How to Install Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 or 20.04

This guide will demonstrate how to install Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS Linux releases utilizing the command-line terminal with the APT Package Manager and the official Element.io APT Mirror or Flatpak with Flathub as an alternative method.

Element.io Desktop stands out as a powerful communication platform designed for privacy-conscious users and organizations. It leverages the Matrix protocol to provide end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your conversations remain private and secure. With features such as cross-platform messaging, voice and video calls, and file sharing, Element.io Desktop is tailored to meet the demands of modern, secure communication.

Key Highlights:

• End-to-End Encryption: Ensures that all communications are secure and private.
• Cross-Platform Messaging: Allows seamless communication across different devices.
• Voice and Video Calls: Offers high-quality calls integrated within the app.
• File Sharing: Enables easy sharing of files and documents.
• Group Chats and Rooms: Facilitates collaboration with features like topic-based rooms.
• Customizable Notifications: Keeps you informed without being overwhelming.
• Open Source: Guarantees transparency and the potential for community contributions.
• Decentralization: Empowers users with control over their data and communication.

Element.io Desktop combines the convenience of traditional messaging apps with the security features required for sensitive communications. Its user-friendly interface and robust functionality make it an excellent choice for individuals and teams looking for reliable and secure communication tools.

Now, let’s dive into the technical how-to.

Install Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu via APT PPA

Update Ubuntu System Before Element.io Installation

Our journey towards installing Element begins with ensuring that our Ubuntu system is up to speed with the latest package updates. To do this, run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Update Install Initial Packages for Element.io Desktop

Before proceeding to the installation of Element, we must ensure some prerequisite packages are present in our system. These packages – software-properties-common, apt-transport-https, and curl – provide essential utilities that would be necessary at various stages of our installation process.

Here’s the command to install these packages:

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

In this command, apt install installs new packages (in this case, software-properties-common, apt-transport-https, and curl), and the -y flag confirms that we wish to proceed with the operation without prompting us for confirmation.

Import Element.io APT PPA on Ubuntu

Before you can install Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu, you need to add its repository to your system. But for security purposes, we first import Element’s GPG key. This key will be used to verify the integrity and authenticity of the packages being installed.

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

In this command, curl fetches the GPG key from the specified URL, and gpg --dearmor processes the key. The sudo tee command then writes the processed key to a specific file in your system.

Next, we add Element’s repository to our system’s list of 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’s details to the element-io.list file inside /etc/apt/sources.list.d/.

Refresh the Packages Index

With the Element repository now added to our system, we need to instruct apt to refresh its packages list. This ensures that apt is aware of the new packages available for installation from the newly added Element repository.

sudo apt update

Install Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu

Finally, we’ve reached the exciting part – installing Element! With all the preparatory steps completed, we can now ask apt to install the element-desktop package, which is the Element client for Linux.

sudo apt install element-desktop

Install Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu via Flatpak and Flathub

This section will discuss an alternate method of installing Element on your Ubuntu system: using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak, much like Snap, is a universal package system for software deployment, package management, and application virtualization. Its benefits include greater isolation of apps from the host system (improving security) and compatibility across different distributions of Linux.

Note: If your system does not have Flatpak installed, please refer to our guide on “How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu” for step-by-step instructions on installing the most recent supported version of Flatpak.

Enabling Flathub for Element.io Desktop

Flathub is the primary app store for distributing applications as Flatpaks. It hosts a wide range of applications, including Element. Before we can install Element, we first need to add the Flathub repository to our Flatpak configuration.

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

The flatpak remote-add command is used to add new repositories to Flatpak’s configuration, --if-not-exists ensures the command does nothing if the repository already exists, and the URL points to the Flathub repository.

Install Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu via Flatpak Command

Now that we have Flathub enabled in our Flatpak configuration, we can install Element. We will use the flatpak install command, specifying that we want to install from Flathub and that the application we’re interested in is im.riot.Riot.

flatpak install flathub im.riot.Riot -y

This command tells Flatpak to install the im.riot.Riot package from the flathub repository. The -y flag confirms that we wish to proceed with the operation without prompting us for confirmation.

Initiating Element with Ubuntu via CLI Commands or GUI Path

Now that we have successfully installed Element on our Ubuntu system, it’s time to get it up and running. Ubuntu offers two main methods for launching applications: Command Line Interface (CLI) and Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Launching Element.io via CLI on Ubuntu

To open Element using the terminal, type element and hit enter. Remember that Linux commands are case-sensitive; therefore, ‘Element’ and ‘element’ would be considered different commands.

element-desktop

Once the command is executed, Element should launch, displaying its GUI.

Alternatively, Flatpak installations will need to run the following command to launch Element:

flatpak run im.riot.Riot

Launching Element.io via GUI on Ubuntu

You can start Element from Ubuntu’s applications menu if you prefer using the Graphical User Interface (GUI). Here’s the path you need to follow:

Activities > Show Applications > Element

Just click on ‘Activities’ at your screen’s top left corner. Then, select ‘Show Applications’ (symbolized by a dotted square icon) at the bottom of the dock. It will display all your installed applications. Scroll through them or use the search bar to find ‘Element’. Click on the Element icon to launch it.

First-Time Tips with Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu

Now that Element.io Desktop is up and running on your Ubuntu system, here are some essential tips to help you get started and make the most of your new communication tool:

General Tips for Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu

• Explore Privacy Settings: Take a moment to go through the privacy settings. Element.io offers various options to manage your digital footprint, including who can invite you to rooms and how your participation is shared.
• Utilize the User Settings: Familiarize yourself with the User Settings menu. Here, you can adjust notifications, interface language, and accessibility options, tailoring Element.io to your needs.
• Secure Your Account: Strongly consider enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for an added layer of security. This helps protect your account from unauthorized access.

Customizing Element.io Desktop

• Theme Customization: Element.io Desktop allows you to switch between light and dark themes. Customize the appearance to suit your preference and reduce eye strain, especially during late-night sessions.
• Notification Control: Manage your notification preferences to stay informed without getting overwhelmed. You can set notifications for mentions, messages, and room invites, among others.
• Keyboard Shortcuts Customization: Dive into the settings to customize keyboard shortcuts. Tailoring these can significantly speed up your navigation within the app.
• Language and Region: Adjust the language and region settings to match your locale. This ensures that time and date formats are displayed correctly.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Efficient Use

• Switch between chats quickly: Use Ctrl + K to open the chat switcher and type the name of the person or room you want to jump to.
• Start a new chat: Press Ctrl + N to start a new chat without using your mouse.
• Toggle mute: Ctrl + Shift + M lets you quickly mute and unmute your microphone during voice or video calls.
• Mark all messages as read: Hit Shift + Esc to mark all messages in the current room as read, helping you manage notifications efficiently.

Other Useful Tips

• Customize Room Settings: Take advantage of the room settings to set permissions, notifications, and even the room’s appearance. This can enhance your communication experience, especially in group settings.
• Explore Integrations: Element.io supports a range of integrations with other services. Explore these to see how you can streamline your workflow by connecting your favorite tools.
• Use the Search Functionality: Element.io offers powerful search capabilities. Use them to find messages, files, and rooms quickly.

Now that you’re equipped with these tips, you’re ready to dive deeper into Element.io Desktop and explore all it offers.

Managing Element.io Desktop Installation with Ubuntu

Mastering the maintenance of software installations is a key component of efficient system administration. This section will walk you through the management procedures for Element on Ubuntu Linux, covering updates and removal processes.

Update Element.io Desktop

Consistently updating your software ensures you’re always running the latest features and security patches. The methods vary slightly depending on whether you initially installed Element via APT or Flatpak.

APT Update Command For Element.io Desktop

sudo apt update

Secondly, we upgrade the packages that are due for updates, which includes Element, using the following command:

sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak Update Command For Element.io Desktop

If you’ve installed Element via Flatpak, the update command is more straightforward. Simply enter the following command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak update

Remove Element.io Desktop

You may find yourself needing to uninstall Element for one reason or another. Here’s how to remove it from your system using either APT or Flatpak.

APT Remove Command For Element.io Desktop

Begin by removing the Element software:

sudo apt remove element-desktop

Next, we will remove the Element repository to prevent it from being used in future installations or updates:

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

For the sake of good system hygiene, it’s also advisable to remove the associated GPG key:

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

Flatpak Remove Command For Element.io Desktop

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

sudo flatpak uninstall im.riot.Riot

Final Thoughts

Throughout this guide, we’ve walked you through the steps to install Element.io Desktop on Ubuntu versions 24.04, 22.04, and 20.04 LTS, sharing first-time tips and tricks to get the most out of your new communication tool. Remember, keeping Element.io updated and exploring its customization options can greatly enhance your experience. We hope these insights help you navigate Element.io Desktop with ease, making your communication more secure and efficient. Don’t forget to dive into the settings, tweak it to your liking, and maybe even explore some keyboard shortcuts to speed things up. Happy chatting on Ubuntu!