How to Get Fortnite on a Chromebook

Sideload the Epic Games launcher or install Chrome Remote Desktop

What to Know

  • Sideload: Enable developer mode and download the Epic Games launcher on an Android.
  • Then, transfer the launcher to your Chromebook and install it. This process doesn't work on some Chromebooks.
  • Or, install Chrome Remote Desktop on a Mac/PC. Connect to the Mac or PC, then launch and play Fortnite remotely.

This article explains two workarounds for getting Fortnite on a Chromebook, even though Epic Games doesn't support Linux or Chrome OS. We'll discuss how to sideload the Fortnite Android app, or use Chrome Remote Desktop to play your Windows or macOS version of the game remotely.

How to Sideload the Fortnite Android App On Your Chromebook

While it's possible to sideload the Epic Games installer and Fortnite on some Chromebooks, it's a fairly complicated process, and it doesn't work with most Chromebooks.

You have to enable developer mode, enable Android apps, enable apps from unknown sources, and download the Epic Games launcher yourself using an Android phone. After all that, if your Chromebook doesn't make the grade, you won't be able to install or play Fortnite.

Here's how to sideload Fortnite on your Chromebook:

  1. Turn on Chome OS developer mode on your Chromebook.

  2. Turn on Android apps for Chrome OS on your Chromebook.

  3. Navigate to Settings > Google Play Store > Manage Android Preferences.

    A screenshot of Chromebook Google Play Store settings.
  4. Tap Security.

    A screenshot of Chromebook Android app settings.
  5. Tap Unknown Sources.

    A screenshot of Chromebook Android app settings.
  6. Navigate to fortnite.com/android on an Android device and save EpicGamesApp.apk when prompted.

    A screenshot of Fortnite downloading to an Android device.
  7. Connect your Android phone to your Chromebook with a USB cable, and transfer EpicGamesApp.apk to your Chromebook.

  8. Run EpicGamesApp.apk on your Chromebook.

    A screenshot of the Chrome file manager.
  9. Click Package Installer.

    A screenshot of opening an apk on a Chromebook.
  10. Click or tap Install.

    A screenshot of the Epic Games installer on Chromebook.
  11. Click or tap Open.

    A screenshot of the Epic Games installer on Chromebook.
  12. Click or tap Install.

    A screenshot of Fortnite on Android.

    If you see a gray DEVICE NOT SUPPORTED box instead of a yellow install button that means your Chromebook isn't capable of running Fortnite.

  13. Complete the installation, and start playing Fortnite.

    A screenshot of Fortnite on Android.

How to Play Fortnite on Chromebook Using Chrome Remote Desktop

If your Chromebook isn't capable of installing or running the Android version of Fortnite, you can try playing through Chrome Remote Desktop. This is an app that connects your Chromebook to a desktop or laptop Windows or macOS computer, and you actually use that computer to play Fortnite.

To use this method, you'll need a Windows or macOS computer that's capable of playing Fortnite and a fast Internet connection.

Slow network speeds, your Chromebook hardware, and your Windows or macOS computer hardware can all impact the overall performance of Fortnite using this method. While this method works, your overall performance will be worse than if you were just playing on your Windows or macOS computer.

Here's how to play Fortnite on a Chromebook using Chrome Remote Desktop:

  1. Set up Chrome Remote Desktop on a computer capable of playing Fortnite.

    A screenshot of Chrome Remote Desktop.
  2. Install the Chrome Remote Desktop app on your Chromebook.

    A screenshot of Chrome Remote Desktop on Chromebook.
  3. Using your Chromebook, connect to your Windows or macOS computer and enter your PIN, if prompted.

    A screenshot of Chrome Remote Desktop accessing a remote computer.
  4. Open the Epic Games Store and launch Fortnite.

    A screenshot of the Epic Games Store in Chrome Remote Desktop.
  5. Play Fortnite through Chrome Remote Desktop.

    A screenshot of Fortnite running through Chrome Remote Desktop.

Why Doesn't Fortnite Work on Chromebooks?

Epic decides which platforms to release Fortnite on, and they've chosen not to support Chrome OS or Linux. That means there is no official way to play Fortnite on a Chromebook even if you install and run a full version of Linux.

If Epic ever decides to support Linux, then running the Linux Fortnite app will be the best way to play Fortnite on your Chromebook. Until then, you can either sideload the Fortnite Android app or play using Chrome Remote Desktop connected to a computer that's capable of playing Fortnite.

Since Epic doesn't officially support sideloading the Fortnite Android app on Chromebooks, compatibility isn't very good. You need to be able to run Android apps, you need a 64-bit processor and Chrome OS 64-bit, and you need at least 4 GB of RAM. If you meet all of those requirements, it may work.

FAQ
  • Why is Fortnite not working?

    If Fortnite isn’t working, there is likely an issue with your Epic Games Launcher, which developed the popular online video game. There are many ways to troubleshoot the launcher: check its server status page, force-close the program and reopen it, clear its web cache, update your graphics drivers, disable your antivirus and firewall software, or reinstall the launcher.

  • How do you get Fortnite on an iPhone?

    If you’re trying to download Fortnite on your iPhone for the first time, we have bad news for you: The popular battle royale game is no longer available on the iOS App Store. As such, there’s no way to download it for the first time. If you’ve downloaded it on your iPhone, though, you can grab it from the My Purchases tab to re-download it.

  • How do you change your Fortnite name?

    To change your Fortnite name, log into Epic Games, go to Account, and select the blue pencil icon to edit your display name. You can only change your display name every two weeks, and you must have a verified email address to do so.

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