Flatpak is a popular system for building, distributing, and running sandboxed desktop applications on Linux, and it comes pre-installed on Linux Mint systems. Upgrading Flatpak can provide several benefits, including access to the latest features, security updates, and performance improvements. However, it’s essential to weigh these benefits against potential cons, such as the introduction of new bugs or compatibility issues with certain applications.
To upgrade Flatpak on Linux Mint 22, 21, or 20, you can use the Launchpad PPA maintained by the Flatpak team, which allows you to import the latest stable build or the development build. This guide will walk you through the process to ensure you have the latest version of Flatpak installed on your system.
Update Linux Mint Before Flatpak Upgrade
Updating your system’s existing packages before upgrading Flatpak on your Linux Mint system is essential. This helps avoid any potential complications or conflicts during the upgrade process.
To update your system, open the command terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeThis command will update your package list and prompt you to upgrade any outdated packages to their latest versions.
Import Flatpak PPA on Linux Mint
As most Linux Mint users know, Flatpak comes pre-installed on the system. However, if you want the latest stable version or even the development version with cutting-edge features, you can choose between two PPAs. Importing the stable version is generally recommended, but you can also opt for the development version. You can permanently remove Flatpak and downgrade to a previous version if necessary.
To import the desired PPA, run the appropriate command in your terminal:
Import Flatpak stable PPA on Linux Mint:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:flatpak/stable -yImport Flatpak development PPA on Linux Mint:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:flatpak/development -yNote: Do not consider the development of Flatpak PPA unless you are prepared to deal with bugs and, if necessary, roll back or reinstall your operating system. If unsure, always go with the latest Flatpak stable build.
Refresh Package Index After Flatpak PPA Import
After importing the PPA, you need to update the package list to include the new packages from the PPA. To do this, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt updateUpgrade Flatpak via APT Command
If Flatpak is installed, the system will prompt you to upgrade it. To upgrade Flatpak, run the following command:
sudo apt upgradeIf you prefer to reinstall Flatpak, you can do so using the following command:
sudo apt install flatpakEnable Flathub Service
Flathub is a popular repository that hosts a vast collection of Flatpak applications. Enabling Flathub allows you to search for and install applications easily.
To enable Flathub on your system, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoNote: This is most likely already activated, but it’s a good idea to check if it is enabled while upgrading Flatpak.
Flatpak Commands Examples on Linux Mint
This section will go through 10 common Flatpak commands that will help you manage your Flatpak applications efficiently.
Install a Flatpak Application
To install an application from Flathub or another Flatpak repository, use the following command format:
flatpak install flathub <application_id>Replace <application_id> with the ID of the application you want to install.
Uninstall a Flatpak Application
To remove an installed Flatpak application, use the following command:
flatpak uninstall <application_id>Replace <application_id> with the ID of the application you want to remove.
Update a Flatpak Application
To update a specific Flatpak application to its latest version, use the following command:
flatpak update <application_id>Replace <application_id> with the ID of the application you want to update.
Update All Flatpak Applications
To update all installed Flatpak applications, run the following command:
flatpak updateList Installed Flatpak Applications
To view a list of all installed Flatpak applications on your system, use the following command:
flatpak list --appSearch for a Flatpak Application
To search for an application in Flathub or another Flatpak repository, use the following command:
flatpak search <search_term>Replace <search_term> with the keyword or application name you want to search for.
Show Flatpak Application Information
To display detailed information about a specific Flatpak application, use the following command:
flatpak info <application_id>Replace <application_id> with the ID of the application you want to view.
List Available Flatpak Repositories
To view a list of all configured Flatpak repositories on your system, use the following command:
flatpak remote-listAdd a Flatpak Repository
To add a new Flatpak repository, use the following command format:
flatpak remote-add <repo_name> <repo_url>Replace <repo_name> with a name for the new repository and <repo_url> with the URL of the repository.
Remove a Flatpak Repository
To remove a configured Flatpak repository, use the following command:
flatpak remote-delete <repo_name>Replace <repo_name> with the name of the repository you want to remove.
Additional Flatpak Management Commands
This section will cover removing Flatpak from your system and some tips to ensure a clean removal.
Remove All Installed Flatpak Applications
Before uninstalling Flatpak itself, it’s essential to remove all installed applications to avoid any leftover files. To remove all installed Flatpak applications, run the following command:
flatpak uninstall --allRemove Unused Flatpak Runtimes
After removing all applications, cleaning up unused runtimes is essential to free up space on your system. To remove unused Flatpak runtimes, use the following command:
flatpak uninstall --unusedRemove Flatpak
After removing all applications and runtimes, uninstall Flatpak from your system. To remove Flatpak and its associated configuration files, run the following command:
sudo apt autoremove flatpak --purgeRemove Flatpak PPAs
If you added any Flatpak PPAs (stable or development) earlier, it’s also a good idea to remove them. To remove a Flatpak PPA, use the following command format:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:<ppa_name>Replace <ppa_name> with the name of the PPA you want to remove.
For example, to remove the stable PPA, run:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:flatpak/stableTo remove the development PPA, run:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:flatpak/developmentConclusion
With Flatpak successfully upgraded on your Linux Mint system, you can take full advantage of the latest features and improvements. Regularly updating Flatpak through the Launchpad PPA maintained by the Flatpak team ensures you maintain a secure and efficient environment for your applications. Enjoy the enhanced capabilities and security that the latest version of Flatpak brings to your Linux Mint experience.