How to install the Brave browser on a Chromebook

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Chromebook Specials

Brave is a privacy-focused web browser that has gained significant popularity for its built-in ad-blocking, tracker protection, and faster page loading times. If you're using a Chromebook with Linux Apps support enabled, you can install the full desktop version of Brave to enhance your browsing experience beyond what's available in Chrome OS.

This guide will walk you through the complete process of installing Brave browser on your Chromebook. Please follow along with the video tutorial below, which demonstrates each step visually, and use the commands provided in this post for easy copy-and-paste installation.

System Requirements

Before proceeding, please note that this tutorial will only work on Chromebooks with an Intel or AMD CPU that support Linux Apps (Crostini). Unfortunately, this method is not compatible with Chromebooks using an ARM64 architecture CPU, as the official Brave repository only provides packages for AMD64 architecture.

If you're unsure whether your Chromebook supports Linux Apps, check out our comprehensive list of all currently supported Chromebooks with Linux Apps (Crostini) support.

Why Install Brave on a Chromebook?

You might wonder why you'd want to install Brave when your Chromebook already comes with Chrome. Here are some compelling reasons:

  • Enhanced Privacy: Brave automatically blocks ads and trackers, providing better privacy protection out of the box
  • Faster Browsing: By blocking unwanted content, pages often load significantly faster
  • Cryptocurrency Integration: Brave includes built-in support for cryptocurrency wallets and the Brave Rewards program
  • Cross-Platform Sync: If you use Brave on other devices, you can sync your bookmarks, passwords, and settings
  • Chromium-Based: Since Brave is built on Chromium (like Chrome), it supports all the same extensions and web standards

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Enable Linux Apps on Your Chromebook

If you haven't already enabled Linux Apps on your Chromebook, you'll need to do this first. Navigate to your system settings by clicking on the time in the bottom-right corner, then click the gear icon. In the settings menu, look for "Linux (Beta)" or "Developers" in the left sidebar and click on it. Then, click the "Turn On" button to enable Linux Apps.

The setup process will download and configure a Linux container on your Chromebook. This may take several minutes depending on your internet connection and device performance. Once complete, you'll have access to a Terminal application that we'll use for the installation.

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Open the Terminal app from your app drawer. We'll start by ensuring your system has all the necessary packages for adding the Brave repository. The first command installs tools for secure package management and downloading files.

Command 1:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https curl gnupg

Press Enter, and if prompted, type 'Y' and press Enter again to confirm the installation. This command installs three essential packages: apt-transport-https (for secure repository connections), curl (for downloading files), and gnupg (for verifying package signatures).

Step 3: Add the Brave Browser Security Key

For security purposes, package repositories use cryptographic keys to verify that the software you're downloading is authentic and hasn't been tampered with. This command downloads and adds Brave's official signing key to your system.

Command 2:

curl -s https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/brave-core.asc | sudo apt-key --keyring /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/brave-browser-release.gpg add -

This ensures that any packages you install from the Brave repository are verified as legitimate.

Step 4: Add the Brave Repository

Now we'll add the Brave browser repository to your system's list of software sources. This tells your package manager where to find and download Brave.

Command 3:

echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list

This command creates a new repository list file specifically for Brave, pointing to the stable release channel.

Step 5: Update Package Lists

After adding a new repository, you need to refresh your system's package lists so it knows about the software available from the newly added source.

Command 4:

sudo apt update

This command contacts all configured repositories, including the Brave repository you just added, and downloads the latest package information.

Step 6: Install Brave Browser

Now we're ready to install Brave! This command will download and install the browser along with any additional dependencies it needs.

Command 5:

sudo apt install brave-browser

Press Enter to confirm the installation when prompted. The download and installation process may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

Step 7: Launch Brave Browser

Once the installation is complete, you can launch Brave directly from the terminal to verify everything is working correctly.

Command 6:

brave-browser --disable-framerate-limit

The --disable-framerate-limit flag can help improve performance on some Chromebook configurations. After verifying that Brave launches successfully, you can close it and reopen it from your app drawer just like any other application. You'll find it listed among your Linux apps.

Post-Installation Tips

Now that you have Brave installed, here are some tips to get the most out of it:

  • Configure Sync: Set up Brave Sync to keep your bookmarks, extensions, and settings synchronized across devices
  • Explore Brave Rewards: Consider enabling Brave Rewards if you're interested in earning cryptocurrency for viewing privacy-respecting ads
  • Adjust Privacy Settings: Visit brave://settings/shields to customize your tracking and ad-blocking preferences
  • Import Your Data: Use Brave's import feature to bring over bookmarks and passwords from Chrome or other browsers
  • Install Extensions: Brave supports Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any problems during installation:

  • Installation fails: Make sure your Chromebook's Linux container is fully updated by running sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade before starting
  • Brave won't launch: Try launching from the terminal to see any error messages that might indicate the problem
  • Performance issues: Remember that Linux apps on Chromebooks run in a container, which can be more resource-intensive than native Chrome OS apps. Closing unnecessary tabs and applications can help
  • ARM Chromebook errors: Double-check that your Chromebook has an Intel or AMD processor, as ARM-based devices cannot use this installation method

Additional Resources

For more information and updates, check out these helpful links:

Google Doc used in the tutorial

Official Brave Website:
https://brave.com/

Official Brave Linux Installation Documentation:
https://brave.com/linux/#release-channel-installation

The commands used in this tutorial are based on the official Brave installation instructions for Linux systems.

Need Help?

If you have any questions or run into issues during the installation process, please don't hesitate to reach out! Leave a comment on our YouTube video, and we'll be happy to assist you with troubleshooting or clarification on any steps.

Have a look at our Chromebook comparison and Buyers Guide for more helpful information!

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