Telegram is a popular messaging app known for its speed, security, and feature-rich environment. It supports encrypted messaging, large group chats, file sharing, and even voice and video calls, making it a versatile tool for communication. Telegram is available across multiple platforms, including Linux, and offers both desktop and mobile versions, ensuring seamless communication no matter where you are.
On Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04, you can install Telegram via several methods. The first option is using the APT package manager with either the Ubuntu default repository or the PPA maintained by atareao, which provides access to the latest versions. Alternatively, Telegram can be installed using Flatpak via Flathub or Snap via Snapcraft, offering sandboxed environments that ensure security and easy updates. This guide will cover all these installation methods, helping you choose the best one for your needs.
Method 1: Install Telegram via APT
Update Ubuntu Before APT Installation
Before installing, you must update your Ubuntu system to ensure you have the latest software and security patches. This will help prevent any potential conflicts during the installation process. To update your system, open the terminal and execute the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeInstall Telegram APT Command
Telegram can be installed using the APT package manager in two ways: from the default APT repository or using a PPA for a more up-to-date version.
Option 1: Install Telegram with APT Default Repository
The first option is to use the default APT repository, which offers a stable and secure version of Telegram. This method is recommended for most users to ensure compatibility with the Ubuntu system. However, the version available in the default repository may be outdated compared to the alternative method using a PPA. To install Telegram from the default repository, run the following command in the terminal:
sudo apt install telegram-desktopOption 2: Install Telegram with PPA on Ubuntu
If you prefer a more up-to-date version of Telegram, you can install it using a Personal Package Archive (PPA) maintained by the “atareao-team.” This method provides access to newer versions of Telegram while still using the APT package manager. To add this PPA to your system, execute the following command in the terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:atareao/telegram -yOnce you’ve added the PPA to your system, you must update your package list and rebuild the cache. To do this, run the following command:
sudo apt updateWith the package list updated, you can now install the latest version of Telegram available in the PPA by executing the following command:
sudo apt install telegramMethod 2: Install Telegram via Flatpak and Flathub
Flatpak is a powerful and versatile package management system with a sandboxed application environment. Using Flatpak, you can install and run applications securely and independently from other applications and system libraries. This section will guide you through installing Telegram using Flatpak and the Flathub repository.
Note: If Flatpak isn’t installed on your system, please refer to the guide “How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu with the Flatpak Team Official LaunchPAD PPA” for instructions on installing the latest supported version of Flatpak.
Add the Flathub Repository For Telegram
To install Telegram using Flatpak, you must first add the Flathub repository containing the Telegram package. To add the Flathub repository, open the terminal and enter the following command:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoInstall Telegram on via Flatpak Command
With the Flathub repository added to your system, you can now install Telegram. To do this, run the following command in the terminal:
flatpak install flathub org.telegram.desktop -yUpon completion of the installation process, Telegram will be accessible on your Ubuntu system through the Flatpak sandboxed environment. This setup ensures that Telegram runs securely and independently from other applications and system libraries, providing security and stability to your messaging experience.
Method 3: Install Telegram on via Snapcraft
Snap is a user-friendly tool for software management and deployment on Linux. This section will show you how to install Telegram, which is often the easiest method for those who prefer using Snaps.
Confirm Snap’s Availability on Your System
Canonical, the organization behind Ubuntu, has championed Snap as a premier software management solution. By default, Snap is present on most Ubuntu installations. If, for some reason, Snap isn’t available on your system, you can easily add it using the following command:
sudo apt install snapd -yThis action installs the Snap Daemon (snapd), which handles your snap packages.
Set Up the Core Snap
Before diving into the Telegram installation, installing the ‘core’ snap is prudent. This package provides foundational libraries and services that all other snaps rely on, preventing potential conflicts. You can add the core snap with this command:
sudo snap install coreWith the initial steps out of the way, you’re all set to install Telegram. Run the following command:
sudo snap install telegram-desktopIn this command, ‘sudo’ grants administrative permissions, ‘snap’ invokes the Snap package manager, ‘install’ is the directive to add a package, and ‘telegram-desktop’ is the application you want to install.
Launching Telegram
Now that you have installed Telegram on your Ubuntu system, you can launch the application in various ways. In this section, we will discuss different methods to start Telegram and provide you with options that suit your preferences.
CLI Method to Launch Telegram
You can launch Telegram immediately after installation by typing the following command in your terminal:
telegram-desktop
or
telegram for PPA versionFor Flatpak users, you can run Telegram from the terminal using the following command:
flatpak run org.telegram.desktopLastly, for Snap installations, you can launch Telegram immediately by running the following:
snap run telegram-desktopGUI Method to Launch Telegram
To launch Telegram in a more user-friendly manner, you can access it through the Applications menu on your desktop. To open Telegram, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Activities” button at your screen’s top-right corner.
- Click on “Show Applications” (usually represented by a grid of dots).
- Search for “Telegram” in the search bar or locate it in the list of installed applications.
- Click on the “Telegram” icon to launch the application.
Additional Commands for Telegram
Update Telegram
While updates should generally appear in notifications, sometimes they might not show up. In such cases, it’s a good idea to check for updates manually using the terminal. Depending on your installation method, use one of the following commands to check for updates:
APT Telegram Update Method
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeFlatpak Telegram Update Method
flatpak updateSnap Telegram Update Method
snap refreshRemove Telegram
If you no longer need Telegram on your Ubuntu system, you can remove it using one of the following commands. The command you need to use depends on your original installation method.
APT Telegram Remove Method
sudo apt remove telegram-desktop
or
sudo apt remove telegramAlternatively, for PPA installations, the command is slightly different:
sudo apt remove telegramIf you installed Telegram using the PPA and want to remove it, use the following command with the --remove flag added to the original command:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:atareao/telegram -yFlatpak Telegram Remove Method
flatpak remove --delete-data org.telegram.desktop -ySnap Telegram Remove Method
sudo snap remove telegram-desktopConclusion
By installing Telegram on your Ubuntu system using one of these methods, you ensure that you have a secure and feature-rich messaging app at your fingertips. Whether you choose the ease of the Ubuntu default repository, the up-to-date versions from the atareao PPA, or the flexibility of Flatpak or Snap, each method provides a reliable way to access Telegram. Regular updates through these channels will keep your Telegram installation current, allowing you to enjoy seamless communication with the latest features and security enhancements on Ubuntu.