Is there a way to modify the hosts file in Chrome OS?

/etc/hosts

The file is read only, so trying to modify it using sudo vim does not work.

I have read that disabling root filesystem verification would make editing the hosts file possible, but would also make you loose Chrome OS auto update.

sudo /usr/share/vboot/bin/make_dev_ssd.sh --remove_rootfs_verification --partitions 2

Is there any way to modify the hosts file without loosing automatic updates?

Thanks for your help.

EDIT: Just to specify, I am using an Acer C7 Chromebook with developer mode enable.

Bricknix

Posted 2013-05-14T03:11:41.593

Reputation: 231

I ran the above make_dev_ssd command and rebooted, but I sill can't edit anything in /etc with sudo. What else do we need to do? I tried remounting / with rw, but it complains that the partition is write-protected. – trusktr – 2017-05-17T05:19:05.500

You should be able to modify the permissions of the file by using sudo cmod have you tried that? – Ramhound – 2013-05-14T11:46:23.513

I have tried sudo chmod, does not work and instead outputs chmod: changing permissions of ‘hosts’: Read-only file system. – Bricknix – 2013-05-14T21:03:35.700

You will have to use the command you found to do it then. – Ramhound – 2013-05-14T23:09:13.230

Answers

There are two options available:

1) Edit the hosts file from a Developer Chromebook:

sudo /usr/share/vboot/bin/make_dev_ssd.sh --remove_rootfs_verification --partitions 2

You will lose changes to the hosts file when ChromeOS does update again. Updates can be disabled by creating the file /mnt/stateful_partition/etc/lsb-release that contains the following 2 lines:

CHROMEOS_RELEASE_VERSION=9999.9999.9999.9999
GOOGLE_RELEASE=9999.9999.9999.9999

2) Using a Chrome extension

This topic is discussed thoroughly in this question: Simulate manipulation of the etc/hosts file in Google Chrome -- it is debated as to whether any of the extensions actually work the same as a hosts file modification.

AWippler

Posted 2013-05-14T03:11:41.593

Reputation: 237

4Looks like the proxy-extension that is being linked to here has been removed. – creuzerm – 2016-08-04T15:46:01.480

Unfortunately, I do not know either how to modify the host file without disabling the auto-update functionality, but depending on what you want to use that host file for, you could try installing a Chrome extension that has similar functionality as the host file.

For instance, there is Block Site for making your own list of sites you want to block. There is AdBlock Plus for blocking ads. And there is Rescue Time Dashboard for keeping track of which sites you spend most of your time on.

Stephan Branczyk

Posted 2013-05-14T03:11:41.593

Reputation: 176

If you want to change your hosts file so you can point back to 127.0.0.1 then can I suggest http://readme.localtest.me/.

MartinC

Posted 2013-05-14T03:11:41.593

Reputation: 171

Recommend adding A records to your DNS server to point to your local resources. For example, CloudFlare managed DNS or other. That way you can easily point any domain name such as "local.yourdomain.com" to 127.0.0.1

sean2078

Posted 2013-05-14T03:11:41.593

Reputation: 362

did you try remounting the partition as rw? I don't have a chromebook, but have had this issue on other platforms...

mount / -o remount, rw

https://sites.google.com/site/cr48ite/getting-technical/remove-rootfs-verification-make-read-write

hth

driz

Posted 2013-05-14T03:11:41.593

Reputation: 241

Hosts file for Chromebook?

Answers

1) Edit the hosts file from a Developer Chromebook:

2) Using a Chrome extension