Can I run Zwift cycling with a chromebook?

General Discussion
61

Hello Nick

  1. First try google play, but if Zwift was listed, I guess you would not be asking your question.
  2. If you are coumputer savvy, you could try to enable linux, install lutris and you could try to run zwift with lutris. Since neither lutris nor winehq runs on my Acer Chromebook 11 I cannot guarantee the result, but in theory it could be possible.
  3. Easiest option - and it is cheating, I know, but works for me. I have a cheap Huawei Cubot C30 and Zwift runs pretty much on any phone nowadays, so I just start it on my phone, plug it to my Chromebook via usb cable and cast it to my chromebrowser in full window mode with Vysor for Chrome browser on my Chromebook. I cannot see that much difference between running Zwift inside my computer and from outside :-). You just need to enable developer options and usb debugging on your phone which is a very easy thing to do, simply google it, install Vysor free version from google play on your phone and from their site for chrome on your chromebook. Graphics is a bit downgraded for the free version of Vysor, the full version, I think, upgrades the resolution and lets you connect simply by beeing on the same wifi with both devices. I have not bought it though. They only have a 2,5 USD per month option which I do not like. I mostly run Zwift on my WIndows machine so I do not need the chromeos - phone option that much. I simply tried to figure out how to bring zwift to a fitness center in which I run on a “stupid” treadmill from time to time (I have a stryd device on my shoe). Phone screen is too small. You might find better alternatives to Vysor. I have not checked, there are many similar programs. Some of them cast over wifi. The sound comes from the phone. But rather paradoxically, the phone has better sound then my Chromebook :-).
62

This guide enabled me to turn on Location services for Android apps on a Chromebook. It worked for me on my 2020 Lenovo Duet Chromebook.

asapguide dot com/turn-on-off-location-service-chromebook

I’m unable to post links but you should be able to figure out where to find the info.

NaterTots

63

Yes you can, but you need to install it not from google play, you need to download the Zwift.apk file first from apkpure website, the file will be a .apkx therefore you need to download apkpure app from your google play to open this file.

64

I know this is an old post but I thought it was worth it to note that I’ve successfully (by successful I mean I did my first ride) run Zwift on a Chromebook. The Chromebook is the Lenovo IP 5–refurbished with i3 processor, and was originally sold as a “gaming” Chromebook. It’s still available on ebay.

You have to download the xapk from APKPure and rename it to a .zip extension in Linux (crostini) terminal. Unzip the file. Then use ADB to install the apk file and ADB PUSH command to put the OBB folder in the right directory (/storage/emulated/0/Android/obb).

I guess the APKPure app could potentially do all of this for you, but I did not want to install more bloatware from APKPure.

The app is not too shabby on the chromebook–I had the play controllers working, virtual shifting working and my heart rate monitor working.

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65

:+1: Were you able to pair via Bluetooth directly to the Chromebook or did you have to use the Companion app for pairing?

66

No companion app was used, I paired directly to the Chromebook. I was fully expecting Bluetooth to crap out on me because other apps that I sideloaded with ADB (Morpheus app for Android) did not work very well or dropped connection. The Play controller worked well too–no dropped shifts with virtual shifting. My Zwift hub is the older one and it might be different with newer trainers with 10 Hz race mode, so YMMV. But I was pleasantly surprised it worked for my ride. I only did a 5 mile ride and will see if I will be able to do a little longer tomorrow.

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