DeSmuME is an open-source Nintendo DS emulator that brings handheld classics to Ubuntu. It supports save states, controller remapping, and configurable rendering filters—making it practical for revisiting DS-era games without original hardware.
You can install DeSmuME using Ubuntu’s APT repositories or Flatpak from Flathub. The APT method integrates with system updates, while Flatpak runs the emulator in a sandbox and typically provides newer builds. Below are complete instructions for both methods, plus launch commands, update steps, and removal commands.
Choose Your DeSmuME Installation Method
The APT package typically lags behind upstream releases but receives security patches through Ubuntu’s update cycle. The Flatpak build tracks upstream more closely and runs isolated from system libraries.
| Method | Channel | Version | Updates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APT (Ubuntu repos) | Ubuntu Repos | Distribution default | With system updates | Most users who prefer distro packages |
| Flatpak (Flathub) | Flathub | Upstream-packaged build | With Flatpak updates | Users who prefer sandboxed desktop apps |
For most users, the APT method is recommended because it is simple and integrates cleanly with Ubuntu’s normal update workflow. Choose Flatpak if you prefer a sandboxed installation managed separately from system packages.
Method 1: Install DeSmuME via APT
Update Your Ubuntu System Before DeSmuME Installation
Before installing DeSmuME, refresh your package index and apply any available updates. This helps avoid install issues caused by outdated package metadata or dependency changes.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeInstall DeSmuME on Ubuntu via APT Command
Ubuntu provides DeSmuME in the default repositories. This method is simple, integrates with APT upgrades, and is a good fit if you prefer distro-packaged software.
Install DeSmuME with APT:
sudo apt install desmumeIf you want a quick confirmation that the APT package installed correctly, check that dpkg reports it as installed:
dpkg -l | grep -E '^ii\s+desmume\s'ii desmume <version> <arch> Nintendo DS emulator
If you prefer a sandboxed build from Flathub, follow the Flatpak method below.
Method 2: Install DeSmuME via Flatpak and Flathub
Flatpak provides a sandboxed installation that typically runs a newer DeSmuME build than the APT package. Ubuntu ships Snap by default, so you need to install Flatpak separately if you want access to Flathub apps.
Flatpak is not pre-installed on Ubuntu. If you have not set it up yet, follow our Flatpak installation guide for Ubuntu to install Flatpak and add the Flathub repository (usually takes just a few minutes).
Enabling Flatpak for DeSmuME Installation
Add the Flathub repository if you have not already done so:
sudo flatpak remote-add --system --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoInstall DeSmuME on Ubuntu via Flatpak Command
Install DeSmuME from Flathub:
sudo flatpak --system install -y flathub org.desmume.DeSmuMETo verify the Flatpak installation, list installed Flatpak apps and confirm the DeSmuME ID is present:
sudo flatpak --system list --app | grep org.desmume.DeSmuMEDeSmuME Team org.desmume.DeSmuME <version> stable system
This method installs DeSmuME as a sandboxed Flatpak app and is often a good choice if you want a more self-contained desktop installation.
Launch DeSmuME from the Applications Menu or Terminal
Launching DeSmuME via the Applications Menu
The Flatpak build always installs a desktop launcher. The APT package on Ubuntu 22.04 also includes a menu entry, but the Ubuntu 24.04 APT package ships only the desmume-cli command-line binary without desktop integration files.
Your path to open DeSmuME would then be as follows:
Activities > Show Applications > DeSmuMEIf you installed the APT package on Ubuntu 24.04 and do not see a menu launcher, launch DeSmuME from the terminal using the commands in the next section.
Launch DeSmuME from Terminal
DeSmuME can also be launched via the Terminal for those who prefer command-line interactions. The method varies slightly depending on whether you installed DeSmuME using the standard APT or Flatpak methods.
If you installed DeSmuME using the APT method, the executable name depends on your Ubuntu release. On Ubuntu 24.04, use desmume-cli. On Ubuntu 22.04, you can use desmume (and desmume-cli is also available).
desmume-cliIf your shell cannot find the command, try launching it with the full path:
/usr/games/desmume-cliOn Ubuntu 22.04, you can also launch the APT package with desmume:
desmumeIf needed, run it using the full path:
/usr/games/desmumeHowever, if your installation was done using Flatpak, the command changes to flatpak run org.desmume.DeSmuME.
flatpak run org.desmume.DeSmuMEManaging DeSmuME
This section shows how to update DeSmuME and remove it cleanly, depending on the installation method you chose.
Update DeSmuME
The update process depends on whether you installed DeSmuME with APT or Flatpak.
APT Method of Updating DeSmuME
If you installed DeSmuME using the APT method, refresh your package lists first, then upgrade DeSmuME (or upgrade your full system). To update DeSmuME with APT, use the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade desmumeFlatpak Method of Updating DeSmuME
If you installed DeSmuME using Flatpak, update it with the following command:
sudo flatpak --system update org.desmume.DeSmuMEUninstalling DeSmuME
At some point, you might want to uninstall DeSmuME. As with the update process, uninstallation depends on your original installation method.
APT Method
If you installed DeSmuME with APT, remove the package with the following command:
sudo apt remove desmumeOnce DeSmuME is removed, you can also clean up any unused dependencies:
sudo apt autoremoveFlatpak Method
If you installed DeSmuME with Flatpak, uninstall it and remove associated app data using --delete-data:
sudo flatpak --system uninstall --delete-data org.desmume.DeSmuME -yIf you installed DeSmuME with Flatpak, you can remove unused runtimes afterward with sudo flatpak --system uninstall --unused.
If you want to explore other emulation options on Ubuntu, RetroArch is a popular front-end that supports multiple systems: How to Install RetroArch on Ubuntu Linux.
Conclusion
You now have DeSmuME installed on Ubuntu using either APT or Flatpak, along with clear commands for launching, updating, and removing it. If you run into performance issues, explore DeSmuME’s graphics and emulation settings to find a balance that fits your hardware and the games you play.
