Chromebooks are fantastic devices.

Yet, their capabilities are very limited outside the web app and Google apps.

Chances are that you might want to run Linux on your Chromebook for extra functionality.

a Chromebook switched on and placed on a reflective surface

you might do this by turning on the developer mode on your Chromebook.

Once you get a grasp of them, the process of doing it is fairly easy.

HoldEsc + Refresh, and then hit thePowerbutton.

Keys on the Chromebook to enable developer mode

Let go of theEscapeandRefreshkeys once it powers on.

As soon as you do that, Chromebook will restart and present a screen that saysOS verification is OFF.

ChromeOS will then display a message for 30 seconds about transitioning the system to developer mode.

Chrome OS showing error and asking to insert an external recovery storage device

Your Chromebook will automatically proceed to turn on the developer mode.

This step will take a few minutes.

Once done, the Chromebook will restart into developer mode.

Chrome OS showing an option to turn off OS verification to turn on deeveloper mode

Now, it’s possible for you to add your Google account.

Disable Developer Mode on a Chromebook

Disabling developer mode on a Chromebook is easy.

The Chromebook will disable developer mode and turn on its OS-verified status.

Chrome OS showing error that OS verification is off and giving an option to re-enable it

It will also wipe your existing data.

Disabling developer mode is easy on a Chromebook, and it only takes a couple of keys.

If data is not synced to the cloud, it is a big risk.

Chrome OS transitioning into developer mode and clearing local data

Anyone with access to your Chromebook can press theSpacekey followed byEnterto disable developer mode and wipe all your data.

you’re free to do this using the left/right arrow keys.

This avoids the possibility of someone misreading the instructions when in a hurry.

Chrome OS preparing system for developer mode

Even then, it is advisable not to keep any local-only data on the Chromebook.

There are risks due to the soldered storage of the Chromebook.

In the event of a hardware failure, extracting data out of the chip is very difficult.

Chrome OS showing that OS verification is off and re-enabling it will turn off developer mode

Considering this, you should sync all your data to an external storage gadget.

A USB hard disk or an SD card, for instance.

The data present on these external devices is neither encrypted nor password protected by ChromeOS.

Chrome OS asking for confirmation to turn on OS verification

So safeguarding them from theft is just as important.

ChromeOS does not sync Linux data to the cloud, and that puts the data at risk.

Even without developer mode, it is too easy to wipe data on Chromebooks.

Chrome OS showing different language on start-up

If someone accidentally switches back to normal mode, it will wipe all the accounts on the rig.

You need plenty of time to add all the accounts again and sync the data.

SD Card being inserted into the Chromebook as a recovery storage device