Last update on 2024-07-16 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.

Apple users usually want every device they possess to be Apple so that they can connect with ease and access all their files without worry.

Recently, though, Chromebooks gained the ability to connect with Apple’s services too. Let’s check how that works.

Is Chromebook compatible with Apple?

Incredibly, yes. As soon as Chromebooks hit the market, they didn’t have much appeal, but in 2021 they are incredible machines with plenty of support. Right now, some functions allow you to send files from your Chromebook to your iPhone.

Of course, compatibility isn’t full, so you don’t get the level of integration you would get by using only Google apps or only Apple apps.

However, there is a (more than one, actually) bridge between the two systems.

Also read 3 Popular Mini Projectors For iPhone.

How to sync iPhone and a Chromebook?

There is more than one way to make your files available from one device to the other. The two main ways we will explore in this section are iCloud and Google+ Photos.

Syncing with iCloud

iCloud is known to be Apple’s cloud storage service. With it, you can upload and access your files from any mobile device with iOS 5 or newer, as well as Apple computers with Mac OS X Lion or newer. At least this is the most common thing to do.

If you are an iPhone user, this already is a known fact. Now, Chrome OS users (and even Windows users) might be surprised knowing that their machines can also use iCloud.

If you got an iPhone and a Chromebook, you can easily upload all your important files (pictures, videos, Docx, spreadsheets, etc.) to the cloud storage and access them whenever you want.

In case you don’t have an Apple device already and plan to get one, it is crucial to know that iCloud is not free. After all, cloud storage is a very necessary tech nowadays since people keep making more and more data all the time. Here are iCloud prices for the USA:

• 50 GB: USD 0,99
• 200 GB: USD 2,99
• 2 TB: USD 9,99

In case you don’t live in the USA, you can check iCloud’s prices here. If your currency is devaluated, you might find out that the price for your country isn’t a direct conversion of the dollar price.

Google+ Photos

In case all you need to sync is pictures, Google+ Photos should work well for you.

Google has added a Google+ photo syncing feature to Chrome which now allows you to sync your iPhone to your Chromebook.

First, download the Google Drive app from the Apple App Store. If you are new to the iPhone, the App Store is the native blue app icon with an “A” in a circle. Here is the process step by step:

• In the App Store, use the magnifying glass to search for “Google Drive” and the app you want will be the first result.
• Just tap the icon of dots on the bottom left hand of your screen and navigate to Google+ Photos.
• Your Chromebook should recognize your iPhone and allow you to upload all the images on your Photo app to your Google+ account.
• You can then download the images to your Chromebook after the upload is complete.

The same process should work the other way around in case you want to send photos from your iPhone to your Chromebook.

See Printers For Samsung Chromebook.

Can you text from Chromebook if you have an iPhone?

Integration between Chrome OS and iOS goes beyond sharing files. WhatsApp and Telegram users are already wont to answer the messages they get on the phone through any PC. Now the same is possible if you have an iPhone.

iMessage used to be exclusive for Apple products. That is no longer true, while we don’t expect that you would use it unless you have an Apple device.

Different from most applications you use on a Chrome OS, you won’t download iMessage from the Play Store.

Instead, you need to get it as an extension on your Google Chrome browser.

How to control an iPhone from Chromebook?

Nowadays it is easy to control one device from another one if you have a stable internet connection. There are plenty of methods to do that depending on the OS of the devices.

Let’s check the top two methods that work to connect iPhone to a Chromebook.

Mirroring360

Controlling one device from another is called “mirroring”, thus the name of this app. Mirroring360 is one of the top used apps to control any phone with the use of a computer. All you have to do is:

• Download and install the app on your Chromebook
• Do the same on your iPhone
• Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
• Start the app on your Chromebook
• On your iPhone, go to Control Center, then Screen Mirroring, and choose your Chromebook. Mirroring should begin.

AirServer

AirServer isn’t only well suited for mirroring iPhones and Chromebooks, but it actually works for a plentitude of devices with different operating systems (Windows, Android, and so on).

This is how you do to mirror your iPhone on the screen of your Chromebook with AirServer:

• Download AirServer on your Chromebook
• Again, make sure your iPhone and Chromebook are using the same network
• Start the app on your Chromebook
• On the app, you will find a “show QR” option. Click on it
• Scan the QR code with your iPhone

3 Popular Chromebooks for iPhone users

iPhones are excellent smartphones, meaning that you need an excellent computer to go along.

Since you are looking for a Chromebook instead of a Mac, we chose three great Chrome OS devices that you can use happily.

Acer Chromebook Spin 713

Product currently unavailable.

Acer uses great hardware to put their laptops together. This includes their line of Chromebooks, as you will find out with Spin 713.

The “spin” on its name means that you can use it as a tablet, ignoring the keyboard and touching directly on the screen to draw, paint, or simply use apps that don’t require you to type.

This model has a great battery life, meaning you can take it to work and college without having to charge it all the time.

Specs:

• Intel Core i5-10210U 1.6 GHz
• 8GB DDR4
• 128GB SSD
• UHD Graphics
• 13,5-inch, 2256 x 1504 pixels
• IPS panel tech
• 60Hz refresh rate
• 3.02 lbs
• Long battery life

Pros:

• Sleek and sturdy
• SSD instead of eMMC storage
• Intel Core processor instead of a knock-off

Cons:

• A bit overweight considering display size
• Shallow keyboard

What do the reviews say?

Reviews about this Chromebook are pretty positive, as people seem to enjoy the speed delivered by the hardware along with Chrome OS.

Google Pixelbook Go

Last update on 2024-07-16 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.

Google’s Pixebool series presents some of the best Chromebooks you can find. The Go models are a bit smaller with less powerful hardware but are cheaper and best for people that just need a fast device to take anywhere.

Since you are looking for a computer that should work in the place of a Macbook, there is no error if you go with Pixelbook. Its RAM and processor will surely do the job.

While most Chromebooks can only be used for light applications to work, study, and stream shows (Prime Video, Netflix, etc.), Pixelbook offers you the power to do more than that.

Specs:

• Intel Core i5-8200Y
• 8GB
• 128GB SSD
• 13.3-inch, 1080p touch screen
• 12.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• 2.3 pounds

Pros:

• Amazing display
• The battery has long duration
• Very quiet while you use it

Cons:

• Few ports

What do the reviews say?

Many people who never used Chrome OS seem to love Google’s attempt at a laptop.

Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630

Last update on 2024-07-16 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.

Lenovo is one of the perfect brands when it comes to making great devices for people who don’t need the most powerful hardware. After all, this is what Chromebooks are about: they run a fast OS on low specs.

Yoga C630 is a Chromebook above the average because of its 4K display. Not only that, but it comes with a 128GB SSD to help you do all your work and studying without freezes here and there.

Specs:

• Intel Core i5-8250U
• 8GB
• 128GB SSD
• 15.6-inch, 3840 x 2160
• 14.2 x 9.8 x 0.7 inches
• 4.1 pounds

Pros

• Detailed 4K touch screen
• Flexible aluminum chassis
• Speedy performance

Cons

• Subpar battery life on the 4K model

What do the reviews say?

Apple users say this is a great replacement for a Macbook. On the other hand, some customers advise that it is a fragile machine, so you have to take great care of it.

How to switch from Mac to Chromebook?

The first thing you need to do is create a Google account and download Google’s Backup and Sync app for macOS. That way you can save all the files you have on your Mac and get them all back on the new device.

All the files will be available on Google Drive when you first log into your new Chromebook.

Alternatively, if you have access to iCloud, you can upload your files to the service and get them back on the Chromebook. We already commented on the fact that you can access iCloud on non-Apple devices.

Final Thoughts

iPhone users interested in using Chromebooks don’t need to worry about accessibility and connectivity. They will still be able to use some Apple services on the Chrome OS. In this article, we recommended some computers which might satisfy even the most rigorous Apple fan.