gThumb is a versatile image viewer and organizer for GNOME that offers a range of features suitable for both casual users and photographers. It supports various image formats and provides tools for editing, cataloging, and managing image collections. With gThumb, users can easily browse their photo libraries, perform basic editing tasks such as cropping and resizing, and organize their images into catalogs for easy retrieval. Its integration with the GNOME desktop environment ensures a seamless experience for Ubuntu users, making it a popular choice for those looking for a lightweight yet powerful image management tool.
On Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04, gThumb can be installed using two main methods. The first method involves using the Ubuntu APT default repository, which provides a stable and well-maintained version of gThumb that integrates smoothly with the system’s package management. Alternatively, users can install gThumb via Flatpak from Flathub, offering a more isolated environment and potentially access to newer versions that might not yet be available in the Ubuntu repository. This guide will walk you through both installation methods using the command line, ensuring that you can easily set up gThumb on your Ubuntu system.
Method 1: Install gThumb via Ubuntu Default Repository
Updating Ubuntu Before gThumb Installation
The first step in software installation is ensuring your Ubuntu system is up-to-date. This avoids potential conflicts during the installation and ensures you benefit from the latest security patches and system enhancements.
To proceed, open your terminal and enter the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Install gThumb via APT Command
The gThumb version in the APT repository is typically stable and secure. While it might not be the most recent release, experts have thoroughly tested it and recommend it for most users.
To install gThumb with APT, type the following command into your terminal:
sudo apt install gThumb
This command instructs APT to install the gThumb package. sudo allows the command to run with administrative privileges necessary for system-wide installations. apt install is the command to install a package, and gThumb is the name of the package we’re installing.
To stay updated with the newest version of gThumb, install it using the Flatpak method covered below.
Method 2: Install gThumb via Flatpak and Flathub
Flatpak offers a compelling alternative to traditional package management systems like APT. It’s a universal package management system that allows applications to run consistently across different Linux distributions. This means you can have the same version of an application with the same dependencies, regardless of the Linux distribution you’re using. It also often hosts more recent versions of applications, offering a distinct advantage for users wanting to stay on the bleeding edge of software updates.
Note: If your system does not have Flatpak installed, refer to our guide on “How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu” for step-by-step instructions on installing the most recent supported version of Flatpak.
Enabling Flathub For gThumb
Before installing gThumb using Flatpak, you must enable the Flathub repository on your system. Flathub is the de facto source for Flatpak applications, hosting a large selection of applications that are available for installation.
To enable Flathub, open your terminal and enter the following command:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration if it’s not already present (–if-not-exists), ensuring you can access a wide range of Flatpak applications, including gThumb.
Install gThumb via Flatpak Command
With Flathub now enabled, you’re ready to install gThumb using Flatpak. You can do this by executing the following command in your terminal:
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.gThumb -y
This command instructs Flatpak (flatpak install) to install the gThumb application (org.gnome.gThumb) from the Flathub repository (flathub). The -y option automatically answers ‘yes’ to any prompts, allowing the installation to proceed without further user interaction.
Launching gThumb on Ubuntu
After successfully installing gThumb using either the APT or Flatpak method, launch the application and enjoy its robust image viewing and editing capabilities.
CLI Methods to Launch gThumb
To launch gThumb from the terminal, type the following command and press Enter:
gthumb
This command tells your system to execute the gthumb application.
For those who installed gThumb using Flatpak, you can also launch it from the terminal with a slightly different command:
flatpak run org.gnome.gThumb
This command instructs Flatpak to run the org.gnome.gThumb application.
GUI Method to Launch gThumb
Alternatively, if you prefer a graphical interface, you can launch gThumb from your desktop’s Applications menu. Just follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Activities menu located in the top-right corner of your screen.
- Select Show Applications. This will display all the installed applications on your system.
- Scroll through the list or use the search bar to locate gThumb. Click on the gThumb icon to launch the application.
Additional gThumb Commands
Update gThumb
Keeping your applications up-to-date is important for ensuring optimal performance, security, and access to the latest features. gThumb is no exception. Depending on how you installed gThumb, you’ll use a different method to update it.
APT Update Method for gThumb
If you installed gThumb using the APT package manager, you would use the following command in your terminal to refresh the list of available packages and update your system:
sudo apt update
This command checks the repositories for updated packages and prepares your system to install them. It doesn’t perform the update itself.
Flatpak Update Method for gThumb
If you installed gThumb as a Flatpak, you can use this command to update all your installed Flatpak applications, including gThumb:
flatpak update
Remove gThumb
There may come a time when you no longer need gThumb on your system. In such cases, you can uninstall the application. As with updates, the method you use to remove gThumb depends on how you installed it.
APT Remove Method for gThumb
If you used APT to install gThumb, this is the command you’ll use to uninstall it:
sudo apt remove gthumb
Flatpak Remove Method for gThumb
If you installed gThumb as a Flatpak, use the following command to uninstall it:
flatpak remove --delete-data org.gnome.gThumb -y
This command removes the gThumb application and deletes its associated data.
Final Thoughts
By installing gThumb on Ubuntu via the APT default repository, you gain a stable, well-integrated image viewer and organizer. Alternatively, the Flatpak method offers access to potentially newer versions with a more isolated environment. After installation, you might want to explore gThumb’s cataloging features to better organize your photo library or try out its basic editing tools for quick image adjustments. Depending on your workflow, either installation method will provide a reliable way to manage your images on Ubuntu.