Installing Ubuntu on a Compatible Chromebook: Options and Risks

Installing Ubuntu on a Chromebook can refer to three different things: using the Linux environment provided by ChromeOS, booting Ubuntu alongside ChromeOS with compatible firmware, or replacing the firmware to keep only Ubuntu. These options have different effects and risks. The exact model — and especially the name of its board — determines what is possible.

Ubuntu on Chromebook: Linux Environment or Native Installation?

Before preparing a USB stick, clarify your goal. The integrated Linux environment in ChromeOS, called Crostini, opens a terminal and Linux applications in a Debian container. ChromeOS remains the main system: this is not booting into Ubuntu, nor is it a native installation of the distribution.

To boot into Ubuntu, the hardware and firmware must support a suitable installation path. There is no universal procedure for all Chromebooks. Do not initiate any firmware modifications based on a tutorial meant for another model.

Google documents Linux configuration under ChromeOS and specifies that the offered environment is Debian. The Ubuntu tutorial dedicated to Chromebooks indicates that it is outdated: its method relies on crouton, which is now end-of-life. Use it only as historical reference, not as the current method.

Check Chromebook Compatibility Before Starting

The commercial name is not enough. Note the board name, sometimes referred to as the board name: it corresponds to the beginning of the HWID displayed at the bottom of the developer mode or recovery screen. Search for this name in the MrChromebox list of supported devices. This list indicates the types of firmware available, but the presence of firmware does not guarantee that every component will work correctly under Ubuntu.

MrChromebox documentation supports ChromeOS devices equipped with an Intel or AMD x86_64 processor. ARM devices are not supported by these firmwares. Also, separately verify the compatibility of audio, Wi-Fi, touchpad, sleep mode, and special keys for your device and the intended distribution.

For Crostini, you can check the architecture from its terminal with:

uname -m

The command displays the architecture of the container, for example x86_64 or aarch64. This result informs about the Linux environment launched, but does not replace checking the board name in the compatibility list.

To confirm the distribution used in Crostini, run:

cat /etc/os-release

The file describes the container system; you should see Debian information there. Google can disable or restrict Linux on a device managed by a company or school: in this case, contact the administrator.

Keep ChromeOS: What RW_LEGACY Allows

Only on certain models, the RW_LEGACY firmware allows retaining ChromeOS functions while adding a boot path for another system. This can enable dual boot, but does not make the option available on all Chromebooks.

Its significant limitation concerns NVRAM memory: RW_LEGACY does not allow permanently saving the boot order or UEFI entries there. The choice of system at boot may therefore not persist as it does on a PC equipped with a full UEFI. The documentation also specifies that the options offered vary by device.

RW_LEGACY is not equivalent to firmware replacement. Do not follow steps meant for UEFI Full ROM, nor assume that a bootable USB stick will start without confirming compatibility and instructions that correspond exactly to your model.

Replace ChromeOS: Understanding UEFI Full ROM

UEFI Full ROM replaces the original firmware. This option targets compatible devices whose owner agrees to stop using ChromeOS. It also removes the possibility of using ChromeOS recovery mode. Installation requires handling firmware write protection, depending on the model, and carries a risk of rendering the device unusable.

Do not confuse a ChromeOS recovery USB with a backup solution after firmware replacement: it does not reinstall the original firmware by itself. The return to ChromeOS must be documented for the specific model, and it may require a backup of the firmware as well as specific manipulations. If you cannot confirm this return path before proceeding, do not replace the firmware.

The MrChromebox documentation on firmware types details these differences. It warns that Full ROM removes ChromeOS and its recovery mode. Do not apply a flashing sequence found online: procedures depend on the hardware and are not reproduced here.

Prepare for Installation Without Losing Data

• Back up important files outside of the Chromebook and ensure you can actually open some files from this copy. Simply syncing online is not enough if some local files have not been synced.
• Note the model and board name, then check available firmware options and known limitations in the documents corresponding to this device.
• Prepare ChromeOS recovery with the official recovery utility, on another computer if possible. This stick can be used to reinstall ChromeOS as long as the firmware and recovery mode remain available. Recovery may erase device data.
• Check the return path before any firmware replacement. Locate backups and instructions suitable for your board; confirm you have access to the required hardware or help if the device does not restart. A ChromeOS recovery USB alone does not constitute this return path for Full ROM.
• Plug in the charger and ensure the battery is sufficiently charged. Do not begin a firmware-sensitive operation if the power could be interrupted.
• Check the installation medium on another computer and ensure that the chosen Ubuntu image matches the architecture supported by the Chromebook.

To prepare a medium, consult our guide on creating a bootable USB Ubuntu if needed. Generic boot instructions do not replace rules specific to Chromebook firmware. Our practical guide for installing a Linux distribution covers general steps, not the compatibility of a specific model.

Which Option to Choose Based on Your Needs?

These cards replace a broad table to remain readable on mobile.

Decision Tree: Which Path Matches Your Case?

1. Do you primarily want to use Linux tools while keeping ChromeOS? Check ChromeOS settings and try Crostini. You are not installing Ubuntu natively.
2. Do you want to boot into Ubuntu while preserving ChromeOS? Note the board name and confirm that RW_LEGACY is offered for this hardware. If compatibility or expected behavior of the boot remains uncertain, stop at Crostini.
3. Do you want to remove ChromeOS and only boot into Ubuntu? Confirm that UEFI Full ROM is supported, that essential components work under Linux, and that you have a backup as well as a documented return path for your device.
4. Your board is not on the list, the recovery method is unknown, or you cannot back up your data? Do not modify the firmware. Choose Crostini if available, or keep ChromeOS.

After Booting Ubuntu: Check the System and Hardware

Once Ubuntu is booted, start by checking the architecture:

uname -m

This command displays the architecture of the active system, usually x86_64 on an Intel or AMD 64-bit device. The result confirms what Ubuntu has booted, but does not prove alone that all components are compatible.

To learn the version of Ubuntu and distribution information, use:

cat /etc/os-release

The output contains the system’s name and version, among other details. Then, concretely test Wi-Fi, sound, keyboard, touchpad, camera, sleep, wake, and charging. Note any absent or unstable elements before relying on this Chromebook for daily use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can all Chromebooks install Ubuntu?

No. Support depends on the model and its board name, available firmware options, and component compatibility with Ubuntu. A brand or commercial name is not enough to conclude.

Does RW_LEGACY guarantee simple dual boot?

No. It can allow retaining ChromeOS and booting another system on compatible devices, but UEFI settings are not saved in NVRAM. The result depends on the hardware and the instructions associated with its board.

Can you return to ChromeOS after UEFI Full ROM?

Do not assume yes based on a simple recovery USB. Full ROM removes the original firmware and the ChromeOS recovery mode. Check the return procedure and necessary backup for your device before any modification; without that, do not proceed.

Is the Ubuntu tutorial for Chromebook still to be followed?

No for its crouton procedure: Canonical indicates this tutorial is outdated and crouton is end-of-life. For Linux in ChromeOS, refer to Google documentation; for firmware, start from documentation that confirms your board’s compatibility.

Sources and Documentation

• Google Support — Set up Linux on your Chromebook: integrated Linux environment, configuration, backup, and limitations of Crostini.
• MrChromebox — Firmware Update Types: differences between RW_LEGACY and UEFI Full ROM, limitations, and consequences.
• MrChromebox — Supported Devices: verification by board name and availability of firmware options.
• Canonical — Install Ubuntu on a Chromebook: historical tutorial noted as outdated; its crouton method is not recommended here.

In practice, first choose the least risky path that meets your needs. Crostini is sufficient for many Linux uses. For a native boot, only proceed to the next step after verifying the board, firmware limitations, expected component functionality, and your recovery solution.