File types and external devices that work on Chromebooks

Chromebooks tin utilise the following file types, external devices, and cloud storage systems.

Important: If you use your Chromebook at piece of work or school, some devices or files might not work with your Chromebook. For more than help, contact your ambassador.

File types

  • Microsoft Role files: .physician, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt (read-only), .pptx (read-but). Learn more about how to view and edit Office documents.
  • Media: .3gp, .avi, .mov, .mp4, .m4v, .m4a, .mp3, .mkv, .ogv, .ogm, .ogg, .oga, .webm, .wav
  • Images: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .webp
  • Compressed files: .zip, .rar
  • Other: .txt, .pdf (read-only)

External devices

Compatible accessories for Chromebook

Important: Make sure you take the latest version of Chrome OS. Learn how to update your Chromebook.

Chromebooks can connect to the following accessories:

  • Adapters
  • Docking stations
  • Drawing tablets
  • Ethernet dongles
  • External storage (SD and USB hard drives, thumb drives, USB CD-ROM, and read-only DVD-ROM)
    • To remove a storage device safely, select Eject .
  • Gaming controllers
  • Headsets
  • Huawei mobile dongle
  • Keyboards (wired, wireless and bluetooth)
  • Mice with left push button, right button, and curlicue wheel (wired, wireless and bluetooth)
  • Microphones
  • Monitors with DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, USB-C, or VGA connections
  • MP3 player or mobile phone with a USB cable
  • Printers (Learn how to fix your printer)
  • SD & microSD cards
  • USB-C cables
  • USI Stylus on USI-capable Chromebooks only
  • Wall chargers
  • Webcams

For best results, look for accessories that are certified Works With Chromebook. These accessories have been tested and proven to see Chromebook compatibility standards, to ensure they work seamlessly with your Chromebook.

Codecs

Container Video codec Audio codec
ogv Theora --
webm

VP8

VP9

Opus

Vorbis

mp4 H264 --
MPEG4 --
mov MPEG4 --
H264 --
avi MPEG4 MP3
DIVX MP3
XVID MP3
3gp H264 AAC
MPEG4 AAC

Important: AMR and GSM are no longer supported on Chromebooks.

Filesystems

You can access files on external devices connected to your Chromebook if they use the post-obit types of filesystems:

  • Fat (FAT16, FAT32, exFAT)
  • HFS+ (read-only on journaled HFS+)
  • ISO9660 (read-merely)
  • MTP
  • NTFS
  • UDF (read-just)

Cloud storage

Phones

Troubleshoot bug with file types and external devices

When I effort to open a file, I get an "Unknown file blazon" error message

This error ways that this file type isn't working on your Chromebook at this time.

Instead, attempt saving the file to Google Drive or another web application, then opening it in your browser.

I run across an error: "Sorry, your device is not supported at this time"

Your Chromebook might not support the external storage device you're trying to employ. Brand sure your external storage device'south format is supported.

If your storage device is supported, make certain your Chromebook is using the latest version of Chrome OS.

If your Chromebook is using the latest version, and no updates are available, effort using Google Drive to view the files:

  1. Plug your storage device into another reckoner.
  2. Upload the files from the device to a cloud file system, such as Google Drive.
  3. Open up your Chromebook, then open Google Drive to view the files.

I see an error: "Distressing, your device was not recognized" or "Sorry, at to the lowest degree one partition on your device could not be mounted"

You'll demand to reformat your external storage device earlier yous can use it with your Chromebook. Follow the steps beneath.

Of import: These steps volition erase all your files stored on the storage device. Make sure to back them upward somewhere else before erasing.

  1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher and then Up arrow .
  2. Select Files .
  3. On the left, select the external storage device.
  4. In the window that appears, select Format.

Related resource

  • Open, relieve, or delete files
  • Keep your downloaded files from being deleted
  • Connect Bluetooth devices

Was this helpful?

How can we better it?