Introduction to Android

Google introduced Android application support in late 2016 and was key in allowing ChromeOS to work offline, while not connected to the internet. Prior to Android application support, ChromeOS had very limited offline functionality.

Android is currently the most used operating system with billions of active users per day. Android is a mobile operating system that was designed to be used on Mobile Phones and Tablets. Android is an open source operating system that is currently developed by Google and has hundreds of active developers who contribute code to the operating system. Like several other open-source operating systems, Android is a Linux based operating system, also known as a distribution.

Most ChromeOS devices can run Android applications alongside Chrome applications due to the ChromeOS Android Runtime Container (ARC) which seamlessly runs Android applications in a virtual machine.

Many Chromebooks also offer deep integration with Android phones such as SMS syncing, Android device unlock and Instant Tethering. These features will vary by device and location.