This guide shows you how to install Telegram on Ubuntu using Flatpak, Snap, or APT-based methods. Telegram is a lightweight messaging app that prioritizes speed and privacy, starting instantly while handling groups of 200,000+ members and file transfers up to 2 GB. The Linux desktop client syncs seamlessly across devices, making it a popular choice alongside Signal for privacy-conscious users.
Each installation method has different version availability depending on your Ubuntu release, so check the comparison tables below before choosing your approach.
Installation Method Availability by Ubuntu Release
Telegram packaging varies significantly across Ubuntu releases. The default APT repositories only include Telegram on older Ubuntu versions, while newer releases require alternative installation methods. Review the availability table to find which methods work on your system:
| Ubuntu Release | Default APT | atareao PPA | Flatpak | Snap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | ✅ Version 3.6.1 | ✅ Available | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
For Ubuntu 26.04 and 24.04 users, Flatpak or Snap are the recommended installation methods since the default APT repositories do not include Telegram. The atareao PPA tracks upstream releases but currently lacks Ubuntu 26.04 (Resolute) packages. Commands and verification steps shown in this guide work identically across all supported Ubuntu LTS releases unless otherwise noted.
Choose Your Installation Method
Each installation method offers different trade-offs between version freshness, system integration, and maintenance requirements:
| Method | Current Version | Updates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatpak (Flathub) | 6.4.2 | Manual or automatic | Sandboxed security, all Ubuntu versions |
| Snap (Snapcraft) | 6.3.9 | Automatic background | Zero-maintenance, all Ubuntu versions |
| atareao PPA | 6.4.2 | System updates | Latest features with APT integration (22.04/24.04) |
| Default APT Repository | 3.6.1 | System updates | Stability over features (22.04 only) |
Method 1: Install Telegram via Flatpak (Recommended)
Flatpak provides the most consistent Telegram experience across all Ubuntu versions. Applications run in sandboxed environments isolated from system libraries, which improves security and prevents dependency conflicts. Flatpak packages receive updates directly from Flathub regardless of your Ubuntu release.
Install Flatpak Framework
If Flatpak is not installed on your system, follow the Flatpak installation guide for Ubuntu to set up the framework and add Flathub. The setup process typically takes under five minutes.
With Flatpak ready, add the Flathub repository if you haven’t already. This is the primary source for Flatpak applications:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoInstall Telegram from Flathub
Install Telegram using the system-wide Flatpak scope, which makes the application available to all users:
sudo flatpak install flathub org.telegram.desktop -yThe first installation downloads the required runtime libraries (approximately 600 MB), but subsequent Flatpak application installations sharing the same runtime are much smaller.
Verify Installation
Confirm Telegram installed correctly by checking the package information:
flatpak info org.telegram.desktopThe output displays version details and installation status:
Telegram Desktop - Telegram Desktop messenger
ID: org.telegram.desktop
Ref: app/org.telegram.desktop/x86_64/stable
Arch: x86_64
Branch: stable
Version: 6.4.2
License: GPL-3.0
Origin: flathub
Installation: system
Method 2: Install Telegram via Snap
Snap packages are self-contained installations that include all dependencies, making them work consistently across Ubuntu versions without compatibility issues. Snap handles updates automatically in the background, so you always have the latest version without manual intervention.
Verify Snap is Available
Ubuntu includes Snap by default on standard installations. Verify the snapd service is available:
snap versionIf Snap is not installed (common on minimal server installations), install the snapd package:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install snapd -yInstall Telegram from Snap Store
Install Telegram using the official Snap package:
sudo snap install telegram-desktopThe first Snap installation downloads the core24 base runtime (approximately 70 MB) that Telegram requires. This is a one-time download shared by other Snaps using the same base.
Verify Installation
Confirm Telegram installed correctly:
snap info telegram-desktopThe output shows the installed version and channel information:
name: telegram-desktop summary: Telegram Desktop messenger publisher: Telegram FZ-LLC✓ store-url: https://snapcraft.io/telegram-desktop license: GPL-3.0 description: | Pure instant messaging — simple, fast, secure, and synced across all your devices. snap-id: AJaOoAIBPjCvO0K8ROfCf4pC6E3ExLKk tracking: latest/stable refresh-date: today at 06:30 UTC channels: latest/stable: 6.3.9 2025-12-16 (711) 131MB - latest/candidate: 6.3.9 2025-12-16 (711) 131MB - latest/beta: 6.4.2 2026-01-22 (714) 131MB - latest/edge: 6.4.2 2026-01-22 (714) 131MB - installed: 6.3.9 (711) 131MB -
Method 3: Install Telegram via atareao PPA (Ubuntu 22.04/24.04)
The atareao PPA provides the latest Telegram version (6.4.2) through Ubuntu’s native package manager. This method integrates tightly with APT for updates and dependency management. The PPA currently builds packages for Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy) and Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble).
The atareao PPA does not support Ubuntu 26.04 (Resolute) at the time of writing. If you’re running 26.04, use Flatpak (Method 1) or Snap (Method 2) instead.
Import the atareao PPA
Add the PPA repository to your system’s software sources:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:atareao/telegram -yInstall Telegram from PPA
Update the package index and install Telegram:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install telegram -yThe package name from this PPA is telegram, not telegram-desktop. The binary installs to /opt/telegram/Telegram.
Verify Installation
Check the installed package version:
apt-cache policy telegramExpected output showing the PPA as the source:
telegram:
Installed: 6.4.2
Candidate: 6.4.2
Version table:
*** 6.4.2 500
500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/atareao/telegram/ubuntu noble/main amd64 Packages
100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
Method 4: Install Telegram via Default APT Repository (Ubuntu 22.04 Only)
Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy) includes telegram-desktop in its default Universe repository. This method requires no additional repositories but provides an older version (3.6.1) that may lack recent features and security updates.
The
telegram-desktoppackage is not available in Ubuntu 24.04 or 26.04 default repositories. Only use this method on Ubuntu 22.04. For newer Ubuntu releases, use Flatpak (Method 1), Snap (Method 2), or the PPA (Method 3).
Install Telegram from Universe Repository
Update the package index and install Telegram:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install telegram-desktop -yVerify Installation
Check the installed version:
apt-cache policy telegram-desktopExpected output on Ubuntu 22.04:
telegram-desktop:
Installed: 3.6.1+ds-1
Candidate: 3.6.1+ds-1
Version table:
*** 3.6.1+ds-1 500
500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy/universe amd64 Packages
100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
Launch Telegram Application
After installation, launch Telegram through your desktop environment or terminal. Both methods open the same application.
Launch from Applications Menu
Open the Activities menu, search for “Telegram,” and click the application icon. This works for all installation methods.
Launch from Terminal
Terminal commands vary by installation method:
Flatpak:
flatpak run org.telegram.desktopSnap:
snap run telegram-desktopAPT (Default Repository):
telegram-desktopAPT (atareao PPA):
/opt/telegram/Telegram
Update Telegram
Update commands vary by installation method. Flatpak and Snap handle updates automatically by default, but you can trigger manual updates when needed.
Update Flatpak Installation
sudo flatpak update org.telegram.desktopUpdate Snap Installation
Snap updates automatically in the background every few hours. To force an immediate update:
sudo snap refresh telegram-desktopUpdate APT Installation (PPA or Default)
For APT-based installations, run the standard system update:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeRemove Telegram
Use the removal command matching your installation method.
Remove Flatpak Installation
Remove Telegram and its application data:
sudo flatpak remove --delete-data org.telegram.desktop -yRemove Snap Installation
sudo snap remove telegram-desktopRemove APT Installation (Default Repository)
sudo apt remove telegram-desktopThis removes the package but preserves your chat history and settings in ~/.local/share/TelegramDesktop/. To delete all local data:
rm -rf ~/.local/share/TelegramDesktopRemove APT Installation (atareao PPA)
Remove the package and the PPA repository. See our PPA removal guide for alternative methods if needed:
sudo apt remove telegram
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:atareao/telegram -yLocal data remains in ~/.local/share/TelegramDesktop/. Delete it with rm -rf ~/.local/share/TelegramDesktop if you want to remove chat history and settings.
Troubleshooting
PPA Not Available on Ubuntu 26.04
If you see this error when adding the atareao PPA on Ubuntu 26.04:
E: The repository 'https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/atareao/telegram/ubuntu resolute Release' does not have a Release file.
This indicates the PPA doesn’t support your Ubuntu version yet. Use Flatpak (Method 1) or Snap (Method 2) instead, which work on all Ubuntu releases.
Package telegram-desktop Not Found
If apt install telegram-desktop returns “Unable to locate package” on Ubuntu 24.04 or 26.04, this is expected. The default APT package is only available in Ubuntu 22.04. Use Flatpak, Snap, or the atareao PPA (24.04 only) instead.
Flatpak Command Not Found
If flatpak returns “command not found,” install Flatpak first. See our Flatpak installation guide for detailed setup instructions.
Conclusion
This guide covered four methods for installing Telegram on Ubuntu: Flatpak and Snap for universal compatibility across all Ubuntu versions, the atareao PPA for Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 users who prefer APT management, and the default repository for Ubuntu 22.04 users who want a minimal setup. For most users, Flatpak provides the best balance of fresh updates and system integration, while Snap offers automatic background updates with zero maintenance.
I see the screen saying “start messaging”, but, when I click on this, I see another screen with a QR code which changes every few minutes. It says :
Scan From Mobile Telegram
1. Open Telegram on your phone
2. Go to Settings > Devices > Link Desktop
3. Scan this image to Log In
Or log in using your phone number
NOW THE WHOLE POINT of trying to get telegram on the Ubuntu pc IS THAT I NEITHER HAVE NOR WANT A *** SMARTPHONE!
Thanks for reporting this, Alain. You’re seeing Telegram’s QR code login screen, which appears by default but isn’t required. To bypass the QR code and register without a smartphone, look for the “Or log in using your phone number” option at the bottom of that screen and click it. This opens the classic login form where you can enter your phone number directly.
Telegram will then send a verification code via SMS or an automated voice call, depending on whether you use a mobile phone or a landline. After entering the code, you can use Telegram Desktop on Ubuntu without needing a mobile app.
What do you need to create an account on telegram ?
Thanks for your question, John. To create a Telegram account, you only need a valid phone number (mobile or landline). During registration, Telegram sends a verification code via SMS to confirm your number. Once you enter the code, you can set your display name and optionally add a username, profile photo, and bio. No email address is required, though you can add one later for account recovery purposes.
After installing Telegram using any of the methods covered in this guide, launch the application and follow the on-screen registration prompts to get started.