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How to Install Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
Last Updated on by Joshua James
Brave Browser, a groundbreaking open-source web browser, has carved a niche in online privacy and security. For those keen on learning to install Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or its older stable release Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa, this guide offers a comprehensive overview of its standout features and the installation process.
Salient Features of Brave Browser:
Uncompromised Privacy: Brave is designed with user privacy at its core. It boasts automatic HTTPS upgrades, blocks third-party cookies, and restricts scripts, ensuring a fortified browsing environment.
Ad and Tracker Resistance: Brave’s Shield feature is adept at blocking intrusive ads and trackers, paving the way for a streamlined and swift browsing experience.
Brave Ads with Rewards: With Brave’s unique reward system, Basic Attention Tokens (BAT), users can earn by viewing privacy-centric ads. Accumulated BAT can be channeled to support preferred websites or converted to real-world currency.
Integrated Tor Mode: Brave’s built-in Tor functionality facilitates anonymous browsing, eliminating the need for additional software or configurations.
Tailored Browsing Experience: Brave extends many customization choices, allowing users to shape their browsing milieu. Furthermore, its compatibility with most Chrome extensions amplifies its versatility.
For those eager to venture into a browsing experience that champions privacy and speed, this guide elucidates the steps to install Brave on Ubuntu. Whether you’re inclined towards the stable, beta, or nightly versions of Brave, this guide has you covered. It’s noteworthy that these versions can coexist, given their distinct installation paths.
Table of Contents
Install Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via APT PPA
Step 1: Update Ubuntu Before Brave Browser Installation
Before starting the installation process, ensuring that your Ubuntu system is up to date is essential. This will minimize potential conflicts and ensure that all dependencies are met. To update your system, execute the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Step 2: Install the Required Packages For Brave on Ubuntu
To successfully install Brave Browser, there are several software packages that you need to have installed on your system. Run the following command in your terminal to install these required packages:
If unsure, run the command; it will not harm you. These are the most common software packages found on nearly all Linux distributions.
Step 3: Import Brave Repository on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
There are three options for the Brave Browser installation: stable, beta, and nightly builds. The stable version is recommended for most users as it offers the most reliable browsing experience. However, if you are an advanced user or curious about upcoming features, you can install the beta or nightly build repositories, which are separate installations.
Option 1 – Import Brave Browser Stable on Ubuntu (Recommended)
To import the GPG key for the stable version of Brave Browser, execute the following command:
Next, add the stable repository by running this command:
echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list
Option 2 – Import Brave Browser Beta on Ubuntu
To import the GPG key for the beta version of Brave Browser, execute the following command:
Next, add the beta repository by running this command:
echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-beta-archive-keyring.gpg] https://brave-browser-apt-beta.s3.brave.com/ stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-beta.list
Option 3 – Import Brave Browser Nightly on Ubuntu
To import the GPG key for the nightly version of Brave Browser, execute the following command:
Next, add the nightly repository by running this command:
echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-nightly-archive-keyring.gpg] https://brave-browser-apt-nightly.s3.brave.com/ stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-nightly.list
Step 4: Update the Package List
After adding the desired Brave repository, you must update the package list to include the newly added repository. To do this, execute the following command:
sudo apt update
Step 5: Install Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via APT Command
Depending on the repositories you imported in the previous section, you can install the Brave Browser stable version or any other branches (beta or nightly). This guide will cover the installation commands for all options.
To install the stable version of Brave Browser, execute the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt install brave-browser
After the installation is complete, you can verify the successful installation and check the build and version by running this command:
brave-browser --version
Option 2: Install Brave Browser Beta on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via APT Command
If you have imported the beta repository and would like to install the beta version of Brave Browser, run the following command:
sudo apt install brave-browser-beta
To verify the installation and check the beta version, execute the following command:
brave-browser-beta --version
Option 3: Install Brave Browser Nightly on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via APT Command
If you have imported the nightly repository and wish to install the nightly version of Brave Browser, use this command:
sudo apt install brave-browser-nightly
After installing the nightly version, you can confirm the installation and check the nightly build version by running this command:
brave-browser-nightly --version
The next two methods with Snap or Flatpak with Flathub to install Brave Browser only support the stable version, which most users should use on their Ubuntu system. If you want the latest via APT, beta, and nightly, use the above method.
Install Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via Snap
Snap offers a straightforward method for managing and deploying software. This section guides you on how to install the Brave Browser through Snap.
Step 1: Check for Snap’s Existence on Your Ubuntu System
Canonical, the team behind Ubuntu, introduced Snap as a tool for software management. Most Ubuntu installations come with Snap by default. However, if Snap isn’t on your system, you can install it with the below command.
sudo apt install snapd -y
This command sets up the Snap Daemon (snapd) that manages your snap packages.
Step 2: Enable Classic Snap Support for Brave Browser on Ubuntu
Some snap packages use the ‘classic’ confinement to have broader access to system resources, similar to regular applications. Setting up a symbolic link (symlink) for classic snap support is advisable to ensure these packages run smoothly. Use the command below to create this symlink:
sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap
Step 3: Install the Core Snap
Before installing the Brave Browser, it’s wise to install the ‘core’ snap. This Snap contains essential libraries and services that every other Snap depends on. It helps in preventing potential problems. To install the core snap, use this command:
sudo snap install core
Step 4: Install Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via Snap
Once the above steps are complete, you can install the Brave Browser. You can do so with the command below:
sudo snap install brave
Here, ‘sudo’ grants you administrative rights, ‘snap’ calls the Snap package manager, ‘install’ instructs you to install a package, and ‘brave-browser’ is the software you aim to install.
Install Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via Flatpak and Flathub
This section introduces you to installing the Brave Browser via the Flatpak package manager. Like Snap, Flatpak offers a unique approach to software deployment, ensuring applications can run across almost any Linux distribution through an isolated runtime environment.
Step 1: Enable Flathub for Brave Browser on Ubuntu
To install the Brave Browser using Flatpak, you must first activate the Flathub repository, a primary source for Flatpak apps. Run the following command to add Flathub to your Flatpak setup:
This command integrates the Flathub repository, widening your access to various applications, including the Brave Browser.
Step 2: Install Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via Flatpak
After setting up Flathub, you can install the Brave Browser on your Ubuntu system with the below command:
flatpak install flathub com.brave.Browser -y
This ensures you get the Brave Browser from Flathub, guaranteeing the latest version.
If your system doesn’t have Flatpak, please see our comprehensive guide titled, “How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu” for a step-by-step breakdown on installing the most up-to-date version of Flatpak.
Launch the Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
After successfully installing the desired version(s) of Brave Browser, it’s time to launch the browser and start enjoying its features. There are several methods to run Brave Browser on your system, depending on your preference.
CLI Method to Launch Brave Browser on Ubuntu
You can launch Brave Browser directly from the terminal by executing the appropriate command based on the version you have installed:
Stable installations of the Brave browser can use one of the following commands that match the method of installation:
APT installations
brave-browser
Snap installations:
snap run brave
Flatpak installations:
flatpak run com.brave.Browser
For Brave beta and nightly APT installations, use the following commands depending on the version you installed and want to run:
brave-browser-beta
brave-browser-nightly
GUI Method to Launch Brave Browser on Ubuntu
While launching Brave Browser from the terminal might be helpful in some cases, it might not be the most convenient method. You can easily find and launch Brave Browser from your desktop environment using the following steps:
Click on Activities or your system’s application launcher.
Click on Show Apps or a similar option to display the installed applications.
Locate the Brave Web Browser icon and click on it to launch the browser.
If you have many applications installed and can’t find Brave Browser quickly, use the search feature in the Applications menu to locate it.
PinA step-by-step visual demonstration of launching Brave Browser by clicking its icon on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04.
Tips on Getting Started with Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
This section will discuss various tips and customizations to help you get the most out of your Brave Browser experience on Ubuntu Linux. These tips are specifically tailored for Ubuntu Linux users and will enhance your browsing experience while maintaining privacy and security.
Customize Brave Browser’s Appearance on Ubuntu
Brave Browser allows you to customize its appearance to match your preferences. You can personalize the browser by following these steps:
Open Brave Browser and click on the Settings icon (the gear icon) located at the bottom-right corner of the New Tab page, or access it through the hamburger menu (≡) at the top-right corner and then click on Settings.
In the Settings menu, select Appearance from the left sidebar.
Here, you can customize various aspects of the browser’s appearance, such as:
Theme: Choose between the Light and Dark themes or use the System default option.
Show home button: Toggle the visibility of the home button in the address bar.
Show bookmarks bar: Toggle the visibility of the bookmarks bar.
Configure Brave Shields for Enhanced Privacy on Ubuntu
Brave Shields is a built-in feature that provides enhanced privacy and security by blocking ads, trackers, and other harmful content. To configure Brave Shields, follow these steps:
Click the Brave Shields icon (the lion’s head) in the address bar.
You can enable or disable Brave Shields for the current website by toggling the switch at the top.
Customize the settings according to your preferences, such as:
Ads and trackers: Choose to block or allow ads and trackers.
Upgrade connections to HTTPS: Force secure connections whenever possible.
Block scripts: Enable or disable JavaScript on websites.
Cookie blocking: Choose between Allow all cookies, Block third-party cookies, and Block all cookies.
Enable Sync for a Seamless Browsing Experience on Ubuntu
Brave Sync allows you to synchronize your bookmarks, settings, and browsing data across multiple devices. To enable Sync, follow these steps:
Open the Brave Browser settings by clicking on the gear icon at the bottom-right corner of the New Tab page or through the hamburger menu (≡) at the top-right corner and click on Settings.
Select Sync from the left sidebar.
Click on Start using Sync and follow the on-screen instructions to set up Sync with your Brave Browser on other devices.
Configure Search Engine Settings on Ubuntu
You can change your default search engine in Brave Browser to match your preferences. To do this, follow these steps:
Access Brave Browser settings by clicking on the gear icon at the bottom-right corner of the New Tab page or through the hamburger menu (≡) at the top-right corner and clicking on Settings.
In the Settings menu, select Search Engine from the left sidebar.
Choose your preferred search engine from the Search engine used in the address bar dropdown menu.
These tips should help you start with Brave Browser on Ubuntu Linux and maximize its features, customization options, and privacy-focused browsing experience.
PinA glimpse of Brave Browser’s default landing page with Brave stats once installed on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04.
PinVisual demonstration of the additional feature allowing users to use Brave Browser with Tor on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04.
Additional Commands for Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
This section will cover some useful commands for managing your Brave Browser installation on Ubuntu, including updating and removing the browser.
How to Update Brave Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
To keep Brave Browser up-to-date, you can use the APT package manager. First, check for available updates for your entire system:
sudo apt update
If there is an update available for Brave Browser, you can upgrade all packages:
sudo apt upgrade
Alternatively, you can update Brave Browser directly without updating all the packages simultaneously. For example, to update the stable version of Brave Browser:
sudo apt upgrade brave-browser
Alternatively, Snap installations can run the following terminal command to blanket-check all packages installed for updates:
snap refresh
Similar to Snap update command, the same command methodology can be used for Flatpak:
flatpak update
How to Remove Brave Browser From Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
APT Remove Command Method For Brave Browser on Ubuntu
If you need to uninstall Brave Browser, follow these steps based on the installed version(s).
sudo apt remove brave-browser
sudo apt remove brave-browser-beta
sudo apt remove brave-browser-nightly
Next, if you plan not to re-install Brave, you should remove the added repositories and use the following commands based on the version(s) you have installed:
These commands will remove the specific Brave Browser repositories. By removing the repositories, you prevent future updates to the browser, and it will no longer appear in your package manager.
Snap Remove Command Method For Brave Browser on Ubuntu
To remove Brave Browser that was installed via Snap, use the following command:
sudo snap remove brave
Flatpak Remove Command Method For Brave Browser on Ubuntu
Similar to Snap, removing Brave Browser from Ubuntu installations is as simple as one command:
flatpak uninstall flathub com.brave.Browser
Conclusion
In this guide, we have walked through installing the Brave Browser on Ubuntu Linux. Following these steps, you should have a fully functioning Brave Browser installed on your system. Remember to keep your browser up-to-date and manage your installation as needed for the best browsing experience.
