You may give an outdated Mac a secure second life by installing software that turns it into a Chromebook if it is struggling to run the most recent version of macOS and no longer receives security updates from Apple. Let’s look at how to convert your outdated MacBook to a Chromebook.
The result of Google’s acquisition of Neverware in 2020 is Chrome OS Flex, which included software called CloudReady that allowed users to convert pre-existing PCs into Chrome OS workstations.
That’s because Chrome OS Flex, which enables older PCs and Macs to replace their operating systems and access a computing model that is almost entirely managed in the cloud, has been released by Google in an early access version.
By installing the cloud-first OS, you can be guaranteed that your Mac will boot quickly, receive regular security updates, and won’t degrade over time. How to convert your old MacBook to a Chromebook is provided here.
With Google Assistant, the Chrome browser, and Nearby Sharing, Chrome OS Flex, which shares the same code base as Chrome OS and comes preinstalled on every Chromebook, has a similar appearance and feel.
However, there is currently no Google Play Store, and Google has highlighted a few other limitations that distinguish OS Flex from Chrome OS on native Google devices, most of which are system-level.
What You Will Need
Macs began shipping with 16GB of free storage after 2010.
Installed on a Mac USB stick with 8GB or more of storage space is the Chrome browser.
Installation of Chrome OS Flex
Individuals are able to use OS Flex for nothing, but organizations and institutions who use CloudReady will still need to pay a fee and a monthly fee.
Because this is an early access version, expect some bugs (however, if you don’t want to install it, you can run the OS directly from a USB stick). The operating system will be delivered in a stable form over the next months.
- Open the Chrome online store on your Mac and look for the Chromebook Recovery Utility.
- Click Add to Chrome in the upper right corner.
- Click Add extension when prompted.
- Click Extensions -> Manage extensions at the top-right of your Chrome browser window, and then toggle the switch to the right next to Chromebook Recovery Utility to enable it.
- Launch the Chrome Recovery Utility extension and choose Google Chrome OS Flex as your Chromebook, then click Continue.
- Insert your USB drive when required, choose it from the dropdown menu, and then click Continue, then click Create Now.
- Remove the USB drive when it indicates the media is ready.
- Now, restart the Mac on which you wish to run Chrome OS Flex and reinsert the USB disc.
You can permanently install Chrome OS Flex by wiping out the device’s current operating system and replacing it with Chrome OS Flex after Chrome OS Flex has been successfully booted from the USB installer.
Use the USB installer to run Chrome OS Flex momentarily if you aren’t quite ready to install it on hardware. The device’s capabilities, including networking and input tools, can then be tested and verified to ensure that it operates as expected. For more details on the installation and configuration process, refer to the Chrome OS Flex installation guide.
