How to install Vivaldi browser on Chrome OS
Vivaldi is an intriguing and highly customizable Chromium-based web browser. If you’re a fan of this browser and wish to use it on your Chrome OS device, it’s certainly possible. To install Vivaldi, you’ll need to enable the Linux version on your device. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process.
Enabling Linux on Chrome OS for Chromebook Users
If you have a compatible Chrome OS device, you can run Linux applications. Begin by accessing the Chrome OS settings. Click on the clock area and then select the gear icon to open settings.
In the Chrome OS settings, go to the “Advanced” section and expand it by clicking on the down arrow. This reveals additional settings, including the “Developers” options.
Under “Developers,” locate the Linux settings. Click on the “Linux development environment” option. Here, initiate the setup by clicking on the “Turn on” button. This process establishes a Linux LXC container, enabling you to run Linux apps within Chrome OS.
Once Linux is activated, open the Chrome OS dash on your Chromebook. Search for and launch the “Terminal” application. In the Terminal, select the “Penguin” option to access the command-line interface of the Linux container.
In the terminal, execute update and upgrade commands for the Linux container. These commands ensure you have the latest versions of the software packages.
First, run:
sudo apt update
This command checks for software updates and refreshes your package sources.
Next, execute the upgrade command:
sudo apt upgrade -y
This step installs any available updates for your packages. Note that the upgrade process might take some time to complete.
How to install Vivaldi on Chrome OS – DEB package
Perhaps the simplest method to install the Vivaldi web browser on Chrome OS is by downloading the official DEB package directly from the Vivaldi website. This guide will demonstrate how to download it through the terminal directly to Linux on your Chromebook, saving time.
To begin installing the Vivaldi browser on your Chrome OS system using the downloadable DEB package, first open the Chrome OS terminal. Once open, locate “Penguin” and select it with the mouse. After accessing “Penguin,” execute the wget command to download the Vivaldi package.
wget https://downloads.vivaldi.com/stable/vivaldi-stable_6.4.3160.44-1_amd64.deb
After downloading Vivaldi to your Chrome OS system using the wget command, the next step is to install the browser. To install Vivaldi on your Chromebook, use the apt install command as outlined below.
sudo apt install ./vivaldi-stable_6.4.3160.44-1_amd64.deb
Once you complete the command, the Debian-packaged version of Vivaldi will be available on your Chromebook. To launch it, select the Vivaldi shortcut in the “Linux Apps” folder found within the Chrome OS menu.
How to install Vivaldi on Chrome OS – Flatpak
Another method to install the Vivaldi web browser on Chrome OS is through Flathub as a Flatpak package. Begin by opening a terminal window on your Chrome OS desktop. You can find “Terminal” in the app menu.
Once the terminal is open, locate and select “Penguin.” In the “Penguin” section, use the apt install command to set up the “flatpak” package on your Chromebook. This package is essential for managing Flatpak apps.
sudo apt install flatpak
After configuring the Flatpak runtime by installing the “flatpak” package, enable the Flathub app store on your Chromebook. Enter the following flatpak remote-add command in the terminal:
flatpak –user remote-add –if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
With Flathub added to your Chromebook, you can install various Linux programs, including the Vivaldi web browser. To install Vivaldi on your Chrome OS device, execute the following command in the terminal:
flatpak install flathub com.vivaldi.Vivaldi
Running the above command will install the Vivaldi app on your Chromebook via Flathub as a Flatpak package. To launch Vivaldi, simply search for it in the “Linux apps” folder in the Chrome OS app menu.
Vivaldi Mobile
If you decide to install the Vivaldi web browser on your Chromebook, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s also a mobile app available for Android and iOS. This app can pair perfectly with your Chrome OS device. By installing the mobile version of Vivaldi, you can keep your bookmarks, passwords, and even open tabs in sync between your Chromebook and smartphone.
This synchronization extends beyond just bookmarks. It ensures that your browsing experience is fluid and consistent, whether you’re working on your Chromebook or browsing on the go with your mobile device. This means you get a unified browsing experience with no compromises in functionality or security, seamlessly bridging your activities across both platforms.
