Google Chromebook
AP
The Chrome OS has a Developer Mode that gives you root access to the operating system of your Chromebook.
To enable Developer Mode, restart your laptop pressing the Esc, Refresh, and Power keys, then Ctrl+D.
Developer Mode may void your warranty and make you susceptible to malware.
If you feel constrained by the walled garden of Chrome OS, you might be interested in the Chrome OS Developer Mode. It’s a hidden setting on your Chromebook that turns off all the restrictions and protections built into Chrome and gives you relatively direct access to a wealth of features that typically only developers and IT professionals take advantage of.
While there are risks with enabling Developer Mode, it’s easy to do (and to undo if you want to turn it off later).
What is Chrome OS Developer Mode?
Developer Mode is a Chrome configuration that gives you root access to your Chromebook. Similar to the way you can “jailbreak” an iOS device, putting a Chromebook in Developer Mode means you can install Android apps from any source and bypass security systems ordinarily built into Chrome OS. You can even add a different operating system, so you can run Linux on your Chromebook as well.
After enabling Developer Mode, your Chromebook doesn’t automatically grant you access to the files and apps already installed, though, so you will need to manually copy existing data from the original configuration into Developer Mode. There are other things to be wary of as well. Not only does the device lose the security protections usually in place, making it susceptible to malware, but Developer Mode also generally voids the warranty of most Chromebooks.
How to turn on Chrome OS Developer Mode
If you’re ready to enable Developer Mode, be sure that you have backed up any data stored locally on your device. Then do this:
1. Make sure your Chromebook is turned off.
2. Press and hold the Esc, Refresh, and Power keys simultaneously. When you see your Chromebook start to power on, you can let go of the keys.
Press the Esc, Refresh, and Power keys simultaneously to start the process to enter Developer Mode.
Dave Johnson
3. You’ll see the recovery process screen. Select Advanced Options and then choose Developer Mode (or press Ctrl+D).
4. If you see a message asking you to verify the operating system, press Enter.
You can use the arrow keys to scroll down to Advanced options and choose Developer Mode or just press Ctrl+D.
Dave Johnson
The Chromebook should now start in Developer Mode. You’ll need to press Ctrl+D every time you start it up in Developer Mode.
How to turn off Chrome OS Developer Mode
You can disable Developer Mode at any time with just a few additional keystrokes:
1. Make sure your Chromebook is turned off.
2. Turn on your Chromebook.
3. When the Chromebook boots and displays the OS verification message, press the Spacebar.
4. Your Chromebook will factory reset and return to its normal configuration.
Important: Be sure to back up any local data you want to preserve before turning off Developer Mode.