How to Open XPS Files on a Chromebook

Chrome OS has no built-in XPS reader. Attempting to open a .xps file in the Files app produces no preview — the format is simply not recognised. There is no official Chrome extension from Microsoft that adds one.

Three approaches work reliably: convert the file online in your browser (the simplest), use Linux (Crostini) with the libgxps-utils package, or install a converter app from the Play Store. Each is covered below.

Method 1: convert online in Chrome (simplest)

This is the fastest route and requires no setup. Open this page in Chrome on your Chromebook, use the converter below, and download the PDF. The converted file appears in your Downloads folder and opens immediately in Chrome's built-in PDF viewer.

This approach handles both .xps and .oxps files, accepts up to 20 files per batch, and each file can be up to 25 MB. Nothing is stored on your Chromebook and no extension is needed.

Method 2: Linux (Crostini) and xpstopdf

If your Chromebook has Linux enabled — or if you are willing to turn it on — the libgxps-utils package provides a proper command-line XPS converter. This is the same library that powers Evince and Okular on Linux desktops.

To set it up:

1. Open the Settings app, go to Advanced → Developers, and turn on Linux development environment. Chrome OS will download and configure it.
2. Open the Terminal app and run:
   sudo apt update && sudo apt install libgxps-utils
3. To convert a file, run:
   xpstopdf input.xps output.pdf

Files in your Chromebook's Downloads folder are accessible from Linux at /mnt/chromeos/MyFiles/Downloads/, so you can convert directly without moving files around. The same package also provides xpstojpeg, xpstopng and xpstops if you need other output formats.

Method 3: Play Store converter app

Most Chromebooks support Android apps from the Play Store. Search for an XPS converter app and you will find several options. Bear in mind that most Play Store XPS apps are wrappers around an online service — they upload your file to a remote server to convert it, similar to the browser route above. Check the app's privacy policy if the document is sensitive.

A native Android app may be convenient if you frequently receive XPS files and prefer not to use the browser each time, but there is no quality advantage over converting directly in Chrome.

Which method should you use?

For most Chromebook users, the online converter is the right choice: no setup, no extra apps, and the PDF lands straight in Downloads. The Linux route suits people who already have Crostini running and want to batch-convert multiple files via a script. A Play Store app is convenient if you need one-tap access and don't mind the extra install.

All three produce a standard PDF that opens in Chrome's built-in viewer, Google Drive and any PDF app on your device.

Frequently asked questions

Does Chrome OS have a built-in XPS viewer?

No. Chrome OS has no native XPS reader. The Files app cannot preview .xps files and there is no official Chrome extension that adds XPS support.

Can I open XPS files in Google Drive on a Chromebook?

Google Drive does not preview XPS files. You need to convert the file to PDF first, then upload the PDF to Drive — or convert it directly in the browser and save it from there.

How do I install libgxps-utils on a Chromebook?

Enable Linux (Crostini) in Settings > Advanced > Developers, then open Terminal and run: sudo apt update && sudo apt install libgxps-utils. You can then convert files with: xpstopdf input.xps output.pdf

Do Play Store XPS apps work offline?

Most Play Store XPS apps require an internet connection because they send the file to a remote server to convert it. The Linux xpstopdf route is the only fully offline option on a Chromebook.

Can I batch-convert multiple XPS files on a Chromebook?

Yes, two ways. The online converter accepts up to 20 files per batch. Alternatively, with Linux enabled, write a simple shell loop using xpstopdf to process a folder of files automatically.

Last updated: June 2026