How to Install digiKam on Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04 and 22.04

digiKam helps you turn a loose folder of photos into a searchable desktop library with tags, ratings, metadata editing, geotagging, face recognition, and RAW workflow tools. This guide shows how to install digiKam on Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04, or 22.04 with APT, the official AppImage, Flatpak, or Snap, then covers launch commands, first-run setup, updates, troubleshooting, and clean removal. No PPA is needed because Ubuntu already packages digiKam in the Universe repository component.

Install digiKam on Ubuntu

Start with a standard package index refresh, then choose your installation method below.

Update Ubuntu Before Installing digiKam

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This guide uses sudo for commands that require elevated privileges. If your account is not configured for sudo, follow the LinuxCapable guide on how to add a new user to sudoers on Ubuntu.

Install digiKam with APT (Recommended)

The APT method is the most stable option for Ubuntu desktop users and integrates cleanly with system libraries.

digiKam is packaged in Ubuntu’s universe component. If a customized or minimal system cannot find the package, enable the component first with the LinuxCapable guide on how to enable Universe and Multiverse on Ubuntu.

sudo apt install digikam

Verify the APT digiKam Installation

dpkg-query -W -f='${Package} ${Version}\n' digikam

On Ubuntu 26.04, current output includes the 9.0 package branch. Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 show their own repository versions, as listed in the comparison section.

digikam 4:9.0.0-0ubuntu1

Choose Your digiKam Installation Method on Ubuntu

Use this comparison table to choose the right digiKam installation channel for your workflow.

Method	Source	Channel	Updates	Best Fit
APT	Ubuntu Universe	Ubuntu release package	Through normal APT updates	Most users who want the lowest maintenance path
Official AppImage	digiKam download page	Current upstream Linux AppImage	Manual replacement	Users who want the official portable bundle
Flatpak	Flathub	Flathub stable	Through Flatpak updates	Users who want a sandboxed store package and Flathub’s release cadence
Snap	Snapcraft (KDE publisher)	latest/stable	Automatic Snap refreshes	Users already using Snap packages

For most users, the APT method is recommended because it has the lowest maintenance cost and tracks Ubuntu package updates. Use the official AppImage or Flatpak when you prefer an upstream or store-managed release cadence, especially on older Ubuntu LTS releases where the APT package trails the current 9.0 branch.

Compare Default digiKam Versions by Ubuntu Release

APT package versions differ by Ubuntu release, while Flatpak and Snap use their own distribution channels.

Ubuntu Release	Default digiKam Package	Repository	Notes
Ubuntu 26.04	4:9.0.x	resolute/universe	Current Ubuntu default package branch
Ubuntu 24.04	4:8.2.x	noble-updates/universe	Stable LTS branch with updates
Ubuntu 22.04	4:7.5.x	jammy/universe	Older LTS branch

The install commands are the same across Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04, and 22.04, but APT delivers different digiKam versions by release.

Download the Official digiKam AppImage on Ubuntu

The official digiKam download page currently publishes a Linux x86_64 AppImage for digiKam 9.0.0. Use this method when you want the upstream portable bundle instead of a package-manager installation.

The official Linux download is an AppImage, not a native Ubuntu .deb installer. Use APT when you want a native Ubuntu package, or use the AppImage when you want the upstream portable bundle.

The current AppImage requires glibc 2.31 or newer. Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04, and 22.04 meet that requirement. If the AppImage does not start, install the FUSE compatibility package for your Ubuntu release.

On Ubuntu 26.04 or 24.04, install the FUSE compatibility package and curl:

sudo apt install libfuse2t64 curl

On Ubuntu 22.04, use the older FUSE package name:

sudo apt install libfuse2 curl

Download the AppImage and its SHA256 checksum into ~/Applications:

mkdir -p "$HOME/Applications"
cd "$HOME/Applications"
DIGIKAM_VERSION="9.0.0"
DIGIKAM_FILE="digiKam-${DIGIKAM_VERSION}-Qt6-x86-64.appimage"
curl -fLO "https://download.kde.org/stable/digikam/${DIGIKAM_VERSION}/${DIGIKAM_FILE}"
curl -fLO "https://download.kde.org/stable/digikam/${DIGIKAM_VERSION}/${DIGIKAM_FILE}.sha256"
sha256sum -c "${DIGIKAM_FILE}.sha256"
chmod +x "$DIGIKAM_FILE"
ln -sfn "$DIGIKAM_FILE" digiKam.AppImage

digiKam-9.0.0-Qt6-x86-64.appimage: OK

Start the AppImage from the same folder or use the stable symlink created above:

"$HOME/Applications/digiKam.AppImage"

The AppImage is a direct upstream download, so it does not update through APT, Flatpak, or Snap. Replace the file when digiKam publishes a newer AppImage.

Create a digiKam AppImage Update Helper on Ubuntu

If you plan to use the AppImage long term, create a memorable helper command named update-digikam. The helper reads KDE’s stable digiKam directory, selects the newest stable version folder, downloads the matching Qt6 x86_64 AppImage and SHA256 file, verifies the checksum, installs the file in ~/Applications, and refreshes the digiKam.AppImage symlink. Older AppImage files stay in place so you can roll back manually if needed.

sudo tee /usr/local/bin/update-digikam > /dev/null <<'EOF'
#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail

base_url="https://download.kde.org/stable/digikam"
app_dir="$HOME/Applications"
mkdir -p "$app_dir"

if ! command -v curl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
  echo "curl is required. Install it with: sudo apt install curl"
  exit 1
fi

version="$(
  curl -fsSL "$base_url/" |
    awk '{
      while (match($0, /href="[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\//)) {
        version = substr($0, RSTART + 6, RLENGTH - 6)
        sub(/\/$/, "", version)
        print version
        $0 = substr($0, RSTART + RLENGTH)
      }
    }' |
    sort -V |
    tail -n 1
)"

if [ -z "$version" ]; then
  echo "Could not resolve the latest stable digiKam AppImage version."
  exit 1
fi

file_name="digiKam-${version}-Qt6-x86-64.appimage"
appimage_url="$base_url/$version/$file_name"
checksum_url="$appimage_url.sha256"
tmp_dir="$(mktemp -d)"
trap 'rm -rf "$tmp_dir"' EXIT

echo "Resolved digiKam AppImage $version"
curl -fL --progress-bar -o "$tmp_dir/$file_name.sha256" "$checksum_url"
expected_sum="$(awk '{print $1; exit}' "$tmp_dir/$file_name.sha256")"

if [ -z "$expected_sum" ]; then
  echo "Checksum file did not contain a SHA256 value."
  exit 1
fi

target_file="$app_dir/$file_name"

if [ -f "$target_file" ]; then
  current_sum="$(sha256sum "$target_file" | awk '{print $1}')"
  if [ "$current_sum" = "$expected_sum" ]; then
    chmod +x "$target_file"
    ln -sfn "$file_name" "$app_dir/digiKam.AppImage"
    echo "digiKam AppImage $version is already current."
    echo "Launcher: $app_dir/digiKam.AppImage"
    exit 0
  fi
fi

curl -fL --progress-bar -o "$tmp_dir/$file_name" "$appimage_url"
(
  cd "$tmp_dir"
  sha256sum -c "$file_name.sha256"
)
install -m 755 "$tmp_dir/$file_name" "$target_file"
ln -sfn "$file_name" "$app_dir/digiKam.AppImage"
echo "Installed digiKam AppImage $version."
echo "Launcher: $app_dir/digiKam.AppImage"
EOF

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/update-digikam

Run the helper once after creating it. The command prints the resolved version, the checksum result, and the launcher path.

update-digikam

Install digiKam with Flatpak on Ubuntu

Flatpak is not installed by default on Ubuntu. The package comes from the Universe component, and the LinuxCapable guide on how to install Flatpak on Ubuntu covers the desktop-session details if you need a fuller walkthrough.

sudo apt install flatpak

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

The --system flag installs the Flathub remote for all local users, which matches the system-wide Flatpak commands used in this guide.

flatpak remotes --system | grep flathub

flathub  system

sudo flatpak install --system flathub org.kde.digikam

flatpak list --app --system --columns=application,version,branch,installation | grep '^org.kde.digikam'

org.kde.digikam  9.0.0  stable  system

Install digiKam with Snap on Ubuntu

Ubuntu includes Snap by default on standard installations. If snap is missing in minimal, WSL, or container environments, install it first with sudo apt install snapd.

sudo snap install digikam

snap list digikam

Name     Version  Rev  Tracking       Publisher  Notes
digikam  8.8.0    103  latest/stable  kde**      -

Snap versions and revisions can change as the store refreshes. Confirm the row exists and the Tracking column shows latest/stable.

Use digiKam Source Code on Ubuntu

If you need a development build, plugin development workflow, or contribution checkout, follow the upstream digiKam Git build documentation. Source builds are advanced, can change when digiKam updates its Qt or KDE Frameworks requirements, and are usually unnecessary for normal Ubuntu desktop installs.

Launch digiKam on Ubuntu

Use the launch command that matches your install method.

Launch digiKam from Terminal on Ubuntu

APT installs use the standard command name:

digikam

AppImage launch command:

"$HOME/Applications/digiKam.AppImage"

Flatpak launch command:

flatpak run org.kde.digikam

Snap launch command:

snap run digikam

Launch digiKam from the Ubuntu Applications Menu

Open the applications menu, search for digiKam, and start the app from its launcher icon.

Configure digiKam After Installation on Ubuntu

On first launch, digiKam starts a setup wizard for collections, database location, and optional binary components.

Set the digiKam Collection Location on Ubuntu

Choose where digiKam stores your photo library database and where your image folders live. You can add or change collection paths later in digiKam settings.

Download Optional digiKam Binary Components for Face Recognition

If prompted, allow digiKam to download optional binary components for machine-learning features such as face recognition.

Start Managing Photos in digiKam on Ubuntu

After setup, digiKam indexes your configured collection and opens the main workspace for albums, tags, ratings, search, and metadata editing.

digiKam runs on GNOME, KDE Plasma, and other Linux desktop environments. If you want tighter KDE integration, see the LinuxCapable guide on how to install KDE Plasma on Ubuntu.

Update digiKam on Ubuntu

Use the update command that matches your install method.

Update APT digiKam on Ubuntu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install --only-upgrade digikam

dpkg-query -W -f='${Package} ${Version}\n' digikam

digikam 4:9.0.0-0ubuntu1

Update AppImage digiKam on Ubuntu

If you created the AppImage update helper, run it whenever you want to check for a newer official stable AppImage. It downloads a new file only when the current checksum differs; otherwise, it refreshes the executable bit and symlink.

update-digikam

If you did not create the helper, repeat the manual AppImage download and checksum steps from the AppImage installation section with the current upstream version.

Update Flatpak digiKam on Ubuntu

sudo flatpak update --system org.kde.digikam

flatpak list --app --system --columns=application,version,branch,installation | grep '^org.kde.digikam'

org.kde.digikam  9.0.0  stable  system

Update Snap digiKam on Ubuntu

sudo snap refresh digikam

snap list digikam

Name     Version  Rev  Tracking       Publisher  Notes
digikam  8.8.0    103  latest/stable  kde**      -

Remove digiKam from Ubuntu

Use the uninstall path for the method you originally chose.

Remove APT digiKam from Ubuntu

sudo apt remove --purge digikam

Preview dependency cleanup before removing anything else:

sudo apt autoremove --dry-run

If the preview lists only packages you no longer need, run the real cleanup:

sudo apt autoremove

if dpkg -l digikam | grep -q '^ii'; then echo "digikam package is still installed"; else echo "digikam package not installed"; fi

digikam package not installed

Remove AppImage digiKam from Ubuntu

If you created the update helper, remove it first:

sudo rm -f /usr/local/bin/update-digikam
hash -r 2>/dev/null || true

if [ -e /usr/local/bin/update-digikam ]; then echo "digiKam AppImage helper still exists"; else echo "digiKam AppImage helper removed"; fi

digiKam AppImage helper removed

Review the files that match the AppImage install path before removing them:

ls -1 "$HOME/Applications"/digiKam-*-Qt6-x86-64.appimage* "$HOME/Applications/digiKam.AppImage" 2>/dev/null

If the list only contains digiKam AppImage files, remove them:

rm -f "$HOME/Applications"/digiKam-*-Qt6-x86-64.appimage "$HOME/Applications"/digiKam-*-Qt6-x86-64.appimage.sha256 "$HOME/Applications/digiKam.AppImage"

if [ -e "$HOME/Applications/digiKam.AppImage" ]; then echo "digiKam AppImage still exists"; else echo "digiKam AppImage removed"; fi

digiKam AppImage removed

Remove Flatpak digiKam from Ubuntu

sudo flatpak uninstall --system --delete-data org.kde.digikam

flatpak list --app --system --columns=application | grep '^org.kde.digikam' || echo "org.kde.digikam not installed"

org.kde.digikam not installed

Remove Snap digiKam from Ubuntu

sudo snap remove digikam

snap list digikam || echo "digikam snap package not installed"

digikam snap package not installed

Remove digiKam User Data from Ubuntu

These commands permanently delete local digiKam settings, databases, and thumbnails. Export metadata or back up your digiKam database first if you need to keep your catalog state.

rm -rf ~/.config/digikamrc ~/.config/digikam/
rm -rf ~/.local/share/digikam/ ~/.cache/digikam/
rm -rf ~/.var/app/org.kde.digikam/

These removals do not delete your original photo files unless your photo library is stored inside one of the deleted digiKam data paths.

Troubleshoot digiKam on Ubuntu

Fix AppImage FUSE Errors on Ubuntu

If the official AppImage fails before digiKam opens, the most common cause is a missing FUSE compatibility library. Install the package for your Ubuntu release, then run the AppImage again.

Ubuntu 26.04 and 24.04 use libfuse2t64:

sudo apt install libfuse2t64

Ubuntu 22.04 uses libfuse2:

sudo apt install libfuse2

Fix “digikam: command not found” After Ubuntu Installation

If you installed digiKam from AppImage, Flatpak, or Snap, the digikam command may not exist in your shell path.

bash: digikam: command not found

Flatpak launch command:

flatpak run org.kde.digikam

AppImage launch command:

"$HOME/Applications/digiKam.AppImage"

Snap launch command:

snap run digikam

For Flatpak or Snap installs, verify the package source you installed. Run the command that matches your package format:

flatpak list --app --system --columns=application,version,branch,installation | grep '^org.kde.digikam'

org.kde.digikam  9.0.0  stable  system

snap list digikam

Name     Version  Rev  Tracking       Publisher  Notes
digikam  8.8.0    103  latest/stable  kde**      -

Conclusion on Installing digiKam on Ubuntu

You can now install digiKam on Ubuntu with a method that matches your maintenance style: APT for the lowest maintenance path, the official AppImage with a checksum-verified update helper, Flatpak for Flathub updates, or Snap for automatic refreshes. For broader photo workflows, review LinuxCapable guides for Darktable on Ubuntu and GIMP on Ubuntu.