You can play Pokémon Go on a Chromebook

Pokémon Go, the mobile app that’s reignited the cult of Pokémon for millions of berserk, smartphone-wielding fans, works on Chromebooks. But only certain Chromebooks — those that already support Android apps and the Google Play Store.

GamesBeat got it running on Asus’ 2015 Chromebook Flip. Sort of. Here’s your step-by-step guide.

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Step 1: Rationalize

Why on earth would anyone want to run Pokémon Go on a Chromebook?

Maybe you’re sneaking the game at work — you are a terrible employee. Maybe your mobile addiction is aggravating your arthritis — same. Are we seriously going to try rationalizing this?

Moving on.

Step 2: Download Pokémon Go, grant permissions

The app downloaded smoothly for me on the first try, but I had to launch it twice before Pokémon Go prompted me to grant access to location data (via Wi-Fi, more on that later), contacts, and to take pictures and videos.

Boom.

Step 3: Log in

We didn’t bother creating a new account. The app already detected my colleague‘s Google accounts, which he’d already used to register for the service on mobile, so we went that route.

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Pokémon Go requires GPS to work properly. But — you saw this coming, didn’t you? — Chromebooks do not ship with built-in GPS. Without it, the game located us using the Wi-Fi network we’re connected to at VentureBeat’s San Francisco headquarters. As far as we can tell, the only way to change your location is to change your Wi-Fi network.

Step 4: Playing, finding bugs, no AR, and more!

GPS aside, the game pretty much works. You can collect items at Pokéstops, visit gyms, and even catch Pokémon — if you happen to find one at your location; if you’re desperate, you can always use incense to attract them.

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But AR doesn’t work.

Pokémon Go’s Chromebook AR experience failed tremendously for me. Without an accelerometer or rear-facing camera, you’ll just end up in an awkward selfie mode. To catch anything, you’ll have to turn AR mode off.

First catch attempt: Nope.

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On my first try, after tossing a Pokéball and catching a Pokémon, the game froze. I’ve encountered the same bug on my iPhone, too. So I quit the app and tried again.

Second catch attempt: It works!

GPS and AR issues aside, the game technically worked. Watch it in action below in all its glory:

Pokémon Go was not designed to run on Chromebooks. Let’s say that again: Pokémon Go was not designed to run on Chromebooks. But I enjoyed the experience all the same. You should try it too if you have one. Why not? Who needs to work? Productivity is dead.

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And remember. You are a dork. I am a dork. We are all giant dorks.