Android Apps make the impossible possible (like connecting a Cricut cutting machine to a Chromebook)
A few weeks ago I wanted to work on a project that required a vinyl cutter (check my Instagram account for some examples!).
My sister in law does all kinds of crafty things with a Cricut cutting machine, so I started to research getting one, taking advantage of some great black-friday sales.
The problem: I only use a Chromebook and it didn’t look like the Cricut would work with ChromeOS. At least that’s what it said on their website:
Important: Design Space is not compatible with Chromebooks, or Unix/Linux Computers.
Android Apps: the solution I was looking for
Design Space, the software used to communicate with the Cricut cutter, is only available for Mac and PC. It does, nowever have an Android App.
I quickly opened up the Google Play Store on my Chromebook to see if I could download the Design Space Android App.
Note: just because an Android app exisists, doesn’t mean it will be compatible with your Chromebook. Always double check to see if you can install it on your Chromebook.
Sure enough, the app was compatible!
Again, all of the articles and videos I watched said that I wouldn’t be able to connect a Cricut cutter to my Chromebook, but I ignored them and bought one anyway!
Note: I bought the Cricut Air 2 (in black, of course), but any Cricut model should work just fine with your Chromebook.
I’ve never used the desktop version of Design Space, but I’m pretty sure that the Android app is simplified.
If you are a veteran Cricut user, you might find the Android app restrictive when compared with the desktop version. For someone like me, who has never used the “regular” version, it works great and does everything I need it to do!
I have connected my Cricut to multple Chromebooks including the HP x360 and the Samsung Chromebook Pro. While they both work well, any Android-compatible Chromebook should work fine.
Tip: To figure out if your chromebook is Android-compatible, check this list.Â
How I connected my Chromebook to a Cricut Cutting Machine
After a short 2-day wait (thanks Amazon!) I pulled my Cricut out of the packaging and set out to connect it to my Chromebook.
Here are the specific steps I followed to connect my Cricut to my Chromebook:
1. Download the Design Space app from the Google Play store.
2. Open the app and sign in / create an account
Note: the first time I opened the app it took a while to load. Let it sit for a few minutes if it doesn’t show up right away.Â
Tip: The green button in the image below says “machine set up”, but I don’t recommend using it.” Click “sign in” and using your existing account or creating a new one. We’ll connect your device in the next step.Â
3. Turn on your Cricut cutter
The cutter must be on in order for it to broadcast a Bluetooth signal for your Chromebook to find.
4. Open the system launcher on your chromebook (i.e. click the time) and select Bluetooth.
5. Your Cricut cutter should appear in the Bluetooth menu. Select it to connect it to your device.
Tip: The first time you connect your Cricut cutter to your Chromebook you will be prompted to enter a PIN code. The default code is 0000. Unless you have changed it, that should work!
6. Prepare a project in Design Space.
When you get to the “make” screen, you will be prompted to select your Cricut (it should already be connected), and now you are ready to cut!
Android Apps make your Chromebook better!
If I have the option, I would prefer to use a web application over a mobile app.
Web apps are faster, smoother, and more reliable on a Chromebook than Android Applications.
That being said, having the option to dip into the Google Play store to access tools that DON’T have a full featured web app is a nice option!
So yes, you CAN connect your Cricut cutting machine to a Chromebook thanks to the Design Space Android app!
FTC Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.Â
Do you have Chromebooks in your Classroom?
Download a free chapter of my book, The Chromebook Classroom!
Essential Resources
Essential Resources
Essential Resources
71 comments. Leave new
I had been working on this with my FACS teacher a while back, and although we can get this app working on the Chromebook if we’ve logged into the Chromebook using our personal Google account (@gmail), we cannot do this when we are logged into our Chromebooks using our school domain account. The app does not recognize our @schooldomain.org accout as a Google account (it doesn’t give us an option to use another account), therefore does not allow us to go any further. I’ve contacted Cricut support and the only answer they gave was they didn’t support Chromebooks. I don’t think they understood that the only hitch was Cricut not recognizing our school Google domain as a Google account!
Unless your district has enabled access to Google Play and approved the Design Space Android app, you won’t be able to use it with your School Chromebooks.
I primarily use Android Apps with a personal Gmail account.
Your best option is probably to talk with your IT department about letting you sign in to specific school-owned Chromebooks using a Gmail account so that you can connect your Cricut. This will be easier than asking them to set up Google Play for your entire school.
My District is encountering the same issue, We have access to the managed play store, and the app has been approved but we get the error “Authentication required.” ” You need to sign in with your Google account.” This only happens when using a district account.
Google play is enabled in our district but there is some policy that is causing an error when using a gsuite account. It says you must login, but will not allow you to login to your cricut account. I have tried many policy changes and still have not figured it out.
I downloaded Cricut to my crombook 360 but it won’t cut it it show everything but it go to the cut process
I believe you need to be connected to your Cricut via Bluetooth before you can get to the cut screen.
i downloaded it to my chromebook 360 and cant figure out why in the cricut design space app it doesnt show the option for templates for shirts? Any ideas?
This worked for me but I don’t see the ability to use my cricut Access subscription. Do you know how?
Have you figured out how to scroll down on the canvas when designing on your Chromebook? I think because it’s a mobile application it’s expecting a touch screen by my Chromebook obviously doesn’t do that.
Yes, Create Space is a bit funky on a Chromebook.
I have issues scrolling and moving objects around the canvas.
Most of the time I have to manually resize objects using the size button rather than pinching to resize.
I have a chromebook and I’m having extreme trouble unzipping fonts and files and transferring them to the cricut design app
I haven’t explored it much but I just downloaded the app “fontasy” on my chromebook in google play and you can essentially find a font, type out your words, and save it as an image. It saves as a png file, you can then upload the image in to the cricut app. You will have to remove the white background but when I just tried it the font was nice and crisp (it didn’t have wonky jagged edged lines like some uploaded files)
Obviously not the same freedom as downloading the font but is as close as I’ve gotten so far. Hope this helps!
It’s not completely compatible.
You can only do single color designs.
No other options pops up. That tool that’s supposed to appear on the right hand of the screen is not available. I’ve searched & searches. If there’s some sort of secret you know, please share.
Yes, there are many limitations. The mobile version of Create Space does not have all of the features of the full desktop application.
i don’t have the option for templates is it bc its a chromebook? Ive tried to update my version of everything and hoping that would work..I’m assuming that option isnt compatiable on the chromebook?
You are correct. The Android version of Design Space is missing some of the features available on the desktop app.
I have a Chromebook and have only used the Android app. You can use more then one color on a design. You highlight the object and click edit and you and you can change the color there. I wish I could use personalized fonts or free ones but still haven’t figured that out.
I just got my Cricut Maker and i have a chromebook. When i download a picture to cut it makes me pick a color and then fills in all my holes. What am i doing wrong?
If you have a white background you will need to use the erase tool to cut out the design.
I just bought a new Asus Chromebook and a pre-owned Cricut Exp Air2. I did download the app through the store. I can work in Design Space with no problems. I can see the machine in my bluetooth, but it will not pair. It will tell me Unknown Error. I also tried on my Android cell phone. It will not connect. I’m using the usb cord that came with the machine. Is the problem the usb cord and I need to purchase the wireless Cricut connector? So frustrated right now.
I connected my Cricut using Bluetooth. I don’t use the USB cable.
I have had intermittent connection issues between the Cricut and the Chromebook.
Sometimes it connects right away and sometimes I have to fiddle with it to get it to work. Restarting the Chromebook is usually my first trick.
I have the most success connecting the Cricut via Bluetooth before I open Design Space. If I can get it to connect directly to the CB, Design Space usually recognizes it.
I can get my Critcut Explorer 2 to connect but within 2 seconds it disconnects by itself. Does the same thing with my phone.
Yep, it can be cranky. I frequently have to restart my Cricut and Chromebook a few times before it will connect.
I have a Chromebook and have Downloaded design space but it shows up very small in my laptop screen. Am I able to enlarge full screen the design space?
Using the full-screen button doesn’t work. I have to manually stretch the window to **almost** full screen.
I click on bluetooth on my Chromebook but it doesn’t seem to find my Cricut. It just keeps searching.
If restarting doesn’t work, I do all the work on my Chromebook then save it. I then go to my iphone, where I also installed the app, and I print it from there instead.
i just got my cricut air 2 and have a chromebook it will not let me make my cut it says print and cut is not supported with andriods
Where are you seeing that error message?
Chromebooks are NOT officially supported, but you can get it to work with a little coaxing.
They are referring to using the Android app on the Chromebook. The error message occurs when you attempt to use a “Print and Cut” project with the Android app. Currently “Print and Cut” is only available on Windows, Mac and iOS, which means android is the ONLY Critcut supported platform that does not support this crucial feature. There is also no reference on their site on whether or not they plan to add it. Without “Print and Cut”, the Android option on Chromebook is useless to a lot of us, as many projects use “Print and Cut”. It is very irritating that companies, like Circut, see Android as an afterthought and only put their efforts into iOS.
locally, I have a Chromebook 2-1 (two in one), and I just flip the tablet from landscape to portrait, then automatically, fills in the screen. I am happy to find out I don’t have to get rid of my Chromebook , now I can go ahead and start my designs, yay!
Thanks for this 🙂 I’m literally on the verge of pressing the ‘buy’ button for the Cricut Explore Air 2 (whilst on my Chromebook) but I’ve downloaded the Design Space for a mess around before doing so and it too says that print and cut isn’t supported. You say you’re able to do it with a little fiddling around – how so? Don’t want to fork out £250 for me not to be able to use it… or worse – have to buy a different laptop! Thanks 🙂
Chromebooks are not officially supported, but I was able to get the Design Space android app to work on my Chromebook.
The post you are commenting on explains how I was able to use Chromebook and Cricut.
this is not true you can’t do print and cut on mobile app. specially on a Chromebook
I have the a Cricut Explore and I am loving it. My question is how do I unzip svg files on my Chromebook…I want to do a Giant Flower Templete but I am having trouble unzipping the file and how do i upload it into the Design Space…if I can??
Hey Greg!
The Files app on your Chromebook should be able to Unzip a folder.
Once you unzip, drag the files into your download folder so that you can upload them to Design Space.
After you download them to the download folder how do you get them to design space?
i have the cricut explore one and it wont show up in my bluetooth and i dont know waht to do
I am having trouble printing multiple layers from my chrome book can anybody help me??
I have issues with this as well. Pinching with my fingers on my touch screen is the best method.
I don’t have a touchscreen on my Lenovo chromebook – any suggestions? keyboard shortcut?
I have a cricut explorer air 2, it won’t connect to my bluetooth on my chrome?? keeps saying failed to connect to circutAIR2-Ba09??
Yes, it can be finicky. I usually need to restart my device and power cycle the Cricut to get it to work.
How long did it take for your bluetooth on your chromebook to connect to your cricut? Mine keeps saying “pairing” and will do that for about an hour before I get fed up. I feel like it should not take this long?
Yes, it can be finicky.
If it doesn’t connect in 60 seconds, restart your Chromebook and try again.
It should work nearly instantly.
I have a chromebook (Asus flip) touchscreen and I am able to use every function in the android circuit app. I’m not sure if there are as many options within the editing menu on the app as there are on the web version but there haven’t been any limitations so far with what I try to do. I can print, cut, draw etc. I have the explore air 2 for a machine. I’d love to try the web version but buying another laptop isn’t an option right now and I have an Android phone. Thankfully there is an app version for chromebook users! 🙂
I have an HP Chromebook I downloaded the cricut design space from the play store but when I go to create an account once I get all my information filled in it only highlights the option to sign in the option to create account it’s no longer clickable and if I just click sign in it just takes me to another page that has the username and password and if you put the username and password in it just it’s just a loop. Is that meaning that the design space is not compatible with my chromebook? it doesn’t seem to be compatible with my Android phone either even though it’s an Android version 9 Motorola.
I think I went to the website (not the app) to create my account.
Once I had an account I was able to log in using the app.
No, Chromebook don’t support Drivers for external devices. You can only connect via bluetooth.
or should i use the mobile app on my iphone and try to connect to my cricut that way
Does anyone know if you MUST use a desk top to be able to use the new cricut maker knife blade? I saw a video that stated this & I dont own a desktop just a chromebook….wanted to know before I invest $ in the knife blade & wood for projects. THNX
The option Flatten does is greyed out in the Android version. Is there anyway to flatten an image on my chrome. This is soooo frustrating.
I just got a cricut and thought i’d have to sell my google pixelbook (which I love)….I took the pics and posted the ad on facebook. After chatting with a friend she asked me if i even tried downloading the app on my computer and I was like no because I didn’t think about it! Well…i went to google play and searched for it, installed it and it worked!!! I set up my cricut account and cut my first piece. I am not familiar with the design program at all, so I’m hoping i’ll be fine to keep my pixelbook!!!
Awesome! I have a Pixelbook as well….great device. I’m glad it has a new life to explore!
I know this may be a long shot..I have the acer chromebook spin 311 and I have downloaded the cricut design space…I have done a few projects …my question is I don’t have the templates option is there a way for me to get it
Sadly no. The mobile version of design space doesn’t include all of the features of the desktop app. 😞
I have Cricut maker and a acer chromebook 315 when in design space how do i scroll down on the matt when working on a prodject
I have issues scrolling as well.
I usually have to pinch to zoom in / out (I have a touch screen Chromebook)
I have downloaded the app, and I have started to create a project when I go to “make” it says “Pair your machine by tapping on pair” but my machine is paired through bluetooth to the circuit? I am confused, and there is no where to “tap”?
Any adivce?
Yes, this issue happens occasionally. I usually have to restart my Chromebook and the Cricut.
In my experience, it is best to pair your Chromebook to the Cricut using the system menu and then allow it to connect when you get ready to cut through design space.
71 comments. Leave new
I had been working on this with my FACS teacher a while back, and although we can get this app working on the Chromebook if we’ve logged into the Chromebook using our personal Google account (@gmail), we cannot do this when we are logged into our Chromebooks using our school domain account. The app does not recognize our @schooldomain.org accout as a Google account (it doesn’t give us an option to use another account), therefore does not allow us to go any further. I’ve contacted Cricut support and the only answer they gave was they didn’t support Chromebooks. I don’t think they understood that the only hitch was Cricut not recognizing our school Google domain as a Google account!
Unless your district has enabled access to Google Play and approved the Design Space Android app, you won’t be able to use it with your School Chromebooks.
I primarily use Android Apps with a personal Gmail account.
Your best option is probably to talk with your IT department about letting you sign in to specific school-owned Chromebooks using a Gmail account so that you can connect your Cricut. This will be easier than asking them to set up Google Play for your entire school.
My District is encountering the same issue, We have access to the managed play store, and the app has been approved but we get the error “Authentication required.” ” You need to sign in with your Google account.” This only happens when using a district account.
Google play is enabled in our district but there is some policy that is causing an error when using a gsuite account. It says you must login, but will not allow you to login to your cricut account. I have tried many policy changes and still have not figured it out.
I downloaded Cricut to my crombook 360 but it won’t cut it it show everything but it go to the cut process
I believe you need to be connected to your Cricut via Bluetooth before you can get to the cut screen.
i downloaded it to my chromebook 360 and cant figure out why in the cricut design space app it doesnt show the option for templates for shirts? Any ideas?
I don’t think templates are included with the mobile app.
This worked for me but I don’t see the ability to use my cricut Access subscription. Do you know how?
Have you figured out how to scroll down on the canvas when designing on your Chromebook? I think because it’s a mobile application it’s expecting a touch screen by my Chromebook obviously doesn’t do that.
Yes, Create Space is a bit funky on a Chromebook.
I have issues scrolling and moving objects around the canvas.
Most of the time I have to manually resize objects using the size button rather than pinching to resize.
I have a chromebook and I’m having extreme trouble unzipping fonts and files and transferring them to the cricut design app
You can’t add fonts on a Chromebook. 😢
I haven’t explored it much but I just downloaded the app “fontasy” on my chromebook in google play and you can essentially find a font, type out your words, and save it as an image. It saves as a png file, you can then upload the image in to the cricut app. You will have to remove the white background but when I just tried it the font was nice and crisp (it didn’t have wonky jagged edged lines like some uploaded files)
Obviously not the same freedom as downloading the font but is as close as I’ve gotten so far. Hope this helps!
Great tip! Thank you for taking the time to share!
It’s not completely compatible.
You can only do single color designs.
No other options pops up. That tool that’s supposed to appear on the right hand of the screen is not available. I’ve searched & searches. If there’s some sort of secret you know, please share.
Yes, there are many limitations. The mobile version of Create Space does not have all of the features of the full desktop application.
i don’t have the option for templates is it bc its a chromebook? Ive tried to update my version of everything and hoping that would work..I’m assuming that option isnt compatiable on the chromebook?
You are correct. The Android version of Design Space is missing some of the features available on the desktop app.
I have a Chromebook and have only used the Android app. You can use more then one color on a design. You highlight the object and click edit and you and you can change the color there. I wish I could use personalized fonts or free ones but still haven’t figured that out.
I just got my Cricut Maker and i have a chromebook. When i download a picture to cut it makes me pick a color and then fills in all my holes. What am i doing wrong?
If you have a white background you will need to use the erase tool to cut out the design.
I just bought a new Asus Chromebook and a pre-owned Cricut Exp Air2. I did download the app through the store. I can work in Design Space with no problems. I can see the machine in my bluetooth, but it will not pair. It will tell me Unknown Error. I also tried on my Android cell phone. It will not connect. I’m using the usb cord that came with the machine. Is the problem the usb cord and I need to purchase the wireless Cricut connector? So frustrated right now.
I connected my Cricut using Bluetooth. I don’t use the USB cable.
I have had intermittent connection issues between the Cricut and the Chromebook.
Sometimes it connects right away and sometimes I have to fiddle with it to get it to work. Restarting the Chromebook is usually my first trick.
I have the most success connecting the Cricut via Bluetooth before I open Design Space. If I can get it to connect directly to the CB, Design Space usually recognizes it.
I can get my Critcut Explorer 2 to connect but within 2 seconds it disconnects by itself. Does the same thing with my phone.
Yep, it can be cranky. I frequently have to restart my Cricut and Chromebook a few times before it will connect.
I have a Chromebook and have Downloaded design space but it shows up very small in my laptop screen. Am I able to enlarge full screen the design space?
Using the full-screen button doesn’t work. I have to manually stretch the window to **almost** full screen.
I click on bluetooth on my Chromebook but it doesn’t seem to find my Cricut. It just keeps searching.
Yes, I have had the same issue.
Restarting the Chromebook usually helps.
If restarting doesn’t work, I do all the work on my Chromebook then save it. I then go to my iphone, where I also installed the app, and I print it from there instead.
i just got my cricut air 2 and have a chromebook it will not let me make my cut it says print and cut is not supported with andriods
Where are you seeing that error message?
Chromebooks are NOT officially supported, but you can get it to work with a little coaxing.
They are referring to using the Android app on the Chromebook. The error message occurs when you attempt to use a “Print and Cut” project with the Android app. Currently “Print and Cut” is only available on Windows, Mac and iOS, which means android is the ONLY Critcut supported platform that does not support this crucial feature. There is also no reference on their site on whether or not they plan to add it. Without “Print and Cut”, the Android option on Chromebook is useless to a lot of us, as many projects use “Print and Cut”. It is very irritating that companies, like Circut, see Android as an afterthought and only put their efforts into iOS.
locally, I have a Chromebook 2-1 (two in one), and I just flip the tablet from landscape to portrait, then automatically, fills in the screen. I am happy to find out I don’t have to get rid of my Chromebook , now I can go ahead and start my designs, yay!
Thanks for this 🙂 I’m literally on the verge of pressing the ‘buy’ button for the Cricut Explore Air 2 (whilst on my Chromebook) but I’ve downloaded the Design Space for a mess around before doing so and it too says that print and cut isn’t supported. You say you’re able to do it with a little fiddling around – how so? Don’t want to fork out £250 for me not to be able to use it… or worse – have to buy a different laptop! Thanks 🙂
Chromebooks are not officially supported, but I was able to get the Design Space android app to work on my Chromebook.
The post you are commenting on explains how I was able to use Chromebook and Cricut.
this is not true you can’t do print and cut on mobile app. specially on a Chromebook
I have the a Cricut Explore and I am loving it. My question is how do I unzip svg files on my Chromebook…I want to do a Giant Flower Templete but I am having trouble unzipping the file and how do i upload it into the Design Space…if I can??
Hey Greg!
The Files app on your Chromebook should be able to Unzip a folder.
Once you unzip, drag the files into your download folder so that you can upload them to Design Space.
After you download them to the download folder how do you get them to design space?
Images?
You can upload them to your canvas using the “upload” button.
i have the cricut explore one and it wont show up in my bluetooth and i dont know waht to do
I am having trouble printing multiple layers from my chrome book can anybody help me??
How do you zoom in Design space with a Chromebook
I have issues with this as well. Pinching with my fingers on my touch screen is the best method.
I don’t have a touchscreen on my Lenovo chromebook – any suggestions? keyboard shortcut?
I have a cricut explorer air 2, it won’t connect to my bluetooth on my chrome?? keeps saying failed to connect to circutAIR2-Ba09??
Yes, it can be finicky. I usually need to restart my device and power cycle the Cricut to get it to work.
How long did it take for your bluetooth on your chromebook to connect to your cricut? Mine keeps saying “pairing” and will do that for about an hour before I get fed up. I feel like it should not take this long?
Yes, it can be finicky.
If it doesn’t connect in 60 seconds, restart your Chromebook and try again.
It should work nearly instantly.
I have a chromebook (Asus flip) touchscreen and I am able to use every function in the android circuit app. I’m not sure if there are as many options within the editing menu on the app as there are on the web version but there haven’t been any limitations so far with what I try to do. I can print, cut, draw etc. I have the explore air 2 for a machine. I’d love to try the web version but buying another laptop isn’t an option right now and I have an Android phone. Thankfully there is an app version for chromebook users! 🙂
I have an HP Chromebook I downloaded the cricut design space from the play store but when I go to create an account once I get all my information filled in it only highlights the option to sign in the option to create account it’s no longer clickable and if I just click sign in it just takes me to another page that has the username and password and if you put the username and password in it just it’s just a loop. Is that meaning that the design space is not compatible with my chromebook? it doesn’t seem to be compatible with my Android phone either even though it’s an Android version 9 Motorola.
I think I went to the website (not the app) to create my account.
Once I had an account I was able to log in using the app.
Can this be done with the original machine and a connection cable?
No, Chromebook don’t support Drivers for external devices. You can only connect via bluetooth.
or should i use the mobile app on my iphone and try to connect to my cricut that way
You can connect using your iPhone.
Does anyone know if you MUST use a desk top to be able to use the new cricut maker knife blade? I saw a video that stated this & I dont own a desktop just a chromebook….wanted to know before I invest $ in the knife blade & wood for projects. THNX
The option Flatten does is greyed out in the Android version. Is there anyway to flatten an image on my chrome. This is soooo frustrating.
Thank you so much for this!!!!
I just got a cricut and thought i’d have to sell my google pixelbook (which I love)….I took the pics and posted the ad on facebook. After chatting with a friend she asked me if i even tried downloading the app on my computer and I was like no because I didn’t think about it! Well…i went to google play and searched for it, installed it and it worked!!! I set up my cricut account and cut my first piece. I am not familiar with the design program at all, so I’m hoping i’ll be fine to keep my pixelbook!!!
Awesome! I have a Pixelbook as well….great device. I’m glad it has a new life to explore!
I know this may be a long shot..I have the acer chromebook spin 311 and I have downloaded the cricut design space…I have done a few projects …my question is I don’t have the templates option is there a way for me to get it
Sadly no. The mobile version of design space doesn’t include all of the features of the desktop app. 😞
I have Cricut maker and a acer chromebook 315 when in design space how do i scroll down on the matt when working on a prodject
I have issues scrolling as well.
I usually have to pinch to zoom in / out (I have a touch screen Chromebook)
how do i Download a cricut design space?
You need to download the Android version through Google Play.
I have downloaded the app, and I have started to create a project when I go to “make” it says “Pair your machine by tapping on pair” but my machine is paired through bluetooth to the circuit? I am confused, and there is no where to “tap”?
Any adivce?
Yes, this issue happens occasionally. I usually have to restart my Chromebook and the Cricut.
In my experience, it is best to pair your Chromebook to the Cricut using the system menu and then allow it to connect when you get ready to cut through design space.