. Enable Steam support:

• In your browser, type chrome://flags.
• Search for #borealis-enabled and switch it to Enabled.

3. Install Steam:

• Open the ChromeOS launcher and search for Steam.
• Select the app, follow the setup instructions, and sign in with your account.

After installation, users can explore a growing library of games. Titles like Portal 2, Dota 2, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Stardew Valley, and Skyrim Special Edition are already available. ChromeOS runs Linux versions of games where possible, while others use Proton, Valve’s compatibility tool also found on the Steam Deck.

Performance depends on hardware, but early tests show smooth gameplay when paired with compatible accessories such as Bluetooth controllers. For those considering a new Chromebook purchase, it is important to factor in storage space and system requirements if Steam gaming is part of the plan.

With these steps, Chromebooks are no longer just for browsing and documents, they are becoming an entry point into PC gaming.

Mobile finder: iPhone 16 Pro LATEST price, specs and all details