Chromium Browser is the open-source version of Google Chrome, providing a fast, reliable, and secure browsing experience. It’s favored by developers and users who prefer a browser that offers a balance between performance and privacy. Chromium serves as the foundation for several other browsers, including Google Chrome, and supports a wide range of extensions and web standards, making it a versatile choice for both casual and power users.
On Debian 12 or 11, Chromium can be installed using two primary methods. The first method is via Debian’s default APT repository, which provides a stable and well-integrated version of Chromium, ensuring compatibility with the system’s package management. Alternatively, Chromium can be installed via Flatpak from Flathub, offering a sandboxed environment that isolates the browser from the rest of the system and may provide access to newer versions. This guide will walk you through both installation methods, helping you choose the best approach for your needs.
Method 1: Install Chromium Browser on Debian via APT
The first method is to install Chromium using Debian’s default APT repository. For those seeking an alternative method, check the next section and use Flatpak and Flathub to install Chromium on Debian.
Update Debian Before Chromium Installation
First, we must ensure that our Debian system’s packages are current. We will refresh the local package index to include the latest updates from the online repositories and upgrade all installed packages.
To accomplish this, enter the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgradeThe “sudo apt update” command fetches package information from all configured sources and updates the local package index. The “sudo apt upgrade” command then upgrades all currently installed packages to their latest versions based on the updated local package index.
Once your system is up to date, proceed to the next step.
Proceed to Install Chromium Browser via APT Command
Now that our system is up-to-date, we can install the Chromium browser. The APT package manager simplifies this task with its direct and streamlined approach.
Input the following command to commence the installation of the Chromium browser:
sudo apt install chromiumIn this command, “sudo apt install chromium” instructs APT to locate the Chromium package in the repositories, download it, and install it onto the system. The sudo at the beginning of the command allows these operations to be performed with superuser permissions, which are required for system-wide installations.
Method 2: Install Chromium Browser via Flatpak and Flathub
Flatpak is another universal package management tool boasting many benefits, such as application sandboxing, enhanced security, and seamless distribution across various Linux distributions. In this section, we’ll delve into how to utilize Flatpak, in conjunction with Flathub, to install Chromium.
Note: This requires installing Flatpak; if you have not installed it before, check out our guide on installing Flatpak on Debian.
Activate Flathub For Chromium Browser
Before we can leverage Flatpak to install Chromium, we must enable the Flathub repository, a significant hub for Flatpak applications. This step equips your system with access to a vast library of applications packaged in the Flatpak format, including Chromium.
To add the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, execute the following command:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoThe command flatpak remote-add –if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo instructs Flatpak to add Flathub as a remote repository, given that it isn’t already added (–if-not-exists).
Install Chromium Browser via Flatpak Command
With Flathub successfully added, you’re now ready to install Chromium. For this, we’ll utilize the flatpak install command to install the browser:
flatpak install flathub org.chromium.Chromium -yThis command flatpak install flathub org.chromium.Chromium -y directs Flatpak to locate (install) the Chromium package (org.chromium.Chromium) in the Flathub repository (flathub) and install it. The -y flag is used to automatically respond “yes” to any prompts during the installation process, facilitating a non-interactive installation.
Launching Chromium Browser
CLI Methods to Launch Chromium Browser
If you used APT or Flatpak to install Chromium, you can open it with this command:
chromiumFor those who installed Chromium via Flatpak, the command differs:
flatpak run org.chromium.ChromiumHere, flatpak run org.chromium.Chromium tells Flatpak to start the Chromium browser. The term org.chromium.Chromium is the unique name Flatpak assigns to the Chromium application.
GUI Method to Launch Chromium Browser
Some users prefer launching applications without the terminal. If that sounds like you, follow these steps to open Chromium using the graphical interface:
- Go to Show Applications.
- Type “Chromium Web Browser” in the search bar.
Additional Management Commands For Chromium Browser
Update Chromium Browser
Run the update command matching your installation method to update your browser.
APT Update Method For Chromium Browser
If you installed Chromium using the APT package manager, you can update the browser (along with all other software packages) using the following command:
sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgradeThis command first updates the local APT package index with the latest changes made in repositories. Following this, the upgrade command is used to install the latest versions of all the software packages on your Debian system.
Flatpak Update Method For Chromium Browser
When you use the Flatpak method to install the Chromium browser, update it by entering this command:
flatpak updateThe update command checks for updates in all enabled remote repositories and applies them. In the context of Chromium, it ensures that your browser runs the most recent version available on Flathub.
Remove Chromium Browser
Should there be a situation where Chromium no longer fits your requirements, you can easily uninstall the browser.
APT Method to Remove Chromium Browser
If you installed Chromium through the APT package manager, execute the following command:
sudo apt remove chromium-browserThis command will effectively remove the Chromium browser from your Debian system, freeing up system resources.
Flatpak Method Method to Remove Chromium Browser
For those who used the Flatpak method to install Chromium, use the command below:
flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.chromium.ChromiumThis command removes Chromium and deletes all related data, ensuring a clean uninstall.
Conclusion
Installing Chromium Browser on your Debian system via either the Debian default APT repository or Flatpak with Flathub provides you with a secure and high-performance browser. The Debian repository method ensures stability and easy integration, while Flatpak offers additional isolation and potentially newer versions. Regular updates through these methods will keep your Chromium installation up-to-date, providing you with a reliable and customizable browsing experience on Debian.