How to Install Element Desktop on Debian 12, 11 or 10

In the realm of secure messaging platforms, Element Desktop stands out as a top-tier choice for those prioritizing privacy and customization. The prospect of integrating Element Desktop becomes even more compelling for users of Debian-based systems. This guide will detail how to install Element Desktop on Debian 12 Bookworm or the older stable releases of Debian 11 Bullseye or Debian 10 Buster, ensuring a seamless communication experience tailored to your needs.

Distinguishing Features of Element Desktop:

  • Transparent Open-Source: Element Desktop’s open-source nature allows anyone to inspect its codebase, reinforcing trust by ensuring no concealed vulnerabilities or undesired functionalities.
  • Robust Privacy Measures: At its core, Element Desktop champions user privacy. With end-to-end encryption as a default setting, only the intended sender and receiver can access the content of messages, safeguarding conversations from potential breaches or eavesdropping.
  • Adaptable User Experience: Element Desktop’s flexibility is evident in its myriad customization options. Users can shape their messaging environment from theme alterations to notification adjustments and bot integrations to fit their unique needs.
  • Seamless Interoperability: By utilizing the Matrix protocol, an open standard for real-time exchanges, Element Desktop can seamlessly communicate with other platforms using the same protocol. This interoperability ensures users aren’t confined to a singular ecosystem.
  • Empowering Decentralization: Element Desktop operates on a decentralized framework, eliminating a singular control point. Users have the autonomy to host their server or utilize a public one, granting unparalleled control over data management.

Given its robust suite of features, Element Desktop is poised as an optimal choice for individuals and organizations seeking a secure and adaptable messaging platform.

Install Element Desktop on Debian 12, 11, or 10 via APT

Step 1: Ensure Debian Up-To-Date Before Element Desktop Installation

The initial part of our journey towards successfully installing Element begins by ensuring our Debian system is thoroughly updated with the latest software.

This can be done with the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Installing Essential Packages

Before the installation of Element, specific prerequisite packages must be present on our Debian system.

Here’s the command that will install these packages:

sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl -y

In the command sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl -y, apt install installs new packages (software-properties-common, apt-transport-https, and curl in this case). The -y flag is used to affirm that we want to proceed with the operation without being prompted for confirmation.

Step 3: Add Element.io’s APT Repository on Debian

Before installing Element, it’s necessary to include its repository in our Debian system. However, we must first import Element’s GPG key for security purposes.

Run the following command to import Element Desktop GPG Key:

curl -fSsL https://packages.element.io/debian/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg > /dev/null

This command, curl fetches the GPG key from the URL provided, while gpg --dearmor processes the key. The sudo tee command then writes the processed key to a specific file on your system.

We then add Element’s repository to our system’s package sources.

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg] https://packages.element.io/debian/ default main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/element-io.list

In this command, echo writes the repository details to the element-io.list file, located within /etc/apt/sources.list.d/.

Step 4: Refreshing the Packages Index After Element.io APT Import

Now that the Element repository has been added to our Debian system, we must instruct APT to refresh its list of packages. This action ensures that APT is aware of the newly available packages for installation from the recently integrated Element repository.

sudo apt update

Step 5: Install Element Desktop via APT Command on Debian

At last, we have reached the final and most thrilling part of the process – installing Element! All preparatory steps having been meticulously executed, we can now instruct APT to install the element-desktop package, which serves as the Element client for Linux.

sudo apt install element-desktop

Upon running this command, the APT package handling utility will fetch and install the element-desktop package, effectively installing Element on your Debian system.

Install Element Desktop on Debian 12, 11, or 10 via Flatpak and Flathub

Flatpak is a universal package management system for Linux. It provides a sandbox environment where users can run applications in isolation from the rest of the system, offering a similar functionality to Snap. The key advantage of installing applications like Element through Flatpak is the encapsulation of all the necessary dependencies within one package, allowing for more reliable, conflict-free software execution.

If your system does not currently have Flatpak installed, refer to the guide How to Install Flatpak on Debian Linux for comprehensive instructions on installing the package manager.

Step 1: Activate Flathub for Element Desktop Installation

Before installing Element using Flatpak, we need to activate the Flathub repository. Flathub serves as a comprehensive source for obtaining Flatpak applications. Execute the command below in your terminal to enable Flathub:

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

This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, ensuring you have access to a wide range of applications, including Element.

Step 2: Install Element Desktop via Flatpak Command on Debian

Having enabled Flathub, you’re now ready to install Element using the flatpak install command. To install Element, run the following command in your terminal:

flatpak install flathub im.riot.Riot -y

This command instructs Flatpak to fetch and install Element from the Flathub repository. The -y flag confirms that we wish to proceed with the operation without further prompts.

If you are wondering why it’s called Riot, for newer users to the software, this was Element Desktops’ former name and has not been switched yet on Flathub.

Launching Element Desktop on Debian 12, 11 or 10

Having successfully installed Element on your Debian system, the next step is getting it up and running. Debian primarily uses two approaches to launch applications: the Command Line Interface (CLI) and the Graphical User Interface (GUI). The choice between these two largely depends on the user’s preference or the specific requirements of the task.

CLI Commands to Launch Element Desktop

Let’s cover quickly how to launch Element Desktop immediately from your terminal. For APT installations, run the following command:

element-desktop

For installations carried out through Flatpak, the command is different; run the following command to launch your Element Desktop installed via Flatpak:

flatpak run im.riot.Riot

GUI Method to Launch Element Desktop on Debian

You can launch Element via Debian’s applications menu if you prefer a more visual approach. Here is the simple process to follow:

  1. Activities: Click on ‘Activities’ in the upper-left corner of your screen.
  2. Show Applications: Next, select ‘Show Applications’, symbolized by a dotted square icon, at the bottom of the dock.
  3. Element: This will display all your installed applications. Scroll through or use the search function to find ‘Element’. Click on the Element icon to initiate the application.
Screenshot of Element Desktop application icon on Debian Linux, ready for launch.
Element Desktop’s distinguishable icon on Debian Linux indicates a successful installation and ready-to-launch status.

First-Time Tips with Element Desktop on Debian 12, 11 or 10

Whether you’re a seasoned user or new to Element, these tips will help optimize your experience, streamline your workflow, and elevate your proficiency with this versatile messenger client.

Customize Element Desktop Notifications with Debian

Element offers detailed control over your notifications, enabling you to tweak their behavior to suit your needs. Access the settings menu and navigate to the notifications section. Here, you can:

  • Customize your desktop notifications – determine when and how Element will alert you of new messages.
  • Mute specific rooms or chats – ideal if you are part of a busy room or need to focus without interruptions.
# Navigate to Notification Settings
Element -> Settings -> Notifications

Take Advantage of Element Desktop Keyboard Shortcuts with Debian

Keyboard shortcuts can significantly enhance your productivity. Element Desktop includes several built-in shortcuts that can simplify routine actions:

  • Ctrl + K: Quickly switch between chats.
  • Ctrl + Shift + L: Jump to the start of your last unread message.

You can view the complete list of shortcuts under Element -> Settings -> Help & About -> Keyboard Shortcuts.

Use Element Desktop Markdown for Rich Text Formatting with Debian

Markdown is a simple syntax designed to convert plain text into HTML. In Element, it is used for text formatting, and it’s pretty straightforward. Here are some examples of how you can use markdown syntax in Element:

Italic text: If you want to make your text italic, wrap your text in either single asterisks or single underscores. Here’s how you would do it:

*This text will appear in italics*

or

_This text will also appear in italics_

When you type this in Element, the text within the asterisks or underscores will appear italicized.

Bold text: To make your text bold, wrap your text in double asterisks or double underscores. Here’s the syntax:

**This text will appear in bold**

or

__This text will also appear in bold__

The text within the double asterisks or underscores will appear bold in Element Desktop.

Hyperlinks: You can create clickable text that links to a URL. To do this, you must enclose your text in square brackets and follow it immediately with the URL in parentheses. Like so:

[Click here to visit LinuxCapable](https://www.linuxcapable.com/)

In Element, “Click here to visit LinuxCapable” will appear as a clickable text that directs to the specified URL.

Manage Your Privacy with Element Desktop on Debian

In Element, you have complete control over who can find you by your email address or phone number. You can set up these preferences in the privacy settings menu:

# Navigate to Privacy Settings
Element -> Settings -> Privacy

Use Bots and Integrations with Element Desktop on Debian

Element supports numerous bots and integrations that can automate tasks and enhance your team’s productivity. To add a new integration, go to the room where you want to add it, click the “Integrations” button in the room’s menu, and select the integration you want to add.

Remember, while these tips offer a starting point, the best way to get comfortable with Element is through consistent use and exploration.

Screenshot of Element Desktop client login page on Debian Linux.
See the login page of the Element Desktop client on Debian Linux, signifying a successful installation.

Managing Element Desktop on Debian 12, 11 or 10

A crucial skill in effective system administration is aptly managing software installations. This section will delve into managing the Element installation on Debian Linux, including the procedures for updating and removing the software.

Update Element Desktop on Debian

APT Installations of Element Desktop:

Keeping your software consistently updated guarantees that you have access to the latest features and security patches. The updating methods vary slightly depending on how you installed Element, whether via APT or Flatpak.

sudo apt update

Next, to upgrade packages due for updates, including Element, you will use the ‘apt upgrade’ command:

sudo apt upgrade

This command will upgrade all packages that have updates available, ensuring your system and Element are up-to-date.

Flatpak Installations of Element Desktop:

If you installed Element using Flatpak, the update command is somewhat simpler. The following command in your terminal will suffice:

sudo flatpak update

This command updates all the Flatpak applications installed on your system, including Element.

Remove Element Desktop From Debian

There might be instances where you need to uninstall Element from your system. This section will guide you on removing it using either the APT or Flatpak.

APT Installations of Element Desktop:

The first step in removing Element installed via APT is to uninstall the software itself:

sudo apt remove element-desktop

After this, it’s necessary to remove the Element repository from your system to prevent its use in future installations or updates:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/element-io.list

Additionally, it’s also advisable to remove the associated GPG key:

sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg

This step ensures that your system does not maintain any security certificates associated with the Element software.

APT Installations of Element Desktop:

For Element installations carried out using Flatpak, you can use the following command to uninstall Element:

sudo flatpak uninstall im.riot.Riot

This command will effectively remove Element from your Debian system installed with Flatpak that utilized the Flathub repository.

Summary of Installing Element

Throughout this guide, we have embarked on installing and managing Element, an open-source messenger client, on Debian Linux, be it Debian 12 Bookworm, Debian 11 Bullseye, or Debian 10 Buster. We have covered everything from initiating Element via the command line interface (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI) to proactively managing the installation by regularly updating the software and, if necessary, removing it from the system. You should now be comfortable navigating these processes and maintaining the software efficiently.

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