How to Install Minecraft Java Edition on a Chromebook?

Minecraft is a game created by the Swedish video game developer Mojang Studio, which has become one of the most well-known names in the gaming industry. 

But is playing Minecraft on Chromebook possible? 

In this blog post, we explain whether there’s a Minecraft edition for Chromebook and how to install Minecraft Java Edition on a Chromebook.

Let’s dive in.

Can You Play Minecraft on Chromebook?

Although Minecraft can be played on most platforms, which is part of the reason why it has 141 million registered players, so far, the company hasn’t released an edition that’s supported on Chromebook. 

One of the main reasons is that Chromebooks aren’t optimised or built for gaming. These computers use the Chrome OS, which is a proprietary Linux-based operating system created by Google that uses the Google Chrome web browser as its user interface.

To get Minecraft for Chromebook, you’ll either have to ‘root’ your device to access the Linux kernel (Minecraft is available on Linux), run the Android-based version, or opt for the Minecraft: Education Edition, provided that you’re a student and your administrator has access to the game.

How to Install Minecraft Java Edition on a Chromebook?

While there is no official Minecraft Chromebook edition, there is a way to install the game on a Chromebook. Whether you should get the Java Edition for Linux or Android, depends on your chipset. 

The Java Edition for Linux only works for players who have a Chromebook with an x86 chipset from AMD or Intel. 

Installing Minecraft on Chromebook: Java Edition for Linux

1. Set up Linux on Chromebook.

To do so: 

• Open ‘Settings’.
• Select ‘Advanced’.
• Click on ‘Developers’.
• Select ‘Turn on’ next to Linux development environment (Beta)’.

• A dialog box will pop up. Click the ‘’Next’’ button to proceed.
• Insert a username for the Linux session.
• Click on the ‘Install’ button. 

2. Open the Linux terminal (find it via the ‘Search’ option or in the ‘App Drawer’).

3. Run the command ‘sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y’ to update the Linux to the latest version.

4. Go to the official Minecraft website and click on the ‘’DEBIAN AND DEBIAN BASED DISTRIBUTIONS’’ link to download and install the Minecraft.deb file.

5. Move the file to the ‘Linux file’ section in the Files app. 

6. Double-click on the Minecraft.deb file and click on ‘Install.’ The installation process shouldn’t take longer than a couple of minutes. 

7. Once it’s installed, search for the ‘Minecraft Launcher’ on your Chromebook. You can also find it in the App Drawer. 

8. Log into your Microsoft or Mojang account. 

9. Click on ‘Play Demo World’ and you can officially enter the world of Minecraft for Chromebook.

If you run into any installation errors, go to the Linux Terminal and install the Java Development Kit. You can then proceed to download and install the Minecraft.deb file.

Installing Minecraft on Chromebook: Java Edition for Android

Players who have a Chromebook with an ARM-based chipset will have to install a program to run the Android-based version of Minecraft.

1. Go to Google Play Store.

2. Search for PoJavLauncher and download it.

3. Run the app once installed. 

PovJavLauncher will automatically download and install the files needed to run Minecraft and launch the game.

Bottom Line

Minecraft is an excellent sandbox game that’s compatible with most platforms, including PCs, different versions of PS, several Xbox consoles, and Nintendo Switch, among others. Although there’s no official Minecraft edition for Chromebook, there is a way to install Minecraft on Chromebook and play the game from there, including via the Linux kernel and the PoJavLauncher.