How to Jailbreak a Chromebook

how to jailbreak a chromebook

Chromebook jailbreak is a process that allows users to install custom software and operating systems on their devices. Although Google does not officially support the process, many people have succeeded.

There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common is using a tool called Crouton, which will show you how. However, it is essential to note that the only known way to jailbreak a Chromebook is with coreboot.

A Chromebook can be easy to jailbreak

Jailbreak is easy. However, it is a simple process, and the following steps will walk you through how to jailbreak a Chromebook. To begin, we will open the Google Chrome web browser, type Crouton into the address bar, and download Crouton from GitHub.

How do you jailbreak a managed Chromebook?

If you have a managed Chromebook, which means your school or workplace administers it, and you want to install an alternative operating system, you need to be prepared for extra work. Getting Linux running on a managed Chromebook is known as “jailbreaking.”

Jailbreaking can be done in different ways depending on the model of your device and what OS version the Crouton script supports. See the following sections for more details:

Chromebook jailbreak download

1. Download crouton from GitHub
2. Open the downloaded file and extract it to your computer.
3. Turn Developer Mode on the Chromebook by pressing and holding the Esc + Refresh + Power buttons together.

Installing Crouton to get a Linux shell

1. Open a Crosh shell; you can do this by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T
2. Type “shell,” then press Enter. You should see a prompt ending in your Chromebook’s name (e.g., crosh>).
3. Enter these commands: sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -t xfce or sudo install -Dt /usr/local/bin -m 755 ~/Downloads/crouton
4. Wait for the process to complete; it may take several minutes, depending on how powerful your device is and how much disk space you have available on your SSD/HDD (if it has one) and Exit the chroot.

Get Ubuntu packages

At this point, you should have the initial setup done. If not, go back and do it now! Now we’re going to install some packages; Ubuntu is one of them. We need to set up the Ubuntu environment on our Chromebook.

Ubuntu package will allow us to run a Linux-based operating system alongside Chrome OS so that we can simultaneously use both operating systems when we want to—without having two different machines for each OS.

To do this, we’ll be using Crouton (not Chrome OS: Chroot Environment), which is an easy-to-use tool that helps users create an environment where they can run multiple operating systems (like Linux) from within Chrome OS’ user interface without having separate devices for each OS type.

Install Ubuntu

Now that you’ve got Ubuntu installed, it’s time to set things up. First, open up a terminal window inside Crouton by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard. You’ll be prompted for a username and password for your Chromebook (the same ones you used during setup), a user account password, and a user account name.

This will vary depending on how many users are allowed on the Chromebook, but most modern devices allow only one user account per device. Once these steps are completed successfully, continue with the following steps:

1. To install additional programs or packages directly from the command line: Sudo apt-get install package_name

2. To update all of the software installed in Ubuntu with new updates available: Sudo apt-get update & sudo apt-get upgrade -y

Set up the Ubuntu environment and Chrome OS-specific packages.

Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system, so you’ll need to install Ubuntu to jailbreak your Chromebook. Ubuntu is the open-source community version of Linux, and it’s free to download and use. You’ll need Chrome OS developer mode turned on to run Ubuntu (more details below). Once you’ve installed both operating systems, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that Developer Mode is turned on by opening Settings > Advanced Settings > Turn on Developer mode.

2. Then press Ctrl + D or click the power button at the top right corner of your device for about 20 seconds until this message appears: “OS verification state changed.” That means you’re good to go!

Jailbreaking a Chromebook is easy with Crouton.

Crouton is an acronym for Chromium Os Universal Chroot Environment. It’s open source. Crouton lets you run Ubuntu Linux alongside Chrome OS, so you can switch between the two systems whenever possible.

You can even use the same keyboard shortcuts to switch between them. It is a tool that allows you to install Ubuntu Linux on your Chromebook, giving you access to all the software and functionality you would normally have on a traditional desktop or laptop computer.

Switch between Chrome OS and Ubuntu using the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Back and Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Forward.

1. To switch to or from Chrome OS, press the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Back and Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Forward keyboard shortcuts.
2. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Back will change your Chromebook back to Chrome OS, while pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift +Forward will switch it back to Ubuntu (the default operating system).

How to jailbreak a Chromebook FAQs

Can a Chromebook be rooted?

Chromebooks are based on Chrome OS, a stripped-down operating system designed for Web surfing and basic computing tasks. Chrome OS is based on the Linux kernel, so it is possible to root a Chromebook.

However, rooting a Chromebook is more complicated than rooting a traditional Android device. Several methods for rooting a Chromebook, but most require technical expertise.

What does jailbreaking a Chromebook do?

Jailbreaking a Chromebook means removing certain restrictions that Google has put in place. Jailbreaking can be done using software like Crouton, which allows you to run a full desktop operating system alongside Chrome OS.

This opens up a world of possibilities, such as using software not available on the Chrome Web Store or customizing your Chromebook’s look and feel.

Do I need to install anything to jailbreak my Chromebook?

No, you don’t need to install anything to jailbreak your Chromebook. All you need is a computer with internet access and a few minutes of your time. Just follow the simple steps we provided.

Can I jailbreak a Chromebook without root?

Yes, all you need to do is install Crouton on your Chromebook and then use it to install Ubuntu. This will give you full access to Ubuntu’s features, including the ability to jailbreak your Chromebook.

Conclusion

Jailbreaking a Chromebook is a process that you can complete in a few simple steps. It allowed for greater customization and control over the device and added features and functionality. While it is not illegal, it is not officially supported by Google or other Chromebook manufacturers.

As with any software modification, some element of risk is involved, so users should be aware of the potential consequences before proceeding.

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Exkay

Enjoys covering various related topics and with years of experience sharing content around social media, Fintech and computers.