How to install Fiji on a Chromebook

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Today, we'll guide you through the process of installing Fiji on your Chromebook. Fiji is a powerful image processing package based on ImageJ, widely used in scientific research and image analysis. This tutorial is designed to complement our video guide, providing detailed written instructions for each step.

System Requirements

Before we begin, please note that this tutorial is specifically for Chromebooks with an Intel or AMD CPU that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with an ARM64 architecture CPU. If you're unsure about your Chromebook's specifications, you can check our list of all Chromebooks with Linux Apps (Crostini) support.

Enabling Linux Apps

If you haven't already enabled Linux apps on your Chromebook, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your Chromebook's System Settings
  2. Click on the "About Chrome OS" section on the left panel
  3. Under the Developer section, choose to set up Linux
  4. Follow the prompts to turn on Linux

Installation Process

Now that Linux apps are enabled, we'll use a series of commands in the terminal to install Fiji. Here are the steps:

  1. Open the terminal from your app menu
  2. Copy and paste each command, pressing Enter after each one

Here are the commands you'll need to run:

1) sudo apt update
2) sudo apt install flatpak
3) sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
4) wget https://github.com/ximion/fiji-builds/releases/download/x-test/Fiji.flatpak
5) sudo flatpak install Fiji.flatpak
6) sudo chown root:root /usr/bin/bwrap && sudo chmod u+s /usr/bin/bwrap
7) rm Fiji.flatpak

Let's break down what each command does:

  • Command 1 updates your Linux app repositories
  • Command 2 installs Flatpak, a utility for software deployment and package management
  • Command 3 adds the official Flathub repository to your system
  • Command 4 downloads the Fiji Flatpak installer
  • Command 5 installs Fiji using the downloaded Flatpak
  • Command 6 sets the necessary permissions for launching the application
  • Command 7 removes the installer file to save space

Launching Fiji

Once you've completed these steps, Fiji should be installed on your Chromebook. You can now launch it from your app menu like any other application.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, double-check that you've entered each command correctly. Some common issues include typos in commands or not waiting for one command to complete before entering the next. If you're still having trouble, feel free to ask for help in the comments section of our YouTube video.

Additional Resources

To learn more about Fiji and its capabilities, you can visit the official Fiji website. For those interested in the technical details of the Flatpak build we're using, check out the GitHub repository.

We've also prepared a Google Doc with additional information that you might find helpful during this tutorial.

Conclusion

Installing Fiji on your Chromebook opens up a world of powerful image processing capabilities. Whether you're a scientist, researcher, or just someone interested in image analysis, Fiji provides a robust set of tools to work with. We hope this guide has been helpful in getting you set up. Happy image processing!

If you're in the market for a new Chromebook, don't forget to check out our Chromebook comparison and Buyers Guide to find the best device for your needs.

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