How to Install Google Chrome on openSUSE

This guide will demonstrate how to install Google Chrome on openSUSE Leap or Tumbleweed using the command-line terminal and Google Chrome’s official RPM mirror for the latest version and future upgrades. The RPM package includes three builds: stable, beta, and unstable (dev).

Google Chrome stands out as a premier web browser, renowned for its speed, efficiency, and user-friendly design. At its core, Chrome offers a seamless browsing experience, optimized for both performance and security. Its integration with Google’s services enhances functionality, allowing for a more personalized web interaction. Here are key features that distinguish Google Chrome:

  • Speed: Chrome is designed to be fast in every possible way, from quick startup and web page loading to instant search results and application launches.
  • Simplicity: The browser offers a clean, intuitive interface that makes navigation effortless.
  • Security: With built-in protection against malware and phishing, Chrome prioritizes user safety online.
  • Customization: Users can tailor Chrome through themes, extensions, and apps to fit their preferences.
  • Privacy: Features like Incognito Mode offer privacy-focused browsing, minimizing data retention.
  • Syncing: Chrome synchronizes bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings across devices, providing a consistent user experience.
  • Developer Tools: A suite of tools embedded in Chrome supports web development and debugging directly in the browser.
  • Automatic Updates: Chrome ensures the latest features and security updates are automatically applied, keeping the browser up-to-date.

With these features, Google Chrome not only delivers a robust platform for accessing the web but also enhances user engagement through a blend of speed, security, and flexibility. Transitioning now to the technical aspects, let’s dive into the installation process on openSUSE.

Install Google Chrome on openSUSE

Update openSUSE Before Google Chrome Installation

Before installing Google Chrome, it is essential to ensure that your system is up-to-date to avoid any conflicts during the installation. To do this, you can use the following terminal commands:

sudo zypper ref
sudo zypper up

These commands will refresh the repository information and upgrade the installed packages to their latest versions.

Import Google GPG Key

To ensure the authenticity and integrity of the Google Chrome package, you need to download and import the GPG key. First, download the GPG key using the following wget command:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub

Next, import the GPG key with this command:

sudo rpm --import linux_signing_key.pub

Import Google Chrome RPM

For openSUSE-based systems, the three repository branches (stable, beta, and unstable) are imported together. To import the Google Chrome repository, use the following command:

sudo zypper ar http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/rpm/stable/x86_64 Google-Chrome

After adding the repository, update the package manager’s cache to include the latest information from the new repository:

sudo zypper ref -f

Install Google Chrome on openSUSE via Zypper Command

Three versions of Google Chrome are available for installation: stable, beta, and unstable. The stable version is the most recommended for everyday use.

Install Google Chrome Stable

To install the stable version of Google Chrome, use the following command:

sudo zypper in google-chrome-stable

Verify the build and version of Chrome installed with this command:

google-chrome --version

Install Google Chrome Beta and Unstable (Optional)

For those who enjoy testing new features or developers who require the latest functionalities, you can also install the beta or unstable versions of Google Chrome. These versions are installed separately and do not replace the stable version.

Install Google Chrome Beta on openSUSE

To install the beta version of Google Chrome, use the following command:

sudo zypper in google-chrome-beta

Verify the installation with this command:

google-chrome-beta --version

Install Google Chrome Unstable on openSUSE

To install the unstable version of Google Chrome, use the following command:

sudo zypper in google-chrome-unstable

Verify the installation with this command:

google-chrome-unstable --version

Launch Google Chrome on openSUSE via CLI or GUI

After installing, you can launch Google Chrome using the command line or the application icon.

CLI Method to Launch Google Chrome

To open Google Chrome via the command line, use the following command in your terminal:

google-chrome-stable

If you have installed the beta or unstable version of the browser, you will need to include -beta or -unstable after the google-chrome command in the terminal:

google-chrome-beta
google-chrome-unstable

GUI Method to Launch Google Chrome

Alternatively, you can launch Google Chrome by finding the application icon and clicking on it via the application launcher.

GNOME:

Navigate to Activities > Show Applications > Google Chrome {version}.

KDE, XFCE:

Navigate to Taskbar > Internet > Google Chrome {version}.

In both cases, {version} should be replaced with the specific version of Google Chrome you installed (e.g., stable, beta, or unstable).

Google Chrome launch icon on openSUSE Leap or Tumbleweed.
Click to launch and experience Google Chrome on openSUSE Leap or Tumbleweed.

First-Time Tips with Google Chrome on openSUSE

This section will explore tips, customizations, and other helpful information to enhance your Google Chrome experience on openSUSE or Linux-based systems.

Customizing Google Chrome on openSUSE

Customize your Google Chrome browser to suit your preferences better and improve your browsing experience:

  1. Install Extensions: Enhance your browser’s functionality by installing extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Extensions can add new features, improve existing ones, or streamline your browsing experience.
  2. Change the Theme: Personalize your browser by applying a new theme from the Chrome Web Store. You can choose from various themes to match your style or desktop environment.
  3. Manage Your Bookmarks: Organize your bookmarks by creating folders and categorizing them. To create a new bookmark, press Ctrl+D on your keyboard or click the star icon in the address bar.
  4. Customize the New Tab Page: Personalize the New Tab page by customizing the shortcuts, background image, and appearance. To do this, click on the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the New Tab page.

General Tips for Using Google Chrome

Here are some general tips to help you make the most of Google Chrome on openSUSE:

  1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Speed up your browsing experience by mastering keyboard shortcuts. Some commonly used shortcuts include Ctrl+T (new tab), Ctrl+W (close tab), Ctrl+Shift+T (reopen closed tab), and Ctrl+Tab (switch between tabs).
  2. Enable Sync: Sign in to your Google account to sync your bookmarks, history, extensions, and other browser settings across devices. To sign in, click on the profile icon in the top-right corner of the browser window and follow the prompts.
  3. Manage Your Privacy Settings: Customize your privacy settings by going to chrome://settings/privacy. You can control cookies, site data, and other privacy-related settings from this page.
  4. Use Incognito Mode: Browse the web privately using Incognito Mode, which doesn’t save your browsing history or site data. To open an Incognito window, press Ctrl+Shift+N on your keyboard, click the menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner of the browser window, and select “New Incognito Window.”

Other Tips for Enhancing Your Google Chrome Experience

Here are some additional tips to help you get the most out of Google Chrome on openSUSE:

  1. Inspect Element and Developer Tools: Access Google Chrome’s built-in developer tools by pressing Ctrl+Shift+I or right-clicking on any element and selecting “Inspect.” These tools help debug and optimize web applications.
  2. Pin Tabs: Keep frequently visited websites easily accessible by pinning them as tabs. To pin a tab, right-click on it and select “Pin.”
  3. Manage Notifications: Control which websites can send you notifications by going to chrome://settings/content/notifications. You can block or allow notifications from specific sites or manage global settings.
  4. Use Chrome Flags: Access experimental features and settings by navigating to chrome://flags. Be cautious when enabling these features, as they may be unstable or affect your browser’s performance.
Google Chrome browser window active on openSUSE Leap or Tumbleweed.
Google Chrome up and running smoothly on openSUSE Leap or Tumbleweed.

Additional Google Chrome Commands with openSUSE

This section will cover some essential command-line operations for managing Google Chrome on openSUSE, such as updating and removing the browser.

Update Google Chrome

While Google Chrome updates are usually managed by the Zypper package manager and are installed automatically along with other system updates, it’s good practice to check for updates manually regularly. This ensures you always have the latest version of Google Chrome, especially if using the GUI update method.

Refresh the package repositories:

sudo zypper ref

Check for updates and install them:

sudo zypper update

Remove Google Chrome

If you decide to remove Google Chrome from your system, you can do so using the following commands, depending on the version of Chrome installed.

Remove Google Chrome Stable:

sudo zypper remove google-chrome-stable

When removing Google Chrome, any unused dependencies will also be removed.

If you have installed the beta or unstable versions of Google Chrome alongside the stable version, you can remove them using the appropriate commands below.

Remove Google Chrome Beta:

sudo zypper remove google-chrome-beta

Remove Google Chrome Unstable:

sudo zypper remove google-chrome-unstable

Conclusion

In wrapping up, this guide walked you through installing Google Chrome on your openSUSE Leap or Tumbleweed system using the command-line terminal and Google’s official RPM repository. Remember, whether you’re chasing the stability of the stable build, eager to try new features with the beta, or living on the edge with the dev version, Chrome has got you covered. Keep it updated for the best performance and security, and don’t forget to explore Chrome’s extensive features to enhance your browsing experience.

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