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.
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.
- Open Chrome browser on your Mac and select the Chromebook Recovery Utility in the Chrome web store.
- At the top right, click Add to
Chrome.
- When prompted, click Add extension.
- 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.
- Launch the Chrome Recovery Utility extension and identify your Chromebook as Google Chrome OS Flex, then click
Continue.
- When prompted, insert your USB drive, select it from the dropdown menu and click Continue, then click Create Now.
- When it says the media is ready, remove the USB drive.
- Now shut down the Mac you want to run Chrome OS Flex on and reinsert the USB drive.
- Power on the Mac again while holding the Option key.
- 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
Seven iOS Features Launching or Expanding in 2023
2023 is upon us and it will be another busy year for iPhone software. While details about iOS 17 remain slim, Apple has previously announced several features that will be available this year as part of upcoming updates like iOS 16.3 and iOS 16.4. Below, we have recapped seven iOS features that are expected to launch or expand to additional countries in 2023, such as an Apple Pay Later...
Apple Releases Limited-Edition AirPods Pro in Celebration of Chinese New Year
Thursday December 29, 2022 6:57 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
In celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year on January 22, Apple has released limited-edition second-generation AirPods Pro with a Year of the Rabbit engraving through its online store and retail stores in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. 2023 will be the Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar. The limited-edition AirPods Pro have a specially-designed rabbit engraving on the...
iOS 16 Exploit Lets You Change Your iPhone's Font System-Wide
Friday December 30, 2022 2:58 am PST by Sami Fathi
While Apple has increased the level of customization iPhone users have access to over the years, the iPhone's system-wide font has been one thing users have not been able to change. Thanks to a new tool created by a developer, however, users will now be able to change their iPhone's font if they're running an older version of iOS 16. The developer, Zhuowei Zhang, made a tool that changes an...
Apple Launching All-New CarPlay Experience in 2023 With These 5 Key Features
Wednesday December 28, 2022 9:58 am PST by Joe Rossignol
At WWDC 2022 in June, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple says the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience will be announced in late 2023, with committed automakers including Acura,...
Apple Shuts Down Popular Weather App 'Dark Sky'
The calendar has turned to January 1 and Apple has shut down popular weather app Dark Sky. The app had already been removed from the App Store in September and it stopped functioning for existing users starting today. Apple acquired Dark Sky in March 2020 and it has since incorporated many of the app's features into the preinstalled Weather app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Earlier this...
Apple Adds iOS 16.2's Home App Upgrade to Internal List of Major Issues
Friday December 30, 2022 7:16 am PST by Sami Fathi
Apple has marked iOS 16.2's Home architecture update as a major issue by adding it to an internal list of issues typically only reserved for widespread and noteworthy problems, indicating the update caused widespread and systemic issues to users' HomeKit devices and setup. Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 16.2, which included an option for users to update their Home app to a new, more...