Get Artful! Join your Cricut to your Chromebook!
Android Apps make the unattainable attainable (like connecting a Cricut chopping machine to a Chromebook)
Just a few weeks in the past I needed to work on a undertaking that required a vinyl cutter (examine my Instagram account for some examples!).
My sister in legislation does all types of artful issues with a Cricut chopping machine, so I began to analysis getting one, benefiting from some nice black-friday gross sales.
The issue: I solely use a Chromebook and it didn’t appear to be the Cricut would work with ChromeOS. Not less than that’s what it mentioned on their web site:
Vital: Design Area is not suitable with Chromebooks, or Unix/Linux Computer systems.
Android Apps: the answer I used to be on the lookout for
Design Area, the software program used to speak with the Cricut cutter, is just out there for Mac and PC. It does, nowever have an Android App.
I rapidly opened up the Google Play Retailer on my Chromebook to see if I might obtain the Design Area Android App.
Observe: simply because an Android app exisists, doesn’t imply it is going to be suitable along with your Chromebook. At all times double examine to see in the event you can set up it in your Chromebook.
Positive sufficient, the app was suitable!
Once more, all the articles and movies I watched mentioned that I wouldn’t be capable of join a Cricut cutter to my Chromebook, however I ignored them and acquired one anyway!
Observe: I purchased the Cricut Air 2 (in black, in fact), however any Cricut mannequin ought to work simply tremendous along with your Chromebook.
I’ve by no means used the desktop model of Design Area, however I’m fairly certain that the Android app is simplified.
In case you are a veteran Cricut person, you would possibly discover the Android app restrictive compared with the desktop model. For somebody like me, who has by no means used the “common” model, it really works nice and does every little thing I want it to do!
I’ve linked my Cricut to multple Chromebooks together with the HP x360 and the Samsung Chromebook Professional. Whereas they each work effectively, any Android-compatible Chromebook ought to work tremendous.
Tip: To determine in case your chromebook is Android-compatible, examine this record.
How I linked my Chromebook to a Cricut Slicing Machine
After a brief 2-day wait (thanks Amazon!) I pulled my Cricut out of the packaging and got down to join it to my Chromebook.
Listed here are the precise steps I adopted to attach my Cricut to my Chromebook:
1. Obtain the Design Area app from the Google Play retailer.
2. Open the app and sign up / create an account
Observe: the primary time I opened the app it took some time to load. Let it sit for a couple of minutes if it doesn’t present up straight away.
Tip: The inexperienced button within the picture beneath says “machine arrange”, however I don’t advocate utilizing it.” Click on “sign up” and utilizing your current account or creating a brand new one. We’ll join your machine within the subsequent step.
3. Flip in your Cricut cutter
The cutter should be on to ensure that it to broadcast a Bluetooth sign in your Chromebook to search out.
4. Open the system launcher in your chromebook (i.e. click on the time) and choose Bluetooth.
5. Your Cricut cutter ought to seem within the Bluetooth menu. Choose it to attach it to your machine.
Tip: The primary time you join your Cricut cutter to your Chromebook you may be prompted to enter a PIN code. The default code is 0000. Except you’ve gotten modified it, that ought to work!
6. Put together a undertaking in Design Area.
Once you get to the “make” display, you may be prompted to pick out your Cricut (it ought to already be linked), and now you might be prepared to chop!
Android Apps make your Chromebook higher!
If I’ve the choice, I would favor to make use of an internet software over a cell app.
Net apps are quicker, smoother, and extra dependable on a Chromebook than Android Functions.
That being mentioned, having the choice to dip into the Google Play retailer to entry instruments that DON’T have a full featured internet app is a pleasant possibility!
So sure, you CAN join your Cricut chopping machine to a Chromebook because of the Design Area Android app!
FTC Disclaimer: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks.
