This article will explain how to turn on your developer mode on Chromebook and also what you can do with the developer mode turned on. Chromebooks are very specialized pieces of tech that are perfect for people who aren't into computers or aren't computer literates. It has a simple interface that makes activities like browsing, surfing the web a much easier and fun task. It is also security wise one of the most secure computers out there. Google permission is needed for every app installed on it so that's why it is really secure. It sure has a lot of easy to use features but these features limit the functionality of the Chromebook. If you want to carry out complex tasks, you'll have to turn on the Developer mode on your Chromebook.

This step by step guide will help you through it but first, we will explain more about the Developer mode, how it is used and why it is important to the Chromebook.

Developer Mode on Chrome OS

To gain increased access on your Chromebook, the Developer Mode is the way to go. If you have ever rooted your android device before then it is similar to turning on your Developer Mode on Chrome.

As in the case of android losing protecting after rooting, the security features that the Chromebook so attractive will not be available immediately you turn the Developer Mode on. You will get increased capabilities but less security. A trade off of some sort.

You have learned that you will lose Google Protection when you turn on the Developer if you still want to continue, then here are the steps to turning it on.

Steps To Turning On Chrome OS Developer Mode on Chromebook

Step 1
The first thing to know is that you will not need to download or install anything at all. If you follow these steps, it will be easy. To turn it on, you will have to press some important keys when turning on your Chromebook. To put it in a simpler form, turn off your Chromebook, press these specific keys listed below before turning it back on.

Step 2
Press and hold the ESC+refresh buttons before you turn on the Chromebook.

Turn on your Chromebook with the power key while still holding on to the ESC+refresh buttons.

The screen after a few minutes will tell you that the Chrome OS is damaged or missing. Don't be alarmed, things are still going according to plan. Now press the Ctrl+D buttons and then wait for a prompting.

When the prompting appears, press the Enter key and wait for your Chromebook to reboot itself.

Then follow the Chromebook instructions to set up your Chromebook back up again.

Note: It is important to note that these instructions only work on virtualized developer switches. 

Make sure your Chromebook is using those before you try these instructions.

Some Tasks you can achieve when you turn on your Developer Mode

You can install a Linux desktop environment while still holding on to your original Chrome interface. Switching from one interface to the other is easy and it enables you to do the hard tasks with Linux and the simpler issues with your normal Chrome interface.

You can also connect with Secure Shell servers or ping IP addresses.

How to Turn off the Developer Mode on your Chromebook

Our decision to turn on the Developer Mode on Chromebook is not irreversible. We can always turn it back off as easily as we turned it on.

If you feel you want your Chromebook back the way it was when you bought it, then follow these simple instructions to turn off your developer mode.

Step 1
First, back up all of your data because if you turn the developer mode off, it will clear your locally stored files.

Turn your Chromebook off, then turn it back on.

When you turn it on, a message reading "OS Verification is Off" will appear.

Step 2

Press the space bar after the message appears, wait for your Chromebook to prompt you about setting up your new Chromebook settings. After that, your Chromebook is back to its store-bought state and the security and simpler interface is in place once more.

Note: There are a few problems that always accompanies turning on your developer mode. Here's a few of them.

A Few Issues That Could Occur When You Turn On Your Developer Mode

Remember that in gaining increased functionality, you lost security. Your device will be susceptible to issues that would have not affected your Chromebook if it was still secured.

Google definitely does not support this activity so when you turn on your Developer Mode, it may affect your warranty guarantee.

Turning off or turning on your Developer mode may lead to loss of data on your hard drive. When you turn on your developer mode, it automatically wipes your hard drive. It is just as easy to turn the developer mode off by mistake, all you have to do is press the space bar key and voilà you've cleared your hard drive the second time.

Turning on your developer mode can slow your device down. Booting time may be slow.

Conclusion

There are advantages and serious disadvantages to turning your developer mode on. If you feel the advantages outweigh costs such as less security, susceptibility to attacks, loss of data, then turn it on. You will have increased functionality and your Chromebook will be able to do tasks that it never before could. Be careful though, you will have to remember that it is on developer mode at all times so as not to mess with it and reboot your system back again to its original format. I hope this article has helped you in turning on your developer mode.