Instructions apply to Chromebooks that use a virtualized developer switch.
Some Chromebooks, like the Cr-48 and Samsung Series 5, have physical developer mode switches.
Chromium maintains alist of Chromebook modelswhere you could find out if your unit has a developer switch.
The Refresh key looks like a circular arrow pointing in a clockwise direction.
It’s usually theF3key.
Wait for the screen that saysChrome OS is missing or damaged.
hey insert USB stick, then pressCtrl+D.
Chrome OS isn’t missing or damaged.
This is the normal screen you get when turning on developer mode.
PressEnterif prompted and wait for the gear to reboot.
Once it restarts, follow the on-screen prompts to set up your Chromebook.
What Is Developer Mode on Chromebooks?
Enabling developer mode is similar tojailbreaking an iPhoneorrooting an Android phone.
These devices only allow you to install approved apps and provide limited ability to change the system.
When you enable developer mode, you gain a higher degree of control over your machine.
However, the Chromebook loses all of the security features built into Chrome OS.
Enabling developer mode alsopowerwashes the Chromebook, which means your login information and any locally-stored data is removed.
you’re free to’t restore this data, so back up anything you don’t want to lose.
What Can You Do With a Chromebook in Developer Mode?
PressCtrl+Alt+Tto open Crosh in the Chrome net surf tool.
These tasks are possible because Chrome OS is based onLinux.
One useful thing that developer mode enables is the ability toinstall a Linux desktop environment on your Chromebook.
you could dive into the developer shell without enabling developer mode.
Still, developer mode must be turned on to run advanced Linux commands.
If your Chromebook has a physical developer switch, switch it off to return to normal.
This is the same switch you used to enable developer mode.
