How to Install Telegram on Fedora 40 or 39

Telegram is a fast, secure, and versatile messaging platform that offers a range of features including encrypted messaging, large file sharing, and cloud-based storage. With its support for groups, channels, bots, and customizable themes, Telegram is not just a messaging app but a comprehensive communication tool suitable for both personal and professional use. Its cross-platform availability makes it accessible on various devices, ensuring seamless communication across desktop, mobile, and web platforms.

For users on Fedora 40 or 39, Telegram can be installed using either RPM Fusion or Flatpak from Flathub. RPM Fusion provides a straightforward way to install the latest stable version of Telegram, integrating well with Fedora’s package management system. Alternatively, Flatpak offers a more isolated environment, which is beneficial for users who prioritize security or prefer the sandboxing that Flatpak provides. This guide will walk you through the installation process using both methods, allowing you to select the best approach for your Fedora setup.

Method 1: Install Telegram via RPM Fusion

Update Fedora Before Telegram Installation

To prevent system conflicts during Telegram installation on Fedora, updating all existing packages first is recommended. Use the command below in your terminal.

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Import RPM Fusion

The recommended method for installing Telegram on Fedora is using the RPM Fusion third-party repository. Use the commands below to import RPM Fusion free and non-free repositories into your terminal:

sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

Install Telegram via DNF Command

To install Telegram, execute the following command using the dnf package manager.

sudo dnf install telegram

Method 2: Install Telegram via Flatpak and Flathub

The second method to install Telegram on Fedora is using the Flatpak package manager, which comes pre-installed on Fedora. Flatpak is a universal package management system that allows users to install and run applications across multiple Linux distributions. It provides sandboxed environments for applications, ensuring they run independently of the host system.

Flathub is a community-driven Flatpak repository that hosts many Flatpak packages. It’s a platform where developers can distribute their applications to a broader audience while users discover and install new applications effortlessly. To use Flathub, add it as a remote repository to your Flatpak setup.

Enable Flathub for Telegram Installation

First, you need to enable Flathub for Fedora using the following command in your terminal:

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

Install Telegram via Flatpak Command

After that, you can install Telegram by executing the following command:

flatpak install flathub org.telegram.desktop

Telegram Flatpak Troubleshooting

The error message below is a familiar problem users may encounter when installing a Flatpak from Flathub on Fedora.

"error: Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can't fetch summary from disabled remote 'flathub,"

Fixing this issue is simple. To enable Flathub, execute the following command:

sudo flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

Launching Telegram

After installing the Telegram client, you can launch it from your terminal using the following command or the application icon.

CLI Commands to Launch Telegram

To launch via CLI, execute the command below.

telegram

For Flatpak users, launching the Telegram client requires executing the command below in a terminal instance.

flatpak run org.telegram.desktop

GUI Method to Launch Telegram

However, this isn’t practical, and you can open the course using the following path on your desktop.

Activities > Show Applications > Telegram.

Additional Telegram Commands

Remove Telegram

For users who no longer require the application, use one of the following commands corresponding to the original installation method.

sudo dnf remove telegram

Users who want to disable RPM Fusion can use the following commands.

sudo dnf config-manager --set-disabled rpmfusion-free
sudo dnf config-manager --set-disabled rpmfusion-nonfree

To check if the installation was successful, users can use the “dnf repo | grep” command as a quick way to verify.

dnf repolist | grep rpmfusion

After running the command, there should be no output. If repositories are still present, a printout of them will appear.

To remove Telegram installed via Flatpak, run the following command.

flatpak remove  --delete-data org.telegram.desktop

Conclusion

Whether you choose to install Telegram via RPM Fusion or Flatpak, both methods ensure that you have access to a fully-featured and up-to-date messaging platform on your Fedora system. RPM Fusion offers a seamless integration with Fedora’s package management, making it a convenient option for most users. On the other hand, Flatpak provides a secure, isolated environment that is ideal for users who prefer additional system protection. By regularly updating Telegram through these methods, you can maintain a secure and efficient communication platform tailored to your needs on Fedora.

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