Discord is a popular communication platform designed for creating communities, whether for gaming, education, or general interest groups. It offers voice, video, and text communication channels, along with a host of other features like screen sharing, file sharing, and integration with various bots and apps. Discord has become essential for group communications, particularly in online gaming, but its versatility makes it useful for many different types of communities.
For users running Fedora 40 or 39, Discord can be installed using two primary methods. One option is through RPM Fusion, a third-party repository that provides software not included in the default Fedora repositories. RPM Fusion ensures you have access to the latest stable version of Discord, with seamless updates integrated into your system. Alternatively, Discord can also be installed via Flatpak from Flathub, which offers a sandboxed environment that isolates the application from the rest of your system, adding an extra layer of security. This guide will cover the steps to install Discord using both methods, helping you choose the best approach for your setup.
Method 1: Install Discord via RPM Fusion
Update Fedora before Discord Installation
Before you continue, your system must ensure all existing packages are up to date to avoid system conflicts.
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Import RPM Fusion for Discord Installation
One possible method to install the Discord communication application on Fedora is to import the RPM Fusion repository. This third-party repository uses the dnf package manager, which Fedora users widely use.
To import the RPM Fusion repository, enter the following command in the 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 Discord via DNF Command
Now that you have RPM Fusion imported, to install the Discord application, use the following dnf install command:
sudo dnf install discord
Method 2: Install Discord with Flatpak via Flathub
If you prefer to use the Flatpak package manager, which is pre-installed on Fedora and provides access to the latest version of Discord, you can follow these steps. One of the benefits of using Flatpak is that the application runs in a container, which provides a more secure and isolated environment.
Flathub is a third-party repository that hosts many Flatpak applications, including Discord. Flathub allows you to easily access and install the latest version of Discord without worrying about dependencies or conflicts.
Ensure Flatpak is Installed on Fedora
If you have previously removed the Flatpak package manager, you can reinstall it using the following command:
sudo dnf install flatpak
Enable Flathub for Discord Installation
To install Discord using Flatpak, you must first enable the Flathub repository. This can be done by executing the following command in your terminal:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Install Discord via Flatpak Command
Now install Discord with Flatpak, and run the following command in your terminal:
flatpak install flathub com.discordapp.Discord
Troubleshooting Flatpak Discord Installation
If you encounter an error message such as “error: Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can’t fetch summary from disabled remote ‘flathub,'” you can try using the following command instead:
flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub
Launching Discord on User Interface
CLI Commands to Launch Discord
After completing the installation process using either method described above, there are several ways to launch Discord. If you’re in the terminal, you can use the command:
Discord
Flatpak users should use the following command in a terminal instance:
flatpak run com.discordapp.Discord
GUI Method to Launch Discord
Not every user will have a terminal open; most may not even use the command line terminal, so to launch the client using the application icon, use the following path.
- Click on “Activities” in the top left corner of your screen.
- Select “Show Applications.”
- Look for the Discord icon and click on it to launch the application.
Additional Commands & Tips with Discord
Update Discord
Discord updates are usually notified through notifications. However, checking in the terminal updates can be helpful. Use one of the following commands, depending on the installation method you used:
DNF Update Discord Method (RPM Fusion):
To update Discord using the DNF package manager, run the following command in the terminal:
sudo dnf update --refresh
Flatpak Update Discord Method:
To update Discord using Flatpak, run the following command in the terminal:
flatpak update
Remove Discord
If you no longer require Discord, you can remove it using one of the following commands, depending on the installation method you used:
DNF Remove Discord Method:
To remove Discord using the DNF package manager, run the following command in the terminal:
sudo dnf remove discord
Flatpak Remove Discord Method:
To remove Discord using Flatpak, run the following command in the terminal:
flatpak remove --delete-data com.discordapp.Discord
Conclusion
To wrap things up, installing Discord on Fedora through RPM Fusion is a simple and effective way to integrate it with Fedora’s package management, ensuring smooth updates and system compatibility. Alternatively, using the Flatpak method from Flathub offers a sandboxed environment, ideal for those who prioritize security and flexibility. Both installation options allow you to fully enjoy Discord’s features on your Fedora system, keeping you connected with your communities.