Chromebook Recovery Utility

Spec sheet

Purpose

Chromebook Recovery Utility burns a recovery image onto a separate device, such as a USB drive or SD card, for recovering a ChromeOS device.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Intended users

Google’s installation guide describes ChromeOS Flex installation as a process for admins installing it on Windows, Mac, or Linux devices.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Privacy

Google states that it processes no personal data as part of the service.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Support

Google directs users to the ChromeOS Flex Help Community and says support for certified devices is available to Chrome Enterprise, Chrome Education, or Google Workspace customers, depending on subscription.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Alternative creation method

Google also provides a ChromeOS Flex installer image for users comfortable creating bootable USB drives with dd or third-party utilities.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Alternative method

Google also provides a ChromeOS Flex installer image for creating bootable USB media without Chrome browser, using dd or another utility.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Browser extension

Google’s installation guide says to add Chromebook Recovery Utility from the Chrome Web Store as a Chrome extension.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

ChromeOS Flex installer

The utility can create a USB installer for ChromeOS Flex from ChromeOS, Windows, or Mac using the Chrome browser.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Data disclosure

The Chrome Web Store listing says the developer disclosed that the extension does not collect or use user data.Read 11 Oct 2026 · chromewebstore.google.com

Erase USB contents

Creating the installer erases all contents on the USB drive.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Format media

The utility can erase recovery media so the USB drive can be reused.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Installer selection

The utility’s workflow lets users select Google ChromeOS Flex as the manufacturer and ChromeOS Flex as the product.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Product limit

Google only guarantees ChromeOS Flex functionality on certified device models; performance, functionality, and stability on non-certified devices are not guaranteed.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Recommended method

Google recommends Chromebook Recovery Utility for creating the ChromeOS Flex USB installer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Recovery media

The utility creates recovery media by selecting a model, choosing a USB drive, and creating the installer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Supported creator devices

The guide lists ChromeOS, Windows, and Mac devices with Chrome as devices for using the utility.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Supported extension devices

The Chrome Web Store listing says the extension can be used on M55+ Chromebooks, Windows, and Mac devices, and that recovery media creation on a Googlebook is unsupported.Read 11 Oct 2026 · chromewebstore.google.com

Target users

Google describes the direct installer-image method as intended for admins comfortable creating bootable USB drives with command-line or third-party utilities.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

USB erasure

Creating the installer erases all contents on the USB drive.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

USB formatting

Google recommends using Chromebook Recovery Utility to erase and reuse a ChromeOS Flex installer USB drive.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

USB requirement

The ChromeOS Flex installation guide says the USB drive must have at least 8 GB of storage.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

USB requirements

The ChromeOS Flex installation guide requires a USB drive of 8 GB or more and notes that some Sandisk and other drives might not work as installers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · support.google.com

Where Specifiction places it

• Bootable USB Software#14 of 387.7