About Chrome Apps

Chrome apps are applications or programs that run in the Chrome browser that take you to a website. Chrome must be running to access these applications. Examples include photo editors, audio recorders, concept map making, and video recorders and players.

Chrome apps can be found in the Chrome Web Store. However, Chromebooks do come with some pre-installed apps. This may differ slightly from Chromebook to Chromebook.

Pre-installed Chrome Apps

Most Chromebooks come with the following pre-installed apps:

  • Storing data on the web with google drive
  • Word processing with docs
  • Using spreadsheet with sheets
  • Making presentations with slides
  • Taking notes with keep
  • Organizing and playing music with google play
  • Calling and video chatting with hangouts
  • Emailing with gmail
  • Organizing your days with calendar
  • Remotely accessing with remote desktop
  • Reading with google play books
  • Getting directions with maps

Locating Pre-installed Chrome Apps

On Chromebook, very few applications are actually installed on the hard drive. Instead, the applications are more like links that open web applications in the Chrome Web Browser. You can view the pre-installed Chrome applications in the following ways:

1. Search Key

Pressing the Search key on your Chromebook keyboard opens the launcher and places a cursor in the search bar. Click on “All Apps.” You can then scroll between your windows by using a two finger swipe.

2. Launcher

Clicking the launcher located on the bottom-left on the Chromebook shelf will allow you to access the apps installed on your Chromebook. Click on “All Apps.” You can then scroll between your windows by using a two finger swipe.

Finding Chrome Apps

Chrome Web Store

The Chrome Web Store is Google's online store for web applications for Google Chrome. You can find many apps on the Chrome Web Store. Some apps are free and some cost money.


Locating the Chrome Web Store

To locate the Chrome Web Store, you can:

  • Click the App Launcher icon to bring up your apps and then click on the Chrome Web Store icon; or
  • Enter the Chrome Web Store URL in the Chrome browser: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/.


Browsing the Chrome Web Store

To browse the Chrome Web Store, you can:

  • Search for a specific term by entering your word or phrase in the search box in the upper-left corner of the page
  • Narrow your search by clicking the category links on the left side of the page, for example the Education category
  • Further refine your search by applying filters (item type, features, ratings).

Installing and Uninstalling Chrome Apps

Installing an App

To install an app, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Find and select the app you want, for example Timer Loop. A pop-up window will appear that contains information specific to that app.
  3. Click the Add to Chrome button located in the top-right of the pop-up window. The app will be added to your App Launcher.

NOTE:

  • Some apps may be blocked by your domain administrator.


Uninstalling an App

To remove an app from Google Chrome, follow these steps:

  1. In a new tab, open chrome://apps.
  2. Right-click the app you want to uninstall and select Remove from Chrome.
  3. A notice will appear asking if you want to remove the app.
  4. Click Remove.

Keeping Track of Your Apps

Keeping Track of Your Apps

To see a list of all the apps you've installed, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to the Chrome Web Store.
  2. On the upper right, click Settings .
  3. Select Your Apps.


Finding and Launching your Apps

Finding applications that you’ve added from the Chrome Web Store is the same as finding apps that come pre-installed on your Chromebook, which you learned in the previous lesson.

Remember, follow these steps:

  1. Clicking the launcher located on the bottom-left on the Chromebook shelf.
  2. Click on “All Apps.”