How to Install Chromium Browser on Fedora

Chromium is the open-source browser project that serves as the foundation for Google Chrome, offering a fast, secure, and customizable browsing experience without Google account integration. Developers frequently use Chromium to test web applications across different rendering engines, while privacy-focused users prefer it to avoid Chrome’s data collection mechanisms. Additionally, extension developers test add-ons in the upstream codebase before Chrome adoption. By the end of this guide, you will have a working Chromium installation with automatic updates, full extension support from the Chrome Web Store, and the ability to import bookmarks from other browsers.

This guide covers two installation methods for Chromium on Fedora: the DNF package manager for native system integration and Flatpak for sandboxed isolation. DNF installs Chromium from Fedora’s repositories with standard system permissions, whereas Flatpak delivers the latest release through Flathub with filesystem restrictions and enhanced security boundaries. Choose DNF for traditional package management or Flatpak when you need application isolation from the base system.

Contents hide

1 Choose Your Chromium Installation Method

2 Method 1: Install Chromium Browser via DNF

3 Method 2: Install Chromium Browser via Flatpak and Flathub

4 Launch Chromium Browser

5 Manage Chromium Browser

6 Conclusion

7 Useful Links

Choose Your Chromium Installation Method

Fedora provides two installation paths for Chromium, each with distinct trade-offs in system integration, update management, and security isolation. The method you choose determines how you receive updates and how the browser interacts with your desktop environment.

Method	Channel	Version	Updates	Best For
DNF	Fedora Repos	Stable	Automatic via `dnf upgrade`	Users who prefer native package management and standard system integration
Flatpak	Flathub	Latest stable	Automatic via `flatpak update`	Users prioritizing application sandboxing and filesystem isolation

We recommend the DNF method for most users because it integrates directly with Fedora’s package management, receives security updates through your normal system upgrade schedule, and requires no additional setup. The Flatpak method suits users who need sandboxed browsers for testing, prefer isolated application environments, or want the latest Chromium releases without waiting for Fedora package updates. While both methods support extensions, bookmarks, and standard browser features, Flatpak restricts filesystem access by default and may require additional permissions for downloads or file uploads outside the sandbox.

Method 1: Install Chromium Browser via DNF

Update Fedora Packages Before Chromium Installation

Before installing Chromium, update your Fedora packages to ensure a smooth installation process and avoid potential conflicts. This step refreshes repository metadata and applies any pending security updates.

Open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

The --refresh flag forces DNF to download the latest repository metadata before checking for updates. This ensures you install the most recent version of Chromium available in the repositories.

Install Chromium Browser via DNF Command

DNF is Fedora’s default package manager and the recommended method for installing Chromium. This approach integrates Chromium directly with your system package management and receives updates through Fedora’s standard update channels.

Install Chromium with the following command:

sudo dnf install chromium

DNF resolves dependencies, downloads the package, and configures Chromium for system-wide use. The installation typically completes in under a minute on modern connections.

Verify the Chromium Installation

After installation, verify that Chromium installed correctly by checking the version. On Fedora, the Chromium package installs the executable as chromium-browser:

chromium-browser --version

You should see output similar to the following:

Chromium 143.0.7499.169 Fedora Project

The version number will differ based on when you install, since Chromium receives frequent updates. The “Fedora Project” suffix confirms you have the official Fedora build.

Method 2: Install Chromium Browser via Flatpak and Flathub

Flatpak provides an alternative installation method with sandboxed application isolation. Fedora Workstation includes Flatpak by default, and Flathub typically delivers upstream Chromium releases faster than Fedora’s repositories. This method is ideal if you want the browser isolated from your system or need to run multiple browser versions side by side.

Ensure Flatpak is Installed on Fedora

First, confirm that you have Flatpak on your Fedora system. Fedora Workstation includes Flatpak by default, but if you run a minimal installation or previously removed it, you can reinstall it.

If needed, install Flatpak with the following command:

sudo dnf install flatpak -y

The -y flag automatically confirms the installation prompt, which is useful for scripted setups but means you won’t see the package list before installation proceeds.

Enable Flathub Repository

Flathub is the primary repository for Flatpak applications and hosts the community-maintained Chromium build. To add Flathub to your Fedora system, run the following command:

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

The --if-not-exists flag prevents errors if Flathub is already configured on your system. After running this command, you can install any application available on Flathub.

Install Chromium Browser via Flatpak Command

With Flathub enabled, install Chromium using the following command:

flatpak install flathub org.chromium.Chromium -y

Flatpak downloads the application and its required runtimes. The first Flatpak installation may take longer as it downloads shared runtime libraries that other Flatpak applications will reuse.

Once complete, verify the installation by listing installed Flatpak applications:

flatpak list | grep -i chromium

You should see the application listed with its application ID:

Chromium Web Browser	org.chromium.Chromium	stable	flathub	system

Troubleshoot Flatpak Installation Errors

If you encounter an error preventing downloads from Flathub, you may see the following message:

error: Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can't fetch summary from disabled remote 'flathub'

This error indicates that someone added the Flathub remote but it remains disabled. To resolve this issue, enable the repository:

flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

Then verify that you have enabled the repository by checking the list of configured remotes:

flatpak remotes

You should see Flathub listed without a disabled status:

Name    Options
flathub system

After confirming Flathub is enabled, retry the Chromium installation command.

Launch Chromium Browser

Launch Chromium from Terminal

The terminal command to launch Chromium differs depending on your installation method.

For DNF installations, launch Chromium with:

chromium-browser

For Flatpak installations, use the full application ID:

flatpak run org.chromium.Chromium

Both commands open Chromium in a new window. You can add flags after the command to customize browser behavior, such as --incognito to start in private browsing mode.

Launch Chromium from Applications Menu

Alternatively, launch Chromium through Fedora’s graphical interface by searching in Activities:

Click the Activities button in the top-left corner of your screen.
Type “Chromium” in the search field that appears.
Click the Chromium Web Browser icon to open the browser.

Both installation methods create desktop entries, so Chromium appears in your applications list regardless of which method you used.

Manage Chromium Browser

Update Chromium Browser

Keeping Chromium updated is essential for security, as browser updates frequently patch critical vulnerabilities. The update method depends on how you installed Chromium.

Update via DNF

For DNF installations, your regular system updates include Chromium updates. Run the following command to check for and apply updates:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

This command refreshes repository metadata and upgrades all installed packages, including Chromium, to their latest versions. Fedora’s GNOME Software application also displays available updates if you prefer a graphical interface.

Update via Flatpak

For Flatpak installations, update Chromium with:

flatpak update

This command checks for updates across all installed Flatpak applications and downloads the latest versions from their configured remotes. Flatpak updates are independent from your system package updates, so run this command periodically even if your system packages are current.

Remove Chromium Browser

If you no longer need Chromium, remove it using the appropriate command for your installation method.

Remove via DNF

For DNF installations, remove Chromium and its unused dependencies with:

sudo dnf remove chromium

DNF automatically removes dependencies that were installed with Chromium and are no longer required by other packages.

Remove via Flatpak

For Flatpak installations, remove Chromium with:

flatpak uninstall org.chromium.Chromium

After removing Flatpak applications, you can optionally remove unused runtimes to reclaim disk space:

flatpak uninstall --unused

This command removes shared runtimes that are no longer required by any installed Flatpak application.

Remove Chromium User Data

Package removal commands leave your browser profile data intact by default. This allows you to reinstall Chromium later without losing bookmarks, history, or settings. However, if you want to completely remove all Chromium data, you must manually delete the configuration directories.

The following commands permanently delete your Chromium browsing data, including bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and installed extensions. Export bookmarks and passwords before proceeding if you need to preserve them.

For DNF installations, remove the configuration and cache directories:

rm -rf ~/.config/chromium
rm -rf ~/.cache/chromium

For Flatpak installations, remove the sandboxed application data:

rm -rf ~/.var/app/org.chromium.Chromium

After running these commands, Chromium will start with a clean profile on the next launch, as if it were freshly installed.

Conclusion

You now have Chromium running on Fedora with automatic updates, full extension support from the Chrome Web Store, and the ability to import bookmarks from other browsers. DNF installations receive security patches through your system update schedule, while Flatpak delivers upstream releases with sandboxed filesystem access. To maintain security, run sudo dnf upgrade --refresh or flatpak update regularly to keep Chromium current with the latest security fixes.

Useful Links

For further reading on Chromium, Fedora package management, and alternative browsers, explore these resources:

Chromium Project Homepage – Official documentation, release notes, and development resources for the Chromium browser.
Chromium on Flathub – Browse the Flatpak version details, permissions, and installation options.
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Install Vivaldi on Fedora – Install Vivaldi for a highly customizable Chromium-based browser with tab stacking and advanced features.
Install Snap on Fedora – Learn about Snap packages as an alternative to Flatpak for cross-distribution application delivery.
Increase DNF Speed on Fedora – Optimize DNF performance for faster package downloads and system updates.