Because of its rendering engine, Blink, which processes online pages swiftly, Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers. It also has an intuitive UI that even inexperienced people can use. Chrome is the greatest choice if you’re searching for an Ubuntu browser that is dependable and packed with features. To install Google Chrome on Ubuntu, follow this article, which will walk you through various installation options, Chrome upgrading procedures, and how to make a desktop icon.
5-Methods to Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu
One of the main advantages of using Google Chrome on Ubuntu is that it has a large number of extensions available, which enhance its functionality by providing you with access to a variety of programs. But bear in mind that Chrome may use more system resources than alternative web browsers that are lighter and have less features. This tutorial will walk you through the installation of Google Chrome in five different ways. I’ll use Ubuntu 24.04 as an example.
Method 1: Through Google Chrome Deb File
The advantage of utilizing a deb file for package installation is that you can obtain the most recent version straight from the official source. The deb files are specifically application setup files for Detain-based Linux versions like Ubuntu. For Google Chrome, go to the Google download page and download the deb file. Next, after clicking the “Download Now” option, choose the system architecture and agree to the terms and conditions:
As an alternative, you can download the Google Chrome deb file on Ubuntu by using the following command:
After the file has been downloaded, install the Chrome browser with the apt or dpkg package manager:
An alert asking to make Google Chrome your preferred browser and provide Google usage statistics will show up when you launch the browser on Ubuntu for the first time. Depending on your preference, you can deselect any of the following:
The browser will then open:
Method 2: Through Ubuntu Default Package Manager
One of the simplest methods for installing the Chrome browser on Ubuntu is to use the apt package manager. To install Chrome, use the following command:
The Google browser can be opened in the terminal by using the google-chrome command, or by using the Ubuntu program menu:
Method 3: Through Flatpak App Installer
Using the Flathub repository is the third way to install the Google browser. One thing you should be aware of is that this package has not been verified, so there’s a chance it could cause problems. Using Flatpak, install Google Chrome on Ubuntu by running:
After installing Google Chrome using Flatpak, use the following command to open it:
Method 4: Through Chrome Official Repository
You can use this method even if the Google Chrome package is automatically installed in the apt package manager. If, however, you have removed the Google Chrome repository from Ubuntu. Therefore, use the following command to save the validation key for the Google browser repository before adding it:
Next, run the following command to download the official Chrome browser repository and store it to the sources.list directory:
Update the Ubuntu apt package manager’s package list now:
After adding the Chrome browser repository successfully, use the following command to install it on Ubuntu using this repository:
Method 5: Through GDebi Package Manager
Regretfully, the recently installed Ubuntu 24.04 lacks a software install program. Nevertheless, you can use the GDebi package manager to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu using a GUI. For this, though, you will require a Google Chrome Deb file. After downloading the file, open the file manager and choose the Open With option from the menu that appears when you right-click on the deb file:
Now in the Open With menu, choose the GDebi Package Installer:
After that, the file will open in GDebi automatically. To install the package, just click on it.
To exit the setup wizard after the installation is finished, use the close option:
Next, open Google Chrome from the menu within the Ubuntu application:
Note: GDebi comes with both a command line and graphical user interface, and is not installed by default on Ubuntu. The procedure for installing applications using the command line version is the same as that of the apt package manager. Moreover, use the Ubuntu App Center to install the GDebi GUI version.
How to Update Google Chrome on Ubuntu
Use the following command to update your Ubuntu Chrome browser if it is outdated.
How to Create Google Chrome Desktop Icon on Ubuntu
Since web browsers act as a conduit between users and the World Wide Web, they are widely used programs. Therefore, in that scenario, accessibility is quite important. The desktop icon for the Google Chrome browser is not created when it is installed on Ubuntu; instead, look for the google-chrome.desktop file in the programs directory.
After copying the file to the desktop, you should notice a cross, indicating that it is not executable. Choose Allow Launching from the menu that appears when you right-click on it.
After that, just double-click on it to open the Chrome browser, as shown in the screenshot below:
As an alternative, you can look for the Google browser icon in the applications menu and add it to the taskbar. Next, choose Pin to Dash from the right-click menu:
Conclusion
There are five distinct ways to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu: GDebi package management, Chrome official repository, apt package manager, Google Chrome Deb file, and Flatpak software installer. Use the GDebi package manager or the apt package installer if you want to install Chrome using a graphical user interface (GUI).
