How to Install Chromium Browser on Linux Mint 22 or 21

For Linux Mint users looking to enhance their web browsing experience, learning how to install Chromium Browser on Linux Mint is a valuable step. Chromium, the open-source project behind Google Chrome, offers a fast, secure, and highly customizable web browser. This comprehensive guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to install Chromium Browser on Linux Mint 22 and 21 using three distinct methods: the standard APT repository, the community-driven XtraDebs PPA for more recent versions, or Flatpak via Flathub for a sandboxed installation.

Key Considerations Before You Begin

• System Compatibility: All methods outlined here are compatible with Linux Mint versions 22 and 21.
• Linux Mint and Third-Party Repositories: While the APT method uses official Linux Mint repositories, the XtraDebs PPA and Flathub methods are managed by third parties. Although widely trusted and safe, these repositories are not maintained by Linux Mint or the Chromium development team.

Install Chromium Browser on Linux Mint

This section provides detailed instructions for installing Chromium Browser using APT, the XtraDebs PPA, or Flatpak. Choose the method that suits your needs and system setup.

Update Your System

Before proceeding, update your system to avoid potential compatibility issues. Open your terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Install Chromium Browser via APT

Option 1: Using the Linux Mint Repository

The simplest way to install Chromium is through the Linux Mint repository, which provides a stable and officially supported version. Run the following command:

sudo apt install chromium-browser

After the installation completes, verify the version with:

chromium-browser --version

Option 2: Using the XtraDebs PPA

For those seeking the latest Chromium updates and features, the XtraDebs PPA is a reliable option. Begin by adding the XtraDebs repository to your system. Open your terminal and run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xtradeb/apps -y

After adding the repository, refresh the system’s package list to include the new repository:

sudo apt update

Next, install Chromium Browser from the XtraDebs PPA by entering the following command:

sudo apt install chromium

Once the installation is complete, verify the installed version of Chromium using:

chromium --version

To ensure your system prioritizes updates from the XtraDebs PPA, you can configure APT pinning. This helps your system fetch updates from the preferred repository over others, ensuring consistency and access to the latest Chromium features. APT pinning is particularly useful when multiple repositories contain the same package, as it allows you to set a priority for which repository to trust for updates.

Use this command to create a preferences file:

echo "Package: chromium
Pin: release o=LP-PPA-xtradeb-apps
Pin-Priority: 700" | sudo tee /etc/apt/preferences.d/chromium-pin

APT pinning is a method to control which repository a package is sourced from, giving users more control over their updates and ensuring a stable experience.

This setup ensures Chromium updates are fetched from the XtraDebs PPA whenever available.

Install Chromium Browser via Flatpak

Flatpak provides a secure, sandboxed environment for installing applications, offering enhanced compatibility across different Linux distributions. This method is particularly beneficial if you prefer an isolated environment for your apps.

To begin, you need to add the Flathub repository to your system. Open your terminal and run:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Adding the Flathub repository ensures that your system can access the wide range of applications it offers, including Chromium Browser.

Once Flathub is configured, install Chromium by entering:

flatpak install flathub org.chromium.Chromium

This command fetches and installs Chromium from the Flathub repository. After the installation is complete, verify the installed version and details using:

flatpak info org.chromium.Chromium

Flatpak’s sandboxed model isolates applications from the rest of the system, ensuring improved security and minimizing potential conflicts with other software.

With Chromium installed via Flatpak, you can now enjoy a secure browsing experience with the latest updates and features.

Launch Chromium Browser on Linux Mint

After completing the installation, you can start Chromium Browser using either the terminal or the graphical user interface (GUI). Choose the method that best suits your workflow.

Launch Using the Terminal

For a quick and efficient way to open Chromium, use the terminal. The command will depend on the APT installation source:

• If you installed Chromium from the Linux Mint repository, enter:

  chromium-browser

• If you installed Chromium from the XtraDebs PPA, enter:

  chromium

If you installed Chromium via Flatpak, use this command instead:

flatpak run org.chromium.Chromium

Both commands will launch the browser and make it ready for use.

Launch Using the Graphical Interface

For users who prefer a GUI, navigate to the Taskbar in Linux Mint. Open the Internet category and select Chromium Web Browser. This approach allows you to launch Chromium without using terminal commands.

With Chromium now installed and launched, you’re ready to browse the web on Linux Mint.

Update Chromium Browser on Linux Mint

Keeping Chromium Browser up-to-date ensures you have access to the latest features, performance improvements, and security fixes. The update process varies depending on the installation method.

Update Chromium Installed via APT

If you installed Chromium using APT (either from the Linux Mint repository or the XtraDebs PPA), update it by refreshing the package list and upgrading installed packages. Open your terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This command ensures that the latest version of Chromium is downloaded and installed from the respective repository.

Update Chromium Installed via Flatpak

For Flatpak installations, use the following command to check for and apply updates:

flatpak update

This command scans all installed Flatpak applications, including Chromium, for updates and applies them as needed.

Remove Chromium Browser from Linux Mint

If you no longer need Chromium Browser, you can remove it from your system using the appropriate method based on how it was installed.

Remove Chromium Installed via APT

If you installed Chromium through the Linux Mint repository or the XtraDebs PPA, use the appropriate command to uninstall it. Note that the package name differs based on the source:

• To remove Chromium installed from the Linux Mint repository:

  sudo apt remove chromium-browser

• To remove Chromium installed from the XtraDebs PPA:

  sudo apt remove chromium

These commands will remove the respective Chromium package from your system.

Remove Chromium Installed via Flatpak

If you installed Chromium using Flatpak, remove it by running:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.chromium.Chromium

This command deletes the application along with its data files. If you want to clean up unused Flatpak files after removal, you can run:

flatpak remove --unused

Relevant and Useful Links

• Chromium Browser on Flathub
  Explore the Flatpak version of Chromium and install it directly from Flathub.
• XtraDebs PPA on Launchpad
  View the XtraDebs PPA repository for the latest Chromium packages and more.
• XtraDebs Official Website
  Visit the official XtraDebs website for additional information and supported packages.
• Chromium Browser in Linux Mint Repository
  Search for Chromium packages in the Linux Mint official repository.

Wrapping Up Your Chromium Installation on Linux Mint

You’ve now walked through the various ways to install Chromium Browser on Linux Mint 22 and 21. Whether you opted for the straightforward APT method, the up-to-date XtraDebs PPA, or the isolated Flatpak installation, you’re equipped with a powerful, secure, and open-source browser. Each method offers different advantages, giving you the control to choose what best fits your Linux Mint setup.

With Chromium installed, you’re all set to enjoy a faster and more customizable web experience. This browser is a popular choice in the Linux community for good reason, offering solid performance for everything from daily browsing to development tasks. We hope this guide made the installation process clear and simple.

Share Your Chromium Experiences on Linux Mint!

Have questions, discovered a neat tip, or want to share your experience with Chromium on Linux Mint? We encourage you to drop a comment below! Your insights not only help us refine this guide but also enrich our community of Linux enthusiasts. Let’s learn from each other and make this resource even better.