Feb 6, 2019 06:48:51 PM Edited Feb 6, 2019 06:52:58 PM by Stephanie M
Hello everyone! This is my first official post here. Hopefully it helps someone. I was searching for a solution and it still doesn't seem to be resolved by the UpWork team to officially add support for the Time Tracker desktop app on ChromeOS. My boyfriend is really good with ChromeOS and he will detail below the steps to get this to work on your Chromebook.
Step 1: Enable Linux Apps on your Chromebook.
- Settings
- Top left 3 lines
- Linux (Beta)
- Enable
Step 2: Go to this Google Drive folder I created and download the version of Linux that you need for your device. Linux on ChromeOS uses a version of Debian so you really just need to know if the processor of your device is 64 or 32 bit. Most devices are also using a 64 bit processor. Some lower-end Chromebooks might be using 32 bit. Just Google your device specs.
Step 3: With Linux now installed on your Chromebook, open the app drawer (bottom left) and find the Linux folder and open Terminal.
Step 4: Open "Files" app from your app drawer and locate the file you downloaded from the Drive folder in Step 2 (likely in the Downloads folder). Rename it to "upwork.deb". Then locate the "Linux files" directory on the left and drag the renamed file into that directory.
Step 5: Now for some command line. Don't worry, it's easy. From the Terminal window you opened type in:
sudo dpkg -i upwork.deb
The package will unpack and you might get an error, just type the next command once it is finished.
sudo apt-get -f install
Step 6: Open app drawer and located the Linux folder again. You should now see UpWork installed as a Linux app. Launch it and sign in.
Screenshots don't seem to work yet. But this is my first time using this so hopefully I'm forgetting something.
Jan 19, 2020 09:47:50 PM by Katie R
Is there any update on this?? Will Upwork ever support Chrome OS??
Jan 20, 2020 12:31:52 AM by Avery O
Hi Katie,
We still do not have any estimated time as of when this will be considered for future releases. If we have more information, we'll share it here with the Community.
Feb 7, 2020 03:18:13 PM Edited Feb 7, 2020 03:22:54 PM by Anthony R
It loads and then says
Feb 7, 2020 03:43:15 PM by Tiffany S
Thank you! I was just trying to find a way to make this work earlier this week.
Feb 10, 2020 09:06:34 AM by Matthew P
Solution for my issue:
Unable to connect to internet. Please check internet connection and try again.
Uninstall package from OP's drive (or skip it for newer version)
It seems likely that V_5.1 has been dropped and no longer connects to Upwork's servers.
Download from Upwork officially here:
https://www.upwork.com/ab/downloads/os/linux/
Right-click on software package and select "Install with Linux (Beta)"
Hope this helps you all!
Apr 5, 2020 06:30:08 AM by Florence A
This was all very helpful and worked great! Including getting the download straight from UpWork to solve the connection issue.
Only, now that I've started using the time tracker, I got: "failed to take screenshot" and the time I thought I was tracking didn't appear in my work diary.
Has anyone else had this problem? I'm wondering if it's an issue with my computer or problem particular to the Linux app running in a Chromebook.
Apr 5, 2020 09:00:12 AM by Aleksandar D
Hi Florence,
I checked and it seems that you already created a support ticket for the problem you are experiencing. I already followed up with the team handling your case and one of our agents already updated your ticket.
Thank you.
Apr 30, 2020 04:54:25 PM by Brian C
Hi Upwork Community! I have a Chromebook computer. Is it possible to download the desktop time tracker app?
Thanks for your help,
Brian
Apr 30, 2020 06:33:35 PM by Avery O
Hi Brian,
I have merged your post on this thread. We don't have an available app for Chromebook yet, but a lot of users have shared a workaround on how to use the Upwork Desktop App on Chromebooks. Hopefully this thread helps you.
May 27, 2020 10:17:34 AM by Dalia A
May 27, 2020 03:44:58 PM by Bojan S
Hi Dalia,
I have merged your post on this thread as many users shared their great advice and a workaround on how to use the Upwork Desktop App on Chromebooks.
Thank you!
Jun 9, 2020 06:10:12 AM by Denae G
Very helpful information but can I get some assistance, when downloaded the app will not open.
Jun 21, 2020 07:45:25 AM by Sylvia D
Hi all,
I now have the tracker running, but the screenshots are still failing. Has anyone found a solution for this yet? I work 30+ hours for my biggest client who requires screenshots.
Thanks,
Jun 21, 2020 09:01:47 AM by Aleksandar D
Hi Sylvia,
I'm not sure what operating system you use, but it seems that it is ChromeOS. In case it is, please note that we don't have an available app for ChromeOS yet, but a lot of users have shared a workaround on how to use the Upwork Desktop App on ChromeOS. Please check out this post and other posts in this thread for more information on the workaround our users shared.
Thank you.
Jun 21, 2020 11:45:32 AM by Sylvia D
Thank you for your reply, but you linked to the thread I am currently in
The app seems to working fine, but it doesn't record my activity level and the screenshots fail, and yes I am talking about Chromebook 🙂
Is there any news about when the app will be available?
Jun 21, 2020 11:52:04 AM by Petra R
Sylvia D wrote:The app seems to working fine, but it doesn't record my activity level and the screenshots fail, and yes I am talking about Chromebook 🙂
For the time being, you need a non-Chromebook device. You can't properly work an hourly contract if all you have is a Chromebook.
Jun 21, 2020 01:48:50 PM by Sylvia D
I bought this Chromebook today. I usually work on my desktop but after 3+ months working with the kiddos around, I now finally invested in something which gives me a little bit more flexibility, as in enabling me to work away from where the kids are. Luckily this isn't my only device, and it will only be used ocassionally so I am hoping my client will let me add manual time or will accept tracked time without screenshots.
I am very disappointed Upwork. You earn so much money through all of us - I think the development of an app which we can use on a Chromebook is a must.
Aug 27, 2020 08:54:31 AM by Gemma D
Yes, my screenshots fail too and therefore after 10 minutes, my time stops tracking. You keep mentioning the workaround that the community has come up with many of us with Chromebook's are using this workaround, but are still unable to log our time.
What do you suggest we do?
Nov 6, 2020 02:08:29 AM by Argie D
I was able to download the tracker on my chromebook but still getting failed screenshots and does not record the time in my work diary. Any resolution on this matter?
Nov 6, 2020 03:57:50 AM by Nikola S
Hi Argie,
I checked and it seems that you already created a support ticket for the issue you are experiencing. Please allow more time for our team to review your case and respond accordingly to your ticket. You will be notified of their response.
Nov 26, 2020 04:33:51 PM by Stephen R
I'm getting the same thing. I know a little coding so I'll be digging into that to get a solution figured out but I'm not confident.
What a complete joke for UW. Honestly it's just sad that there are 6 pages of folks here that are trying to help UW profit and getting ZERO help YEARS later.
Dec 1, 2020 07:52:42 AM by Elena C
Hello,
Thank you so much for this and please thank your boyfriend. I successfully installed Linux and Upwork Desktop App. But when I open it through the terminal it is saying there isnt network connection but internet is connected. Do you have any troubleshooting ideas for this?
Dec 1, 2020 08:43:00 AM by Bojan S
Hi Elena,
You can check this thread for more information other users shared as well as this help article for troubleshooting tips on Linux OS.
Thank you!
Dec 2, 2020 07:24:57 AM by Elena C
Dec 2, 2020 12:18:35 PM by Matthew P
Dec 6, 2020 01:19:05 PM by Brittany H
I got all the way, but the app thats loaded states my internet connection isn't working (but it is) did you run into this problem ever?
Dec 23, 2020 03:21:47 PM Edited Dec 23, 2020 03:37:24 PM by Dian N
I have successfully installed the desktop app on my Chromebook through Linux (Beta). I was able to clock on the app, however, it kept saying Loading and never launched. Any thoughts?
Please disregard. I had it figured out. I needed to download the Debian-based 64-bit Beta from the https://www.upwork.com/ab/downloads/os/linux/ options.
Dec 23, 2020 05:40:07 PM by Joanne P
Hi Dian,
You may want to check this thread for helpful information other users shared as well as this help article for troubleshooting tips on Linux OS.
Dec 26, 2020 05:12:42 AM by Dean W
As an FYI to the Upwork Moderators, when people are saying they found a workaround it means that they managed to get the Upwork Time Tracker app to install on their Chromebooks, there is still an issue with the app taking screenshots with this workaround (and I noticed it doesn't record all the time correctly too - I worked for 47 minutes and it only recorded 30 minutes of my time).
Dec 26, 2020 09:12:31 AM by Sam A
Dec 26, 2020 09:44:32 AM by Dean W
Completely agreed! Frustrating that this thread has been open for years and Upwork still hasn't developed a ChromeOS app yet.
Dec 27, 2020 11:28:49 AM by Vladimir G
Hi Dean and Sam,
I understand your experience and suggestion but would like to reiterate that the Upwork Desktop app isn't officially supported on Chromebook. While we are deeply focused on supporting our users there are certain limitations on certain OSs that are preventing the app from operating as designed, which is why we strongly encourage users to use the app on supported OSs.
Dean, I checked your Work Diary and would like to offer advice regarding how the Upwork Desktop app is tracking user activity via private message if you like, since we can't discuss account-specific information publicly. Feel free to select my name > "Message" button if you'd like to discuss this further. In the meantime, please do check the "User Activity" section under the FAQ at the bottom of this Help article for more information.
Feb 12, 2021 08:50:28 AM by Ian G
Thank you Stephanie M. I was able to install my Upwork desktop app on my ChromeOS laptop. I also configure some system upgrades of my Linux and it works :).
Jun 9, 2021 03:23:53 PM Edited Jun 9, 2021 03:25:36 PM by Matthew P
As far as I recall,
No, It still does not have public approval and does not allow the application to take screenshots.
I believe this is due to a call function for WindowsOS in the Upwork application that is not supported inside Linux (including Debian-based variants), but I've never delved into the app's source code (Violations of ToU and what-not) so I can't make a formal statement as to what keeps it from working.
Jun 7, 2021 01:46:24 PM by Ann Swen V
Follow this TS, My timetracker is working but when it took a screenshot and when I saw the thumbnail for it it just has a big "failed to take screenshot" . I am using Google Chrome OS Version 91.0.4472.81 (Official Build) (64-bit) and running the desktop app by enabling Linux dev software