How to install FL Studio 20 on a Chromebook in 2024

Installing FL Studio 20 on a Chromebook in 2024

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing FL Studio 20 on a Chromebook in 2024. FL Studio is a powerful digital audio workstation (DAW) that's popular among music producers and composers. While it's primarily designed for Windows, we can use some workarounds to get it running on a Chromebook.

Important Notes Before We Begin

This tutorial is specifically for Chromebooks with an Intel or AMD CPU that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with an ARM64 architecture CPU.

Please note that we'll be installing the trial version of FL Studio. If you own a licensed copy, you should be able to activate it following the same process.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Follow these steps carefully to install FL Studio 20 on your Chromebook:

1. Enable Linux Apps on Your Chromebook

If you haven't already, you'll need to enable Linux apps on your Chromebook. Go to your system settings, click on the Advanced section in the left panel, then click on the Developers section. Turn on the Linux apps option.

2. Prepare Your System

Open a terminal and run the following commands one by one. These commands will set up your system to support the necessary 32-bit architecture and install required dependencies:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
echo "deb https://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bullseye_chrome_os_made_simple.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libjpeg62 libnss-mdns:i386 libglu1-mesa:i386 libxcursor1:i386 libxrandr2:i386 libcapi20-3:i386 libfontconfig1:i386 libgsm1:i386 libldap-2.4-2:i386 libmpg123-0:i386 libopenal1:i386 libosmesa6:i386 libpulse0:i386 libsane:i386 libv4l-0:i386 libxcomposite1:i386 libxinerama1:i386 libxml2:i386 libxslt1.1:i386
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bullseye_chrome_os_made_simple.list

3. Install Crossover

Crossover is a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows applications on Linux. Download Crossover from https://www.codeweavers.com/crossover/

Crossover is a paid application, but you can use it for free during a two-week trial period. If you can't afford the license fee, you can reinstall Linux apps after the trial period expires to reset the trial. However, please note that this will remove all your Linux apps and the Linux folder in your file manager.

4. Download FL Studio 20

Download the FL Studio 20 installer from this link. This is a specially packaged version of FL Studio that's been prepared for installation on Chromebooks.

5. Install FL Studio

Use Crossover to install FL Studio using the downloaded installer. The process should be straightforward, but make sure to follow any on-screen prompts carefully.

Additional Information

FL Studio is a comprehensive digital audio workstation that offers a wide range of features for music production, including MIDI sequencing, audio recording, and virtual instrument support. While running it on a Chromebook might not provide the same level of performance as a dedicated Windows machine, it can be a great way to work on your music projects on the go.

Keep in mind that running FL Studio through Crossover may introduce some limitations or compatibility issues. If you encounter any problems, try adjusting the Crossover settings or consult the Crossover documentation for troubleshooting tips.

Conclusion

Installing FL Studio 20 on a Chromebook opens up new possibilities for music production on these versatile devices. While it may require some technical setup, the ability to use this powerful DAW on a Chromebook can be incredibly valuable for musicians and producers who prefer the Chrome OS ecosystem.

If you have any questions or run into issues during the installation process, please don't hesitate to reach out through a YouTube comment on the tutorial video. We're here to help!

Additional Resources

For more information about Chromebooks and their capabilities, check out these resources:

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