Chromebooks run ChromeOS, a Linux distribution based on Gentoo that Google has heavily modified for mainstream use. The kernel and underlying architecture remain close to Linux, but Google has stripped away most of the traditional desktop-related bits in favor of their web-centric approach.
Many people prefer these devices over Linux or Windows-equipped devices due to hassle-free hardware support, tight integration with the Google ecosystem, and quick boot times.
Sadly, there's some bad news for gamers on this platform, as an important app is set to join Google's Graveyard soon.
What's Happening: In a sneaky move, Google has quietly announced the end of Steam for Chromebook. The beta program that launched in 2022 will shut down completely on January 1, 2026.
Source: 9to5Google
9to5Google reports that Steam now displays a deprecation warning notice to users who try installing the app. The message gives everyone about four months to wrap things up before this version of Steam becomes unusable on ChromeOS devices.
Plus, this decision kind of checks out with what Google has been doing recently, bringing ChromeOS and Android closer together under one platform.
What Now: If you are a user of Steam for Chromebook, then your installed games will straight up vanish after January 1, 2026, and there's no way around it.
While ChromeOS lets you install the Linux version of Steam through its built-in Linux environment, this runs inside a container on a virtual machine with no GPU acceleration. Everything is rendered by the CPU using software (llvmpipe), so most games, especially graphics-heavy ones, won’t run well or at all.
You can play native Linux games and many Windows titles via Steam’s Proton, but performance is limited, and some setup is required.
Here's why you should opt for It's FOSS Plus Membership:
- Even the biggest players in the Linux world don't care about desktop Linux users. We do. - We don't put informational content behind paywall. Your support keeps it open for everyone. Think of it like 'pay it forward'. - Don't like ads? With the Plus membership, you get an ad-free reading experience. - When millions of AI-generated content is being published daily, you read and learn from real human Linux users. - It costs just $2 a month, less than the cost of your favorite burger.
Become a Plus Member today and join over 300 people in supporting our work.
Abhishek Prakash
