How to Install Falkon Browser on Ubuntu 24.04/22.04/20.04

Falkon Browser, once known as QupZilla, is an open-source web browser that prides itself on being lightweight and highly customizable. Designed for users who desire a fuss-free and efficient internet surfing experience, Falkon stands out by integrating seamlessly with the native look and feel of your desktop environment. It’s not just about aesthetics; Falkon has features that prioritize privacy and functionality. Below are key aspects that make Falkon a browser worth considering:

• Lightweight Design: Optimized for speed, it ensures quick page loads and smooth browsing.
• User Privacy: Built-in AdBlock and tracking protection to safeguard your online activities.
• Customizable Interface: Offers a range of themes and extensions to tailor your browsing experience.
• Integration: Seamlessly blends with desktop environments for a cohesive user experience.
• Open Source: Ensures transparency and the opportunity for community contributions.
• Cross-Platform: Available on multiple operating systems, ensuring a consistent experience.
• User-Friendly: Focuses on ease of use without sacrificing advanced features.
• Efficient Resource Use: Minimizes system resource consumption, ideal for older hardware.

Now, the guide will demonstrate three different methods to install Falkon Browser on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS versions using the command-line terminal with APT, Snap, or Flatpak with Flathub for alternative installation methods. This same method should also work with non-LTS release versions still supported by Ubuntu.

Method 1: Install Falkon Browser via APT

Update Ubuntu System Packages Before Falkon Installation

The first step in our journey is to ensure our system packages are up-to-date. This involves two tasks – refreshing our local software list and upgrading our system’s existing software.

Open your Terminal application and input the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Upon entering these commands and hitting Enter, your system might prompt you for your password as you’re trying to execute commands with sudo. Post entering the password, if there are any updates to install, your system will ask for a confirmation. Hit Y and Enter to proceed.

Install Falkon Browser via APT Command

After ensuring your system is up to date, it’s time to install Falkon. Ubuntu’s repositories include a wide range of software that Ubuntu officially supports and maintains. Falkon is included in these repositories, making its installation a one-command affair.

The command we’ll use here is sudo apt install falkon.

Here’s what this command means:

• install: This sub-command tells apt to install a new package.
• falkon: This is the name of the package we want to install.

In your Terminal application, input the following command:

sudo apt install falkon

APT will calculate Falkon’s required dependencies and request your confirmation to install them. Press Y and Enter to proceed. Next, APT will download and install the necessary packages on your system.

Method 2: Install Falkon Browser via Snap

Snap is a software deployment system and package management framework that Canonical, the developers of Ubuntu, developed. They designed it to simplify the installation and maintenance of software across various Linux distributions.

Verifying Snap’s Presence in Your System

Canonical includes Snap with most Ubuntu distributions by default. However, ensure it’s installed by quickly running the following command:

sudo apt install snapd -y

This command triggers the installation of the Snap Daemon (snapd) on your system. Snap Daemon is a background service responsible for managing and maintaining Snap packages on your system.

Installing the Core Snap

Installing the ‘ core ‘ Snap is essential before we begin installing the Falkon browser. This core Snap is a foundation for other Snaps, offering necessary libraries and services on which they depend. This precautionary step aids in avoiding potential conflicts or issues that might surface in the future. To install the core Snap, input the following command:

sudo snap install core

Install Falkon Browser on Ubuntu via Snap Command

We’re ready to install the Falkon browser after fulfilling all the prerequisites. Run the following command to execute the installation:

sudo snap install falkon

Method 3: Install Falkon Browser via Flatpak and Flathub

Flatpak is a universal package management system designed for Linux. While it has some similarities with Snap, Flatpak stands out because of its unique sandboxing feature. This feature creates a secure, isolated environment for applications, separating them from the rest of the system. This separation boosts system security and reduces the chance of software conflicts.

Note: It’s crucial to point out that if your system does not currently support Flatpak, it must be installed before this. For a comprehensive guide on installing the most recent supported version of Flatpak on Ubuntu, we recommend visiting our detailed guide on installing Flatpak.

Enable Flathub Repository for Falkon Browser

Our first action in installing Falkon using Flatpak is enabling the Flathub repository. Flathub serves as a trusted distribution platform for Flatpak applications. Like an online app store, it grants access to an extensive array of applications ready for installation.

To incorporate the Flathub repository into your system’s configuration, run the following command in your terminal:

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

Upon executing the above command, the Flathub repository integrates smoothly into your Flatpak configuration. This integration broadens your access to many applications, including the Falkon browser.

Install Falkon on Ubuntu via Flatpak Command

With the Flathub repository successfully integrated into your system, the subsequent step involves the installation of the Falkon browser. This procedure utilizes the flatpak install command. The specific command for installing the Falkon browser is as follows:

flatpak install flathub org.kde.falkon -y

This command initiates the download and installation of the Falkon browser from the Flathub repository, ensuring that you secure the latest stable version of the application.

Starting Falkon Browser on Ubuntu

After successfully installing the Falkon Browser on your Ubuntu system, you can launch the application. You can start Falkon using the command-line interface (CLI) or the graphical user interface (GUI).

CLI Methods to Launch Falkon Browser

The command-line interface is an essential tool in the Linux environment. This tool makes it easier to start applications like the Falkon Browser. Depending on your chosen installation method—APT, Snap, or Flatpak—the sections below outline how to launch Falkon Browser with specific command sets.

APT Falkon Browser Launch Command

falkon

Flatpak Falkon Browser Launch Command

snap run falkon

Snap Falkon Browser Launch Command

flatpak run org.kde.falkon

This command sets Falkon Browser in motion, provided the installation is successful.

GUI Method to Launch Falkon Browser

For individuals inclined towards a more visual orientation, Ubuntu’s graphical user interface (GUI) presents an alternative avenue to launch the Falkon Browser. Here’s the detailed, step-by-step procedure:

• First, you will need to access the Activities menu, which is conveniently located at the upper-left corner of your desktop screen.
• Secondly, select the ‘Show Applications’ icon. This is the dot grid icon positioned at the lower end of the Activities overlay.
• Following this, search for Falkon Browser. You can manually peruse through your applications or employ the search bar for a quicker find.
• To conclude, start the Falkon Browser by clicking the Falkon icon. This action commences the browser, readying it for your browsing tasks.

Additional Falkon Browser Commands

This section emphasizes executing command-line operations to update and uninstall this Internet browsing application. We will discuss commands specific to various package managers, including APT, Snap, and Flatpak.

Update Falkon Browser

Keeping your software applications current is paramount in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Consistent updates introduce new features and provide vital security patches and performance enhancements. Hence, gaining familiarity with different package manager commands to update the Falkon Browser becomes an important skill.

APT Update Method For Falkon Browser

The Advanced Package Tool (APT) is a popular package management utility in Ubuntu. To update the Falkon Browser with APT, follow two steps. First, refresh the package list to show the latest versions of all packages. Next, start the upgrade command to apply the updates. Here are the commands for these operations:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade falkon

Snap Update Method For Falkon Browser

Snap, a software packaging and deployment system formulated by Canonical, offers a straightforward way to update the Falkon Browser. Use the command It’sw to accomplish this:

sudo snap refresh falkon

It’s worth noting that if you install Falkon Browser as a snap package, it updates automatically. Snaps refresh daily in the background.

Flatpak Update Method For Falkon Browser

Flatpak is a utility that offers software deployment, package management, and application virtualization in Linux environments. To conduct a Falkon Browser update via Flatpak, use the command given below:

sudo flatpak update org.kde.falkon

Remove Falkon Browser

There might be circumstances when you need to remove Falkon Browser from your Ubuntu Linux system. The forthcoming subsections will clarify the process required to execute this operation.

APT Remove Command Method For Falkon Browser

To uninstall Falkon Browser using APT, execute the command below:

sudo apt remove falkon

Snap Remove Command Method For Falkon Browser

Removing Falkon Browser using Snap is as straightforward as issuing the following command:

sudo snap remove falkon

Flatpak Remove Command Method For Falkon Browser

Lastly, to uninstall Falkon Browser using Flatpak, use the command below:

sudo flatpak uninstall org.kde.falkon

To conclude, managing the Falkon Browser on your Ubuntu Linux platform involves a series of commands specific to the package manager used for installation.

Closing Thoughts

In wrapping up, this guide walked you through installing Falkon Browser on Ubuntu, offering three different pathways: the straightforward APT method and the alternative Snap or Flatpak options for those who like a bit more flexibility. We hope you found the steps clear and manageable. Falkon is a great choice if you’re after a browser that’s light on your system but doesn’t skimp on features, especially if privacy and customization are high on your list. Don’t forget to explore its settings and extensions to make it your own. Happy browsing!