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[GH-ISSUE #759] REQ: ChromeOS support #593

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opened 2026-05-05 06:44:15 -06:00 by gitea-mirror · 9 comments

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:15 -06:00

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Originally created by @jxyzn on GitHub (Jun 19, 2020).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/debauchee/barrier/issues/759

A long-standing open request for Synergy has been Chromebook/ChromeOS support. This is complicated by the fact that X has been mostly abstracted away in ChromeOS and 'remote control' capability has been carefully walled away, so nothing has been done to address it in that project.

HOWEVER, I have done some experimentation with libevdev (https://www.freedesktop.org/software/libevdev/doc/latest/) and evemu (https://github.com/whot/evemu) using a linux desktop keyboard+mouse server to a Chromebook laptop client with promising results. The input events captured through evdev can be pushed across the network and played-back through a simulated input device created to mimic the source device with evemu.

I don't have the background necessary to implement a robust and integrated solution with Barrier, but I'm hoping that awareness of the possibility of this approach might encourage some further exploration of this possibility.

Originally created by @jxyzn on GitHub (Jun 19, 2020). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/debauchee/barrier/issues/759 A long-standing open request for Synergy has been Chromebook/ChromeOS support. This is complicated by the fact that X has been mostly abstracted away in ChromeOS and 'remote control' capability has been carefully walled away, so nothing has been done to address it in that project. HOWEVER, I have done some experimentation with libevdev (https://www.freedesktop.org/software/libevdev/doc/latest/) and evemu (https://github.com/whot/evemu) using a linux desktop keyboard+mouse server to a Chromebook laptop client with promising results. The input events captured through evdev can be pushed across the network and played-back through a simulated input device created to mimic the source device with evemu. I don't have the background necessary to implement a robust and integrated solution with Barrier, but I'm hoping that awareness of the possibility of this approach might encourage some further exploration of this possibility.

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gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:19 -06:00

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@shymega commented on GitHub (Jun 19, 2020):

Interesting idea, and thanks for the experimentation. Unfortunately, we can't devote resources to this feature request at the moment, due to a huge backlog of other more pressing bugs (including memory leakage), and we also simply don't have enough developers available right now. I will mark this is a feature request.

Thanks..

@shymega commented on GitHub (Jun 19, 2020): Interesting idea, and thanks for the experimentation. Unfortunately, we can't devote resources to this feature request at the moment, due to a huge backlog of other more pressing bugs (including memory leakage), and we also simply don't have enough developers available right now. I will mark this is a feature request. Thanks..

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:20 -06:00

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@github-actions[bot] commented on GitHub (Sep 19, 2020):

This issue has been automatically marked as stale due to inactivity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

@github-actions[bot] commented on GitHub (Sep 19, 2020): This issue has been automatically marked as stale due to inactivity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:23 -06:00

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@herychemo commented on GitHub (Aug 18, 2021):

Any updates on this feature?
Thx

@herychemo commented on GitHub (Aug 18, 2021): Any updates on this feature? Thx

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:25 -06:00

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@shymega commented on GitHub (Aug 18, 2021):

No.

@shymega commented on GitHub (Aug 18, 2021): No.

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:26 -06:00

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@ckozler commented on GitHub (Jul 21, 2022):

Hello @shymega. I know this issue is somewhat stale but I wanted to let you know I have recently attempted a recent Flex 5 Chromebook and Barrier. I can see the log indicating entering and leaving a screen is detected, however, inputs don't work. I am guessing this is due to a way Google has modified the kernel inputs and thus Barrier cannot hook on to them (or whatever beautiful magic is under the hood). Using sudo and pkexec generates the errors I expect about no display found

In any case, I would be happy to test any feedback you might have on this or if chromebook will outright not be supported (I could not find this outlined anywhere)

@ckozler commented on GitHub (Jul 21, 2022): Hello @shymega. I know this issue is somewhat stale but I wanted to let you know I have recently attempted a recent Flex 5 Chromebook and Barrier. I can see the log indicating entering and leaving a screen is detected, however, inputs don't work. I am guessing this is due to a way Google has modified the kernel inputs and thus Barrier cannot hook on to them (or whatever beautiful magic is under the hood). Using sudo and pkexec generates the errors I expect about no display found In any case, I would be happy to test any feedback you might have on this or if chromebook will outright not be supported (I could not find this outlined anywhere)

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:28 -06:00

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@CarlosLRamirez commented on GitHub (Oct 10, 2022):

Hello, wondering if barrier works on Chromebooks now, before attempt to install it?

@CarlosLRamirez commented on GitHub (Oct 10, 2022): Hello, wondering if barrier works on Chromebooks now, before attempt to install it?

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:29 -06:00

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@andrewthetechie commented on GitHub (Oct 23, 2022):

@CarlosLRamirez not at this time.

@andrewthetechie commented on GitHub (Oct 23, 2022): @CarlosLRamirez not at this time.

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:31 -06:00

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@shymega commented on GitHub (Nov 26, 2022):

Hello @shymega. I know this issue is somewhat stale but I wanted to let you know I have recently attempted a recent Flex 5 Chromebook and Barrier. I can see the log indicating entering and leaving a screen is detected, however, inputs don't work. I am guessing this is due to a way Google has modified the kernel inputs and thus Barrier cannot hook on to them (or whatever beautiful magic is under the hood). Using sudo and pkexec generates the errors I expect about no display found

In any case, I would be happy to test any feedback you might have on this or if chromebook will outright not be supported (I could not find this outlined anywhere)

And (cc: @CarlosLRamirez)

I don't work on Barrier anymore, but thank you for testing it on Chromebook. I don't think Google have modified the kernel, as it's likely to be userland, but this isn't something I'm focusing on right now. I don't even own a Chromebook.

@shymega commented on GitHub (Nov 26, 2022): > Hello @shymega. I know this issue is somewhat stale but I wanted to let you know I have recently attempted a recent Flex 5 Chromebook and Barrier. I can see the log indicating entering and leaving a screen is detected, however, inputs don't work. I am guessing this is due to a way Google has modified the kernel inputs and thus Barrier cannot hook on to them (or whatever beautiful magic is under the hood). Using sudo and pkexec generates the errors I expect about no display found > > In any case, I would be happy to test any feedback you might have on this or if chromebook will outright not be supported (I could not find this outlined anywhere) And (cc: @CarlosLRamirez) I don't work on Barrier anymore, but thank you for testing it on Chromebook. I don't think Google have modified the kernel, as it's likely to be userland, but this isn't something I'm focusing on right now. I don't even own a Chromebook.

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:44:34 -06:00

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@FernandesLucass commented on GitHub (Mar 22, 2025):

Just to update the situation, tested the connection between Windows and Chromebook and hasn't worked yet!

@FernandesLucass commented on GitHub (Mar 22, 2025): Just to update the situation, tested the connection between Windows and Chromebook and hasn't worked yet!

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