Borealis on Chromebook Steam Gaming Explained

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Borealis is the codename for Google’s official project to bring Steam gaming to Chromebooks, letting you install and play PC games directly on ChromeOS without a cloud streaming service. It works by running a customized version of Linux with Steam inside a virtual machine, and it is currently available on a limited set of higher-end Chromebooks. This article explains what Borealis is, how it works, which devices support it, and what you can expect from it.

Background: Why Chromebooks Need a Special Steam Project

For years, Chromebooks were seen as lightweight laptops for browsing and schoolwork, not gaming. ChromeOS is built around the Chrome browser and Android apps, but most PC games are made for Windows. To run them on a Chromebook, you need either a compatibility layer like Proton (which translates Windows game code to Linux) or a cloud gaming service like GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Google started working on Borealis in 2020, and it was first announced publicly in 2022. The project’s goal is to make Steam games run natively on ChromeOS, using the same Linux compatibility tools that Valve developed for the Steam Deck. Instead of asking users to install Linux themselves, Borealis packages everything into a virtual machine that ChromeOS manages automatically.

How Borealis Works: The Technical Details

Borealis uses a virtual machine (VM) called crosvm, which is the same VM technology ChromeOS uses for Android apps and Linux containers. Inside that VM, it runs a lightweight Linux distribution with the Steam client and Proton. The VM is isolated from the rest of ChromeOS, so a game crash won’t take down your whole system.

Key components:

Proton: A compatibility layer based on Wine that lets Windows games run on Linux. Valve developed it for the Steam Deck, and Borealis uses the same tool.
GPU acceleration: The VM passes through the Chromebook’s graphics hardware (usually Intel integrated graphics or AMD Radeon) to the Linux environment, so games can use hardware rendering.
Performance scaling: ChromeOS can adjust CPU and memory allocation to the VM on the fly, depending on what the game needs.

When you install a game from Steam, it downloads to a virtual disk inside the VM. The game files are stored in a separate partition, so they don’t clutter your main ChromeOS storage.

Which Chromebooks Support Borealis?

Borealis is not available on every Chromebook. It requires a relatively powerful processor (Intel Core i5 or i7, or AMD Ryzen 5/7), at least 8GB of RAM, and a GPU that supports Vulkan. As of 2024, the official list includes devices like the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip, and the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook. Google maintains a list of supported devices on its ChromeOS support page, and it expands over time.

If your Chromebook is not on the list, you can still try the older Linux (Crostini) feature to install Steam manually, but performance will be worse and it’s not officially supported. Borealis is the only way to get the full Steam experience with proper GPU acceleration and game compatibility.

How to Get Borealis on Your Chromebook

If your device is supported, Borealis is usually enabled by default in recent ChromeOS versions. You just need to:

Open the Play Store and search for “Steam” – the Borealis version appears as a normal app.
Install it like any Android app. It will download the Linux VM and Steam client on first launch.
Sign in with your Steam account and download games.

If you don’t see Steam in the Play Store, your device likely isn’t supported yet. You can check your ChromeOS version (Settings → About ChromeOS) and see if it’s on the supported list. Some users have enabled Borealis via flags, but that’s not recommended for stability.

Performance and Game Compatibility

Borealis performance varies widely depending on your hardware. On a Chromebook with a Core i5 and 8GB RAM, you can expect:

Indie games and older titles (like Stardew Valley, Portal 2, Celeste) run at 60fps at 1080p.
Mid-range games (like Rocket League, CS:GO) run at 30-60fps with reduced settings.
AAA games (like Cyberpunk 2077) are generally not playable, even on the best Chromebooks, due to thermal and power limits.

Proton compatibility is the same as on the Steam Deck – check ProtonDB for game ratings. Games with anti-cheat (like Fortnite or Destiny 2) won’t work because the anti-cheat doesn’t run in the VM.

Borealis vs. Cloud Gaming vs. Linux (Crostini)

You have three ways to play PC games on a Chromebook, and each has trade-offs:

Borealis: Best for offline play, works with your existing Steam library, but limited to supported hardware and no anti-cheat games.
Cloud gaming (GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud): Runs any game on any Chromebook, but requires a fast internet connection and a subscription for higher quality.
Manual Linux (Crostini): You can install Steam in the Linux container, but you lose GPU acceleration and performance is much worse. Only for tinkering.

For most users, Borealis is the best option if your device supports it. If not, cloud gaming is a good alternative.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Borealis is still in beta, so you may run into issues. Here are common ones and fixes:

Steam won’t launch: Make sure your ChromeOS is up to date, and try restarting the VM by going to Settings → Apps → Linux → Steam and clicking “Shut down.”
Games stutter: Close other apps, especially Android apps, to free up RAM. Lower in-game graphics settings.
No sound: This is a known bug in some versions. Restarting the VM usually fixes it.
Storage full: Steam games take up space. You can move the VM to an external drive, but it’s easier to uninstall games you don’t play.

If a game doesn’t launch, check ProtonDB for workarounds – sometimes adding a launch option like PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command% helps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Borealis free?

Yes, Borealis itself is free – you just need a Steam account. You don’t pay extra for the VM or the Steam client. Games themselves cost money, of course, unless they’re free-to-play.

Can I play Windows games on Chromebook with Borealis?

Most Windows games work through Proton, but not all. Games with anti-cheat (like Valorant or PUBG) won’t run because the anti-cheat software doesn’t support the VM environment. Check ProtonDB for compatibility.

Will Borealis work on my cheap Chromebook?

Probably not. Borealis requires a 10th-gen Intel Core i3 or better, or AMD Ryzen 3, with at least 8GB RAM. Budget Chromebooks with Celeron processors are not supported.

Can I install mods for games in Borealis?

Yes, you can install mods just like on a normal PC – you can access the game files through the Files app (the Linux folder). However, mods that require a separate launcher (like some Skyrim mods) may not work.

Does Borealis drain battery faster?

Gaming in general drains battery faster than browsing. Expect 2-4 hours of gaming on a full charge, depending on the game and screen brightness. The VM itself adds some overhead, but not significantly.

Is Borealis safe to use?

Yes, it’s an official Google project. The VM is sandboxed, so even if a game has malware, it can’t affect your ChromeOS system. However, be careful about installing unofficial software inside the VM – stick to Steam.

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