If you have an aging Mac lying around that struggles to run the latest macOS and has stopped receiving security updates from Apple, it's possible to give it a secure second life by installing software that essentially turns it into a Chromebook.

chrome os flex mac
That's because Google has released an early access version of Chrome OS Flex, which offers a way to replace the operating system on older PCs and Macs so that they can tap into a way of computing that is almost entirely managed in the cloud. Installing the cloud-first OS means using your Mac will stay secure with regular updates, it should boot fast, it and won't slow down over time.

Chrome OS Flex is the result of Google's 2020 purchase of Neverware, a company that offered an app called CloudReady that allows users to convert old PCs into Chrome OS machines.

Chrome OS Flex has the same look and feel as Chrome OS, which is shipped with every Chromebook, as it's built on the same code base and includes Google Assistant, the Chrome browser, and Nearby Sharing. However, it's worth noting that there's currently no Google Play Store, and Google has outlined some other, mainly system-level limitations of OS Flex that distinguish it from Chrome OS on native Google devices.

What You'll Need

  • Mac released after 2010 with 16GB of free storage.
  • Chrome browser installed on your Mac
  • USB drive with 8GB or more of storage space.

Installing Chrome OS Flex

Note that use of OS Flex is free for individuals, but schools and businesses who are using CloudReady will continue to be charged a fee and subscription rate, respectively.

Also bear in mind that this is an early access version, so expect some bugs (the OS can also be booted directly from a USB stick if you don't want to commit to installation). A stable version of the OS is expected to launch in the coming months.

  1. Open Chrome browser on your Mac and select the Chromebook Recovery Utility in the Chrome web store.
  2. At the top right, click Add to Chrome.
    chrome recovery

  3. When prompted, click Add extension.
  4. At the top-right of your Chrome browser window, click Extensions -> Manage extensions, and next to Chromebook Recovery Utility, toggle the switch to the right to turn it on.
  5. Launch the Chrome Recovery Utility extension and identify your Chromebook as Google Chrome OS Flex, then click Continue.
    chrome flex installer

  6. When prompted, insert your USB drive, select it from the dropdown menu and click Continue, then click Create Now.
  7. When it says the media is ready, remove the USB drive.
  8. Now shut down the Mac you want to run Chrome OS Flex on and reinsert the USB drive.
  9. Power on the Mac again while holding the Option key.
  10. Select the USB drive from the boot menu and hit Enter.

After you have successfully booted Chrome OS Flex from your USB installer, you can permanently install Chrome OS Flex, erasing the device's existing OS and replacing it with Chrome OS Flex.

If you're not yet ready to install Chrome OS Flex on devices, you can temporarily run it using the USB installer. That way, you can test and verify that device functionality, such as networking and input tools, works as expected. For more help on the installation and configuration process, consult the Chrome OS Flex installation guide.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Expected Next Week - Here Are the Release Notes

Friday March 28, 2025 2:01 pm PDT by
With the second release candidate of iOS 18.4 that Apple seeded out today, the company finally provided us with release notes that give a full rundown on what to expect. There's an Apple Vision Pro app, new Apple Intelligence features for notifications and additional language support, plus an Apple News Food feature for Apple News+ subscribers, and several updates that should improve the...
macbook pro blue green

When Will Apple Release the M5 MacBook Pro?

Wednesday March 26, 2025 4:53 pm PDT by
Apple regularly refreshes the MacBook Pro models, and a new version that uses M5 series chips is in the works. Apple just finished refreshing most of the Mac lineup with M4 chips, and now it's time for the M5. Rumors suggest that we could see the first M5 MacBook Pro models this fall. Design There have been no rumors of a design update for the M5 MacBook Pro models that are coming this...
Facebook Feature

Facebook's New iPhone App Feature Turns the Clock Back to 2007

Thursday March 27, 2025 1:59 pm PDT by
In the mid-to-late 2000s, Facebook was all about staying connected with friends and family. However, as the social media platform added new features and grew over time, that core experience began to get drowned out. That changes starting now, according to Meta, which today introduced a new feature that will "bring back the joy" of classic Facebook. Specifically, Meta has redesigned the...
Magic Mouse Green

What to Expect From the Magic Mouse 3

Saturday March 29, 2025 10:15 am PDT by
Apple is reportedly working on a new Magic Mouse. Below, we recap what to expect. The two key rumors for the Magic Mouse 3 so far include a relocated charging port, along with a more ergonomic design. It was briefly rumored that the Magic Mouse 3 would also feature voice control, but that was misinterpreted information. Relocated Charging Port While the Magic Mouse switched from...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Six Things to Know About Apple's Upcoming Foldable iPhone

Friday March 28, 2025 3:54 pm PDT by
We've been hearing rumors about a foldable iPhone for almost a decade now, but it looks like we might finally see the device come to fruition in 2026. We're going to be waiting many more months for the foldable iPhone, but so far we're hearing good things. Apple wants to make it creaseless. It's taken Apple multiple years to design a foldable iPhone that it's satisfied with because Apple ...
top stories 2025 03 29

Top Stories: WWDC 2025 Announced, iPhone 17 Pro and iOS 19 Rumors, and More

Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's big developer event is a little over two months away, and rumors about what we can expect to see in Apple's next major operating system updates are becoming increasingly frequent. A public release of iOS 18.4 is also imminent with a number of updates and improvements, although we won't be getting the major Apple Intelligence Siri upgrades that had reportedly been planned for this...
iOS 18 4 Ambient Music Control Center

How to Use iOS 18.4's New Ambient Music Feature in Control Center

Thursday March 27, 2025 7:45 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 18.4 update for the iPhone adds an Ambient Music feature to Control Center. Below, we take a closer look at how it works. iOS 18.4 is currently in beta, so the Ambient Music feature is not widely available yet. The update will likely be released to the general public next week. To use the feature on iOS 18.4, open Control Center and tap on the plus sign in the top-left...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

'iPhone Fold' to Feature Metallic Glass Hinge That Resists Deformation

Thursday March 27, 2025 4:21 am PDT by
Last week, we covered a report claiming that Apple's book-style foldable iPhone (or "iPhone Fold," as we are provisionally calling it here) will use liquid metal hinges to improve durability and help minimize screen creasing. Today, a Chinese leaker provided more details on the properties of this hinge material that help to clarify why Apple chose it for its first foldable device. According...