Ultimate Guide to Installing IntelliJ IDEA on Your Chromebook

Unlocking the Power of IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate for Developers

IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate is a comprehensive Integrated Development Environment (IDE) tailored for Java, web, and mobile application developers. This versatile platform supports a plethora of programming languages, including Java, Groovy, Kotlin, and Scala, making it an excellent tool for both enterprise and independent developers alike. If you’re a developer seeking a robust Java IDE for your Chromebook, IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate could be your perfect fit.

In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to install IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate on your Chromebook and get started with your development projects.

Enabling Linux on Your Chromebook

For users with compatible Chromebook devices, activating Linux applications is a straightforward process. To begin, access the Chrome OS settings by clicking on the clock in the bottom-right corner, followed by the gear icon.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Within the settings menu, locate the “Advanced” section and click on the dropdown arrow to reveal further options, including “Developers.”
2. Under the “Developers” section, find the option titled “Linux development environment,” and click on it. Then select the “Turn on” button to kickstart the setup of the Linux LXC container, which is crucial for running Linux applications on Chrome OS.
3. After enabling Linux, return to the Chrome OS dashboard and search for “Terminal.” Open Terminal to access the Linux command-line environment.

To ensure your Linux container is fully updated, enter the following commands in the Terminal:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

The update command refreshes your package sources, while the upgrade command installs any available updates, which may take some time to complete.

Installing IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate on Chrome OS

To seamlessly run IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate on your Chromebook, we recommend using Flatpak as the installation method. Since downloadable DEB packages are unavailable, using Flatpak simplifies the installation process significantly.

Installation Steps:

1. Open the Chrome OS terminal. Search for “Terminal” in the Chrome app menu and select it. Choose the "Penguin" option to access the terminal interface.
2. In the terminal, use the following command to install the Flatpak package:

sudo apt install flatpak

1. Once Flatpak is installed, you’ll need to enable the Flathub app store, a repository that hosts a wide range of applications, including IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate. Execute the following command:

flatpak --user remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

1. With Flathub set up, you can now install IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate. Run this command:

flatpak install flathub com.jetbrains.IntelliJ-IDEA-Ultimate

Upon successful execution of this command, IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate will be installed on your Chromebook. You can access it from the “Linux apps” folder in the Chrome OS app menu.

Getting Started with IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate on Chrome OS

To begin using IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate on your Chromebook, launch it from the Chrome OS app menu. You’ll be greeted by the "IntelliJ IDEA User Agreement." Read through the agreement, then check the box confirming your acceptance before clicking “Continue.”

Next, you will be prompted to configure data sharing. Choose whether to send anonymous statistics to JetBrains by selecting “Send Anonymous Statistics” or opt out by clicking “Don’t Send.”

After deciding on data sharing, the product activation window will appear. If you wish to try IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate for free, click “Start Free 30-Day Trial.” If you already own a license, select “Activate IntelliJ IDEA” and enter your registration details.

Once registered, you are all set to harness the capabilities of IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate on your Chromebook, paving the way for successful application development.

Conclusion

Installing and using IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate on your Chromebook is an accessible and efficient process, particularly when utilizing Flatpak. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be equipped with a powerful IDE that can cater to a wide range of development needs. Happy coding!