People like the Chromebook’s minimalist design. However, there are users who want to do a bit more customization. Do you want to tweak your Chromebook settings? What if you want to install Ubuntu? In this article, we teach you how to enable developer mode on your Chromebook.
When you turn on developer mode, it Powerwashes your Chromebook. Hence, you need to backup your important files and information. Here’s a quick way to do so.
Create Backup & Recovery Media
Since developer mode formats your Chromebook, you need to backup your device. And, there is always the chance that changes done in developer mode may brick your Chromebook. Hence, you also need to create recovery fail-safe.
- Firstly, you need a hard drive or USB with 4 GB+ free space.
- Then, Download Chromebook Recovery Utility.
- Once done, open the app.
- Then, enter the model number on the screen in the text box.
- Click continue.
- Lastly, plug in your hard drive or USB. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your recovery media.
Furthermore, use a different USB drive or hard drive to backup media in your downloads folder, your documents, etc. Likewise, you may use cloud storage for these files.
How To Enable Developer Mode
- Firstly, press Esc + Refresh + Power button at the same time (for newer Chromebooks).
- On older Chromebooks, look for the manual switch to toggle Developer mode.
- Your Chromebook reboots.
- After the restart, a warning screen appears. However, you can safely ignore it.
- Simply press CTRL + D.
- On the next screen to appear, press Enter to turn off OS verification.
- Then, press Enter again to restart your Chromebook.
- On reboot, a warning pops up. Again, press Ctrl + D (you can safely ignore the warning).
- Finally, confirm that you want to turn on developer mode.
Once complete, Chrome OS then starts the transition. Please be aware that it takes time to do so. Possibly up to half of an hour. Moreover, the ‘OS verification is OFF’ screen pops up on each restart and you can press Ctrl + D to skip it. Your Chrome OS login screen then loads.
How To Exit Developer Mode On Chrome OS
- Firstly, restart your Chromebook.
- Then, on the OS Verification is OFF screen, click the Spacebar.
- Your Chromebook then resets and loads like normal.