1. Setting up ScreenCloud on ChromeOS: Requirements, licenses, and costs
To run ScreenCloud effectively on a ChromeOS device, we strongly recommend using Kiosk mode. ChromeOS devices include Chromeboxes, Chromebases, Chromebooks, and Chromebits - Any device powered by Google’s ChromeOS. You can review the required minimum requirements for the ScreenCloud ChromeOS player here.
Running ScreenCloud in Kiosk mode allows a single app to run securely in full-screen while locking down the device so that no one can tamper with it. This setup is ideal for digital signage or public displays. If the device loses power or the app crashes, ChromeOS automatically relaunches the ScreenCloud app on startup, ensuring continuous operation.
Beginning with recent ChromeOS updates, all devices running in Kiosk mode must have an active ChromeOS management license. There are several options under Google’s updated licensing system:
ChromeOS Enterprise Upgrade – $50 USD per device per year
ChromeOS Education Upgrade – available for schools and educational institutions
ChromeOS Kiosk & Signage Upgrade – $25 USD per device per year (for digital signage and single-purpose deployments)
ChromeOS Enterprise Perpetual Upgrade – $150 USD per device (one-time cost for the lifespan of the device)
These licenses can be purchased through Google’s Admin Console or from an authorized Google Partner. The license links your device to the Google Admin Console, unlocking ChromeOS Enterprise management features. These include remote configuration, policy enforcement, automatic app updates, and device health monitoring. These are all essential for managing fleets of ChromeOS devices.
To use ChromeOS Enterprise management, you’ll need to set up a Google Workspace account, as the Admin Console is part of Google Workspace’s ecosystem. Setting up Workspace requires your own domain (e.g., yourcompany.com) and at least one administrator user account. Google Workspace offers several tiers depending on your organization type:
Business Starter – $6 USD per user per month
Business Standard – $12 USD per user per month
Business Plus – $18 USD per user per month
Enterprise editions – custom pricing for larger deployments
Education and Nonprofit editions – discounted or free, depending on eligibility
During setup, connect your domain to Google Workspace, create your admin account, and enroll your ChromeOS devices in the Admin Console. From there, you can assign your ChromeOS licenses, enable Kiosk mode, and deploy ScreenCloud remotely to your devices.
If you choose not to use Kiosk mode, you cannot use the ScreenCloud ChromeOS player. It is a requirement for using ScreenCloud as digital signage on your ChromeOS hardware.
In summary, to run ScreenCloud on ChromeOS devices with optimal reliability and security, you’ll need:
A ChromeOS device (such as a Chromebox or Chromebase).
A Google Workspace account connected to your own domain (starting at $6 USD per user per month).
A ChromeOS management license—preferably the Kiosk & Signage Upgrade ($25/year) or Enterprise Upgrade ($50/year) per device, depending on your needs.
This setup ensures you can centrally manage your ChromeOS devices through the Google Admin Console, automatically launch ScreenCloud in Kiosk mode, and keep your screens running seamlessly with Google’s latest enterprise-grade security and management tools.
2. Set up Google Workspace and purchase ChromeOS licenses
To run ScreenCloud in Kiosk Mode on ChromeOS devices, you’ll need a Google Workspace account and a ChromeOS management license (also called a ChromeOS Upgrade). These are required to enroll and manage your devices in the Google Admin Console, enabling kiosk mode, remote updates, and automatic app relaunch after restarts or power loss.
First, set up Google Workspace with at least one administrator account and link your own domain (e.g., yourcompany.com). This gives you access to Google Admin for device management. You can compare plans at Google Workspace Pricing and follow the Workspace Setup Guide.
Next, purchase a ChromeOS management license for each device. You can begin with a free 30-day Enterprise Upgrade trial for up to 50 devices or purchase directly via your Admin Console following these instructions.
These licenses unlock key management features like app locking, device health monitoring, and automatic kiosk launch. For digital signage setups, the Kiosk & Signage Upgrade is the most cost-effective choice.
In short, you’ll need:
A Google Workspace account with admin access
A ChromeOS Kiosk & Signage or Enterprise Upgrade license per device
Once both are in place, you can manage your ChromeOS devices remotely, deploy ScreenCloud in Kiosk Mode, and keep your digital signage displays running securely and automatically.
3. Set up ScreenCloud as your kiosk app in CDM
Once you’ve set up Google Workspace, gained access to the Google Admin console, and purchased Chrome device licenses, go to the Chrome Device Management (CDM) section in Admin and add the Isolated Web App (IWA) ScreenCloud ChromeOS Player as the kiosk app for the ChromeOS devices you want to enroll. This ensures that the ScreenCloud player app is automatically installed on enrolled devices and launches in kiosk mode whenever the device is turned on.
If you currently have the ScreenCloud ChromeOS player setup as a Chrome app, please follow these migration steps to remove the legacy version after setting up the new IWA player, as Google is ending support for Chrome apps. This does not require pairing a new screen as the existing screen connection will transfer onto the new IWA player. Migrating the ScreenCloud a ChromeOS player from Chrome App to a IWA should be done before July 2026.
In Google Workspace Admin
Select your Organization Unit
At the below right corner, hit the + button, then hit the box icon Add an Isolated Web App
Fill in the *Web Bundle ID* and *Update Manifest* URL value then hit SAVE
Production / Stable (Recommended)
Web Bundle ID:xg7j4jhurxb7v5kpnt6asdfdap4lgygu7rxw6wwmpg4p3zs3rffaaaic
Update Manifest URL: https://chrome-iwa.screencloud.com
Canary (Use this to test the pre-release player)
Web Bundle ID:xg7j4jhurxb7v5kpnt6asdfdap4lgygu7rxw6wwmpg4p3zs3rffaaaic
Update Manifest URL: https://chrome-iwa.canary.screencloud.com
Click your installed app to toggle more settings, make sure Web app can run offline is enabled.
Then scroll down to
Extensionssection then hit Add Extension> Add from a custom URL
Fill in Extension ID and URL
Production / Stable (Recommended)
Extension ID:jnmaledhgpoamilcocooopoecloipihf
URL: https://chrome-enterprise-extension.screencloud.com
Canary (Use this to test the pre-release player)
Extension ID:jnmaledhgpoamilcocooopoecloipihf
URL: https://chrome-enterprise-extension.canary.screencloud.com
Hit Save at the above right corner.
Set Auto-launch app to the name of the installed player (
https://chrome-iwa.screencloud.comin the image sample below), then hit Save again at the top right corner.
Reboot the ChromeOS device, and it should load the correct player app & extension (If not, wait around 5 minutes and try again)
4. Enroll and set up your device
Now that the ScreenCloud Player app has been added as the kiosk app for the devices in your account, you can start enrolling and setting up your Chrome devices.
If your Chrome device has been used before this setup, you will need to wipe your device.
You can view the steps to take to wipe a Chrome device with this Google guide and then return to this page to follow the enrollment steps below.
Before enrolling, ensure your organization’s Chrome licenses (Enterprise, Education, or Kiosk & Signage) are already assigned and available in the Admin console. You may need to accept Google’s Terms of Service in the Admin console before the first enrollment. In addition, if someone signs in before enrollment, the device must be wiped (factory reset) and re-enrolled.
Enroll the device
Turn on the Chrome device and follow the on-screen setup until you reach the sign-in screen - Do not sign in yet.
Press Ctrl + Alt + E to open the device enrollment screen.
If the device shows the enroll screen automatically, you can continue without using the shortcut.
Sign in with your Google Admin credentials:
Use the username and password from your Google Admin welcome letter, or
Use the credentials of an existing Google Workspace user authorized to enroll devices.
Enter additional details (if prompted):
Asset ID and Location for your organization’s records.
Select the correct license type for enrollment:
Enterprise/Education Upgrade → Click Enroll enterprise device.
Kiosk & Signage Upgrade → Click Enroll kiosk or signage device, then Confirm.
Wait for the confirmation message indicating that the device was successfully enrolled, then click Done.
For more detailed instructions on enrolling ChromeOS devices, please see Google's help docs here.
Once enrolled, your ChromeOS device should reboot and automatically launch ScreenCloud as a kiosk app. If it doesn’t, you can manually reboot the device pressing the power button to restart it, or by unplugging it from power and plugging it back in.
Please follow the process in the guide How Do I Add (Set Up) or Delete a Screen in ScreenCloud? to pair the screen to your account. You should also refer to the guide Chrome Licenses: Settings Overview & Benefits for the other settings you should be aware of on the Chrome Device Management console.
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