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
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30 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.
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
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 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.
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.
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.
i have the cricut explore one and it wont show up in my bluetooth and i dont know waht to do
30 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.
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. 😢
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 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.
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.
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.
i have the cricut explore one and it wont show up in my bluetooth and i dont know waht to do