Google Chrome has long supported extensions, little apps that help you to do things like insert login information or save things to your favorite read-it-later service. Now Google is taking things a step further.
The App Runtime for Chrome (ARC) will let you run Android apps in Chrome. ARC was previously available only to select Android developers, but now it’s open to all. To get the process going, you need to download the ARC Welder tool from the Chrome Web Store, then you can load up your APK and select options like whether the app should run in landscape or portrait orientation, whether it’s meant to run on a tablet or phone form factor, and whether or not it’s got clipboard access. Google suggests using a Tablet or Maximized form factor and a landscape orientation, and it also wants devs to ensure that apps work for touch and non-touch hardware.
Google’s ARC will give Chrome users more apps to tinker with, whether they’re using Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux or if they’re on straight-up Chrome OS. While it’s unlikely that every Android app is going to work smoothly on ARC since they’re designed for use on phones and tablets, more basic apps and games should play nicely with Chrome and your computer.
Have you tried using an Android app on Chrome with ARC?