We’re happy to announce Proton VPN now officially supports Google Chromebooks. You can use the Android app on your Chromebook to unblock censored content, securely stream your favorite shows, and protect your internet connection on public WiFi. Adding official support for Chromebook devices has been a popular request from our community since we released our Android app.
How to download Proton VPN
To use Proton VPN, you will need a modern Chromebook that includes support for Android apps. Once you have confirmed your device supports Android, there are several ways to download the Proton VPN Android app. For most users, the easiest way to download and install our app will be to get it directly from the Google Play Store. Most Chromebooks come with the Play Store already preinstalled.
If your Chromebook does not have the Play Store, don’t worry. We have made our Android app’s APK available on our download page, GitHub, and F-Droid, the largest repository of free and open source Android APKs.
Download Proton VPN for ChromebookOnce you have installed the app, it will appear in your app menu. Double-click the Proton VPN icon to launch the app.
If you already have a Proton account, you can log in using your Proton username and password. If you are not already signed up for a Proton account, you will need to create a new account. Sign up for a Free plan for Chromebook and then return to the app.
Sign Up
All Proton Mail users automatically have access to the Free version of Proton VPN. Simply sign in to the Proton VPN app using your Proton Mail login credentials.
Once you are logged in, you can select the country and server you would like to connect to.
Note. If enabled, disconnecting via the system tray will disable the Always on and Block connections without VPN settings. To keep these settings enabled, please Disconnect from within the Proton VPN app.
Using Proton VPN on Chromebooks
A Chromebook is a laptop that uses the Linux-based Chrome OS as its operating system. To keep Chromebooks small and inexpensive, the apps and data they use are stored in the cloud rather than on the device itself.
Because Google owns the operating system itself, it is difficult to limit the company’s ability to monitor your activity on a Chromebook. Because of this, Proton VPN may be less effective at hiding your location and thwarting trackers.
Learn about how Google collects your data.
However, Proton VPN for Chromebook enables you to:
- Access censored content — By connecting to a server on a different network or in another country, you can access content that would otherwise be blocked.
- Securely stream geo-blocked films and shows — If you are a Proton VPN Plus subscriber, you can watch your favorite content on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max no matter where you are. Learn how to watch your favorite movies and TV shows with our VPN streaming guide.
- Protect your internet connection on public WiFi — Hackers can monitor a hotspot’s network traffic or even set up a malicious hotspot that they control. Proton VPN encrypts your internet connection so that even if your traffic is being monitored, your data remains secure and private.
Increased defense against censorship
We believe free speech is a fundamental human right, and our mission is to give everyone the ability to exercise it. We are working to increase access to our VPN by making our apps available in more languages. Similarly, by adding official support for Chromebooks to our Android app, we are making it easier for more people worldwide to access censored and blocked content.
Don’t forget to let us know what you think about using Proton VPN on your Chromebook on Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Instagram, and Linkedin.
Thank-you! Great instructions and easy to set up and follow.
1 question – in settings there is also an “Open VPN/L2TP” I think using this will connect to my router, hard drive ‘network’ printer etc. How do I set this up (through laptop bridge?) or???
Set up home VPN network – server hostname would be my router?? thanks.
How could I install ProtonVPN on my school chromebook? I don’t want to powerwash my chromebook to turn on Developer Mode. I can’t install anything in the Play store except the apps that are allowed, such as Google Meets. A lot of websites are blocked for no reason.
I am very enthusiastic about all of the Proton services (including the VPN).
The only problem I am having with the VPN is that I often have to disconnect and then reconnect to get data flowing again while I am using my Chromebook.
I’ll be going to news sites or working and then suddenly there is no internet until I click on disconnect and then click on connect.
This happens on both my Chromebooks (an intel I5-based and a mediatek-based) but never on my andrioid phone, or on my linux computer.
…any advice? Thanks!
Are there any plans for a chrome extension for the VPN?
Hi Logon. Browser extensions are not a high priority on our development roadmap at the moment. That said, we a community-driven service, and are therefore highly responsive to the needs of our users. Please leave feature suggestions on our Feedback Forum.
Useless the free version
Hi dieter. Can you please explain your problem? Our free app works on Chromebooks to give you a free VPN service with no data limits or artificial speed restrictions.
Thanks so much Ritchie! This seems to be working fine on my Lenovo Duet Chromebook. You guys are truly doing a very good work in this world, we cannot thank you enough.
Nice! Do you know when the app for Android smart TV will also be available ?
Hi Manfried, the app for Android TV will be coming out in the very near future. Keep an eye on this blog and our social media channels to stay up to date.
Cheers.
Works like a charm on my Lenovo. Flawless. Quick. Seamless. Highly recommend.
Hello Richie,
Proton VPN saved my life, literally. I just want to say thank you! God bless you for what you do!
Warm regards,
Mona-Lisa Petreanu, CFE
Happy we could help Mona-Lisa!
Sorry Mr. Koch, but if a Chromebook doesn’t have the Play Store is won’t run Android-Apps. Don’t even sideloaded apps. No chance.
A chromeOS device must support the Android-container, native. If the device is too old, so that it don’t support the Android-container, the user first has to upgrade to a newer device.
Sideloading apps is possible (also only on newer devices) but hard to manage for normal users. Therefor the user has to enable developer-mode on the device, but don’t suggest that to normal users.
Kind regards,
Thomas Beling
(ex-manager of the Chromebook Deutschland Community on Google+)
You are correct, Thomas, thank you for pointing this out. We have corrected the blog post accordingly.
Cheers.