In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing the Betacraft Launcher on your Chromebook. Betacraft is a custom Minecraft launcher that allows you to play older versions of the game, including beta and alpha releases. This can be a great way to experience Minecraft's history or to play on servers that use older versions of the game.

System Requirements

Before we begin, it's important to note that this tutorial is specifically for Chromebooks with an Intel or AMD CPU that support Linux Apps (Crostini). Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with an ARM64 architecture CPU.

Enabling Linux Apps

If you haven't already enabled Linux apps on your Chromebook, you'll need to do so first. Here's how:

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 can proceed with installing the Betacraft Launcher. We'll need to run several commands in a terminal. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Add the necessary repository

sudo echo "deb https://deb.debian.org/debian sid main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/chrome_os_made_simple_java8.list

This command adds a repository that contains Java 8, which is required by the Betacraft Launcher.

2. Update the repositories

sudo apt update

This ensures your system has the most up-to-date information about available packages.

3. Install Java 8

sudo apt install openjdk-8-jdk

This installs the Java Development Kit version 8, which is necessary to run the Betacraft Launcher.

4. Remove the temporary repository

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/chrome_os_made_simple_java8.list

This step is important for maintaining a clean system and preventing potential conflicts with future updates.

5. Download the Betacraft Launcher

wget https://github.com/betacraftuk/betacraft-launcher/releases/download/1.09_17-rc2/launcher-1.09_17-rc2.jar

This command downloads the Betacraft Launcher directly from its GitHub repository.

6. Launch the Betacraft Launcher

java -jar launcher-1.09_17-rc2.jar

You'll need to use this command each time you want to start the Betacraft Launcher.

Additional Resources

For a visual guide of this process, please refer to the video tutorial below:

We've also prepared a Google Doc with all the commands used in this tutorial for easy reference.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are a few things to try:

• Make sure your Chromebook's software is up to date
• Ensure you have sufficient storage space available
• If a command fails, try running it again
• If Java installation fails, try rebooting your Chromebook and attempting the process again

Conclusion

Installing the Betacraft Launcher on your Chromebook opens up a world of Minecraft nostalgia and possibilities. Whether you're looking to relive the early days of the game or join servers running classic versions, this launcher provides a seamless way to do so.

For more information about the Betacraft Launcher, visit their official website.

If you're interested in exploring more about Chromebooks and their capabilities, check out our Chromebook comparison and Buyers Guide.

We hope this guide has been helpful. Happy crafting!