Google has announced plans to combine its ChromeOS and Android operating systems into a single platform.
President of Google Android ecosystem Sameer Samat confirmed the move in an interview with TechRadar, stating, “We’re going to be combining Chrome OS and Android into a single platform.”
The decision follows months of speculation, including a November 2024 report from Android Authority that Google was working to integrate ChromeOS into Android, likely to better compete with Apple’s iPad.
Google has already taken steps in this direction, announcing in June 2024 that ChromeOS would be developed using “large portions of the Android stack.” Currently, Chromebooks can run many Android apps, while Android itself is gaining ChromeOS-like features, such as a desktop mode, easily resizable windows, and improved external display support.
The merger aims to streamline development and enhance functionality, particularly for tablets, where Google has struggled to match Apple’s iPadOS.
While no official timeline has been provided, the consolidation signals Google’s commitment to creating a more unified ecosystem to better compete with Apple’s ecosystem.