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Google Cross-Device service allows for streaming apps to ChromeOS

Pictured: Collins Eshiet
By Collins Eshiet
April 11, 2023
Featured image for Google Cross-Device service allows for streaming apps to ChromeOS

If you find yourself drenched in the Google ecosystem, then you will find the new Cross-Device service app useful. This feature is rolling out, and it helps with cross-collaboration between Android devices and Chromebooks. Google made mention of this feature during the CES 2023 event that took place in January, and it is now available.

With this feature, Chromebook users can easily access the apps on their Android device directly from the laptop screen. So there will be no need to reach out to your smartphone while working or studying whenever you need to make use of an app. You simply pull up the app from your Chromebook and perform whatever actions without touching your smartphone.

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This feature joins the long list of other cross-collaboration features that exist between Chromebooks and Android devices. If you make use of a Chromebook and an Android device, you will find this feature intriguing. It might also interest you to know that you can easily activate the Google Cross-Device service app for usage between your devices (Android and ChromeOS).

A quick glimpse of what to expect from app streaming as shown by the Google Cross-Device service app

Google is yet to widely roll out this app streaming to Chromebook feature to most Android devices. But some ChromeOS users that have Pixel devices are getting a glimpse of what this feature brings to the table. This is possible through the Cross-Device service app that comes with Google Pixel devices.

Users like Mishaal Rahman have already begun experimenting with this app streaming feature. The Android expert took to his Twitter account to share more information on this feature from his experience so far. Although the Google Cross-Device service app comes bundled with Pixel devices, it isn’t limited to them.

Other devices running Android 13 can access this feature via the Google Play Store. Once you have confirmed that you have this app on your Android device, head over to your Chromebook and open the Phone Hub. This is the little phone icon that sits on the right-hand side of the taskbar.

Ensure that your smartphone with the Cross-Device service app is connected to your Chromebook via the settings icon. If it is, you need to head over to your Android device and enable app streaming. To do this, open settings on your Android device and head over to ‘connected devices.’

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Next, open connection preferences and select Chromebook, lastly enable the apps option on the list that pops up. By taking these steps, you will be able to stream your apps to your Chromebook. Any app you open on your Android smartphone will pop up on your Chromebook and you can easily open the app and use it.

All functions and permissions the app comes with will also be available on your Chromebook. This means that you will be able to use your Chromebook’s camera, microphone, speakers, and so on while streaming your Android device’s apps. At the moment, this feature is still rolling out to Chromebooks via a system update. So even if you can’t stream your apps after setting it up, don’t panic, a coming update to your Chromebook will bring this feature.