How to Install MakeMKV on Debian 12 or 11

MakeMKV is a highly regarded tool for converting videos, DVDs, and Blu-rays into MKV format, a container format that preserves the original quality without compressing the content. It is especially popular among users who need to back up their media collections or convert physical media to digital files. MakeMKV is known for its ability to handle protected DVDs and Blu-rays, making it one of the few tools capable of reliably decrypting and converting such media. For Debian users, there are several methods to install MakeMKV, each offering different advantages depending on your needs.

On Debian 12 and 11, MakeMKV can be installed using the APT PPA maintained by Heyar Jerome, which provides an easy and straightforward installation of the latest version available in the PPA. Alternatively, users can install MakeMKV via Flatpak from Flathub, which provides a sandboxed environment that may offer better security and isolation. For those who need the absolute latest version or are encountering issues with the PPA build, manually downloading the source archive, extracting it, and compiling the MakeMKV binary is the best option for ensuring the highest level of compatibility and access to the most recent features. This guide will cover all three installation methods, helping you choose the best one for your Debian setup.

Update Debian System Before MakeMKV Installation

Begin by updating your Debian system. This step is crucial to ensure your system has the latest security patches and software features, essential for a smooth installation process.

Execute the update command:

sudo apt update

Then, upgrade any packages that are out of date:

sudo apt upgrade

Method 1: Install MakeMKV via APT PPA

Install Essential Dependencies

MakeMKV requires specific dependencies for installation. These dependencies are vital for the software to function correctly on your system.

Install these dependencies using the command:

sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https dirmngr ca-certificates -y

Add MakeMKV APT Repository

The next step is to import the MakeMKV repository’s GPG key. This key is necessary for secure and authenticated software installation.

Import the GPG key with:

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/makemkv.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 9E5738E866C5E6B2

Example output if successful:

gpg: key F9B3BDE7F60856B2: public key "Heyar Jerome <heyarje@gmail.com>" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

In case of any issues with GPG key import, ensure the necessary directories are present:

sudo gpg --list-keys

Then, add the repository for your specific Debian version.

echo 'deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/makemkv.gpg] https://ramses.hjramses.com/deb/makemkv '$(lsb_release -cs)' main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/makemkv.list

Update APT Packages List

Now, update your APT package list to include the newly added MakeMKV repository.

Run the update command:

sudo apt update

Finalize MakeMKV Installation

Finally, install MakeMKV on your Debian system. This step integrates all the previous steps by installing the actual software.

Begin the installation with:

sudo apt install makemkv-oss makemkv-bin -y

After completing these steps, MakeMKV will be installed and ready for use on your Debian system.

Method 2: Install MakeMKV via Flatpak and Flathub

Enable Flatpak for MakeMKV Installation

Start by setting up Flatpak, an advanced package manager used in Debian. This step includes adding the Flathub repository to your system, which is renowned for its comprehensive collection of Flatpak applications. Flathub is widely used due to its extensive range of software, making it a go-to choice for Debian users.

Ensure Flatpak is installed on your system first. Then, to add Flathub, execute the following command in your terminal:

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

Install MakeMKV via Flatpak Command

Once you have Flatpak and Flathub ready, proceed to install MakeMKV. Flatpak streamlines the installation process across different distributions, making it an efficient choice.

Install MakeMKV from the Flathub repository using this command:

flatpak install flathub com.makemkv.MakeMKV

This command instructs Flatpak to install the MakeMKV package from Flathub. The -y flag automatically confirms the installation, facilitating a smoother experience.

Method 3: Install MakeMKV via Source Archive

Check for the Latest Version

Before starting the installation, verify the latest version of MakeMKV. Visit the MakeMKV Linux Forum to ensure you have the most recent version details.

Download MakeMKV Source and Binary Packages

Download the necessary MakeMKV source and binary packages using the wget command. Replace the version numbers in the URLs with the latest version you confirmed from the forum.

wget https://www.makemkv.com/download/makemkv-oss-1.17.5.tar.gz
wget https://www.makemkv.com/download/makemkv-bin-1.17.5.tar.gz

Note: If one exists, remember to change the 1.17.5 to the newer version, as this guide’s example will soon be outdated, and you may accidentally install an older version.

Install Required Dependencies

Install the required libraries and compilers needed to build MakeMKV. This includes GNU compiler, linker, and necessary libraries like glibc, openssl, zlib, expat, libavcodec, and qt5.

On Debian-based systems, use this command:

sudo apt install build-essential pkg-config libc6-dev libssl-dev libexpat1-dev libavcodec-dev libgl1-mesa-dev qtbase5-dev zlib1g-dev

Compile and Install MakeMKV OSS Package

Unpack, compile and install the makemkv-oss package with the following commands:

tar -xvzf makemkv-oss-1.17.5.tar.gz
cd makemkv-oss-1.17.5
./configure
make
sudo make install

Compile and Install MakeMKV Binary Package

Similarly, unpack, compile, and install the makemkv-bin package:

tar -xvzf makemkv-bin-1.17.5.tar.gz
cd makemkv-bin-1.17.5
make
sudo make install

Upon completion, MakeMKV will be installed at /usr/bin/makemkv on your Linux system.

Initiating MakeMKV User Interface

After the successful installation of MakeMKV, the next stage is to launch the application. There are two primary methods to initiate MakeMKV, and we’ll explore both routes in this section.

Starting MakeMKV via Terminal

The terminal in a Linux system acts as the gateway for users to interact directly with the system. It’s a potent tool that can streamline operations, bypassing GUI-based interactions. For MakeMKV, you can invoke the program directly from the terminal.

Execute the following command in the terminal to start MakeMKV:

makemkv

This command will prompt MakeMKV to boot up, ready for your interaction.

For Flatpak installations, run the following command:

flatpak run com.makemkv.MakeMKV

Starting MakeMKV via Graphical User Interface

If you’re using a desktop environment, the graphical user interface (GUI) route might be more intuitive. MakeMKV can be easily accessed without terminal commands from your system’s application menu.

Here’s the general path to follow to locate and start MakeMKV:

1. Click on Activities, located typically in the top-left corner of your screen, or press the ‘Super’ key (also known as the ‘Windows’ key in many keyboards).
2. Next, click on Show Applications, represented by a grid of dots, usually found at the bottom of the sidebar.
3. In the applications menu, look for MakeMKV and click on it to launch the application.

Administering MakeMKV

Uninstall MakeMKV Packages

APT Remove Method for MakeMKV

To remove MakeMKV from your Debian system, start by uninstalling the MakeMKV packages. It’s crucial to remember that installing MakeMKV may have introduced several dependencies. To ensure a clean removal, including these dependencies, use the autoremove command. Execute the following in your terminal:

sudo apt remove makemkv-oss makemkv-bin

This command removes the MakeMKV packages and cleans up any dependencies that are no longer needed.

Remove the Repository

After uninstalling MakeMKV, remove its repository from your system’s list. This step prevents your system from checking for updates from the now irrelevant repository during future updates.

Execute this command to remove the repository:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/makemkv.list

This command deletes the MakeMKV list file, removing the repository from your system.

Remove the GPG Key

The final step involves deleting the GPG key added during the installation of MakeMKV. This key authenticated the software package but is no longer necessary after uninstallation.

To remove the GPG key, use the following command:

sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/makemkv.gpg

Flatpak Remove Method for MakeMKV

If MakeMKV was installed using Flatpak, the following command will remove the application:

flatpak uninstall flathub com.makemkv.MakeMKV

Source Installation Removal Method for MakeMKV

When you’ve installed MakeMKV from the source, removing it requires manually deleting the files and directories it created. This is because the “make uninstall command” is not provided for MakeMKV. Here’s how to proceed:

Remove Executable Files:

Delete the MakeMKV executable, which is typically found in the /usr/bin/ directory. Use the command:

sudo rm /usr/bin/makemkv

Delete Configuration Files and Libraries:

Look for MakeMKV’s configuration files and libraries. These are often located in directories like /usr/lib/ or /etc/. Remove only the files that are part of MakeMKV.

sudo rm -r /path/to/makemkv/configuration/files
sudo rm -r /path/to/makemkv/libraries

Replace /path/to/makemkv/configuration/files and /path/to/makemkv/libraries with the actual paths where MakeMKV’s files are located.

Check for Additional Files:

To ensure complete removal, search your system for any additional MakeMKV files that might be lingering. You can use the find command to locate these files:

sudo find / -name '*makemkv*'

This command lists all files and directories with ‘makemkv’ in their names, allowing you to identify and remove any remaining components.

Closing Thoughts

Installing MakeMKV on Debian via the Heyar Jerome APT PPA, Flatpak, or by compiling from the source archive offers multiple paths to accessing this powerful media conversion tool. The PPA method is straightforward and integrates well with Debian’s package management, while the Flatpak option provides a more secure, isolated environment. For users who require the latest features or encounter compatibility issues, compiling MakeMKV from the source ensures you have the most up-to-date and reliable version. Whichever method you choose, MakeMKV will equip your Debian system with the ability to efficiently convert and back up your media collections.