Setting Up a Chromebook to Use on Campus

Chromebook ChromeOS PWA Web-App

Overview

While Chromebooks tend to be limited by their low-resource and cost-conscious design, many University resources can be accessed through web apps, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), Chrome extensions, Android apps, and remote resources. We'll go over some frequently-used resources and the best way to access them from a Chromebook.

Notes from Pitt IT:

You will not be able to make use of all University resources when using a Chromebook.
Do not attempt to use a your University Computing Account (UCA), Pitt account, or Pitt email address as a Google Account to set up or sign into your Chromebook. This can cause significant issues with your device.

University Resources

University Wi-Fi, Residence Hall Wi-Fi and PittNet VPN

University Wi-Fi (WIRELESS-PITTNET and eduroam)

It's more complicated to connect to University Wi-Fi networks on a Chromebook than on most other devices, so instructions with screenshots are available here: Connecting Chromebooks to PittNet Wi-Fi.

Residence Hall Wi-Fi (MyResNet)

Connecting to residence hall Wi-Fi on a Chromebook isn't more complicated than it is on other devices, so you can follow the standard instructions, available here: Getting Started with MyResNet.

PittNet VPN (GlobalProtect)

Please note: you may not be able to access all resources due to differing security requirements. Chromebooks use the GlobalProtect Android app from the Google Play store, so a Google account is required.

Full instructions are available here: Getting, Setting Up, and Connecting With PittNet VPN (GlobalProtect).

Cloud Computing

The Pitt IT's cloud computing resources allow users to remotely access a set software and resources from almost any computer or mobile device. For ease of access on Chromebooks, we recommend using the Microsoft Remote Desktop Android app, available on Google Play .

For installation instructions and more information, see our notes about Android apps.

Virtual Computing Lab (for Students)

Setup instructions are available here: Virtual Computing Lab - Use the Remote Desktop Client.

A complete list of software available in the Virtual Computing Lab is available here: Software in the Student Computing Labs.

For more information, visit the Virtual Computing Lab page.

Virtual Desktops for Remote Work (for Faculty and Staff)

Setup instructions are available here: Getting Started with Virtual Desktops for Remote Work - Use the Remote Desktop Client.

For more information visit the Getting Started with Virtual Desktops for Remote Work page.

Printing

PittPrint - MobilePrint: Pharos Chrome Print Extension

Our recommended way of sending documents to PittPrint stations from a Chromebook is the Pharos Chrome Print Extension, available on the Chrome Web Store .

Setup instructions and more information are available here: Getting Started with PittPrint Stations, Touchless Printing, and Pharos - MobilePrint: Pharos Chrome Print Extension - Printing from Chrome Browsers and Chrome OS.

Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and Teams

Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote)

Notes from Microsoft :

You can’t install the Windows or Mac desktop versions of Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on a Chromebook.
The Android versions of Office and OneNote are not currently supported on a Chromebook.

The best way to access Microsoft 365 apps on a Chromebook is through the Microsoft 365 PWA, available here: Microsoft 365 .

For installation instructions and more information, see our notes about PWAs.

Microsoft OneDrive

Notes from Microsoft :

You can’t install the Windows or Mac desktop versions of OneDrive on a Chromebook.
The Android version of OneDrive is not currently supported on a Chromebook.

ChromeOS is rolling out a way to connect Microsoft OneDrive with the Chromebook Files app.

Instructions are available here: Your Chromebook’s Files app finally gets Microsoft OneDrive integration - Android Police .

More information is available here: Rolling out a new way to open and edit Office files - Chrome OS Beta Community .

Microsoft Teams

The best way to access Microsoft Teams on a Chromebook is through the Microsoft Teams PWA, available here: Microsoft Teams .

For installation instructions and more information, see our notes about PWAs.

Email

Email (Microsoft Outlook)

Notes from Microsoft :

You can’t install the Windows or Mac desktop versions of Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on a Chromebook.
The Android version of Outlook is not currently supported on a Chromebook.

The best way to access your Pitt email on a Chromebook is through the Microsoft Outlook PWA, available here: Outlook .

For installation instructions and more information, see our notes about PWAs.

General Information & Tips

Web Apps

A web app is an app built for the web that you can access on any device.

Installation instructions and more information are available here: Use web apps - Chromebook Help .

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are web apps that include extra features, like more storage to browse content offline, notifications, file system access, and icon badges. PWAs are generally installed from the address bar of the browser through an installation prompt like the one displayed below.

Once downloaded and installed, we recommend going into application settings (three dots in the top right corner) to enable notifications, link handling, and any other applicable options to make the most of the extra features PWAs have to offer.

More information is available here: Use web apps - Chromebook Help .

Chrome Extensions

Extensions work like regular programs for desktop computers, but they run entirely in the Chrome browser. You don't need to install software or restart your computer.

You can find extensions in the Chrome Web Store .

More information is available here: Add extensions - Chromebook Help .

Android Apps

Note from Pitt IT:

Just because an Android app is compatible with your Chromebook doesn't mean it's optimized for ChromeOS. You may have a better experience using the web app or PWA version.

Note from Google :

Currently, the Google Play Store is available for only some Chromebooks.

Learn which Chromebooks support Android apps here: Chrome OS Systems Supporting Android Apps - Chromium OS .

You can download Android apps from the Google Play Store app and use them on your Chromebook.

Installation instructions and more information are available here: Install & use Android apps on your Chromebook - Chromebook Help .

We recommend that you allow resizing of Android apps .

Remote Resources

The University uses Azure Virtual Desktop and the Microsoft Remote Desktop app for the Pitt IT Virtual Computing Labs and Virtual Desktops for Remote Work, but different areas and groups may use different systems to provide access to different resources. Before trying to set your Chromebook up to access another one of these systems, be sure to reach out to the support group for that system to ensure ChromeOS is supported.

Linux Apps - ADVANCED

Note from Pitt IT:

The Drop-In Support (DIS) and Student Chromebook Loaner Program (SCLP) teams offer no official support for Linux applications running on ChromeOS. Users who choose to do this do so at their own risk.

Note from Google :

Currently, Linux is available for only some Chromebooks.

Learn which Chromebooks support Linux here: ChromeOS Systems Supporting Linux on ChromeOS - Chromium OS .

Setup instructions and more information are available here: Set up Linux on your Chromebook - Chromebook Help .