How to Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu (26.04, 24.04, 22.04)

Google Chrome is available for Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04, and 22.04 through Google’s official APT repository, with a community-maintained Flatpak also available on Flathub. To download and install Google Chrome on Ubuntu from the command line, add Google’s repository, install the google-chrome-stable package with APT, and let future updates arrive through normal package upgrades. Chrome remains a common choice for Google Workspace access, web development testing, and sites tuned for the Blink rendering engine.

Google Chrome is not in Ubuntu’s default repositories, so apt install google-chrome-stable works only after you add Google’s repo. Google does not provide an Ubuntu PPA or Snap package, and Linux builds are limited to amd64 systems. The steps below cover the stable release first, then beta, unstable, canary, Flatpak, updates, removal, and troubleshooting.

Method	Channel	Version	Updates	Best For
APT (Official repo)	Google APT Repository	Latest stable	Automatic via APT upgrades	Most users who want direct Google releases with all four channels
Flatpak	Flathub	Latest stable	Automatic via Flatpak updates	Users who prefer sandboxed applications or already use Flatpak

Set Up the Google Chrome APT Repository on Ubuntu

Google Chrome requires adding Google’s official APT repository before installation. This section configures the GPG signing key and DEB822 repository file.

Update Ubuntu Package Lists

Refresh your system’s package index to ensure you install the latest versions of any prerequisites:

sudo apt update

This guide uses sudo for commands that need root privileges. If your user is not in the sudoers file yet, follow the guide on how to add and manage sudo users on Ubuntu.

Install Required Chrome Dependencies

Install the packages needed for secure downloads and GPG key management:

sudo apt install ca-certificates curl -y

The -y flag automatically confirms the installation prompt. This command installs certificate handling for HTTPS connections and the curl command for downloading files. Ubuntu includes the gpg command by default for GPG key operations.

Google Chrome Release Channels

Google publishes Chrome through four release channels. All channels are available from the same repository, so you can install multiple versions side-by-side.

Channel	Package Name	Stability	Best For
Stable	google-chrome-stable	High	Daily browsing, production use
Beta	google-chrome-beta	Moderate	Preview features 4-6 weeks before stable
Unstable (Dev)	google-chrome-unstable	Low	Early development testing
Canary	google-chrome-canary	Very Low	Experimental builds updated daily

Most users should install the stable channel. The beta, unstable, and canary channels receive updates more frequently and may contain bugs that make them unsuitable for daily use.

Import Google Chrome’s GPG Signing Key

APT requires a GPG key to verify the authenticity of packages downloaded from external repositories. Download Google’s public signing key, convert it to binary format, and store it in the system keyring directory:

curl -fsSL https://dl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/google-chrome.gpg

The -fsSL flags tell curl to fail silently on HTTP errors, suppress progress output, and follow redirects. The --dearmor flag converts the key from ASCII-armored format to binary, which APT requires. Your system can now verify packages signed by Google during installation and updates.

Add the Google Chrome APT Repository

Create a repository configuration file using the modern DEB822 format, which is clearer and more maintainable than the legacy one-line format:

cat <<EOF | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.sources
Types: deb
URIs: https://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/
Suites: stable
Components: main
Architectures: amd64
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/google-chrome.gpg
EOF

The cat <<EOF | sudo tee pattern writes everything between the two EOF markers into the target file with root permissions. You can paste this entire block into your terminal and it runs as a single command. Each line in this configuration serves a specific purpose:

• Types: deb specifies binary packages (not source packages)
• URIs points to Google’s package server
• Suites: stable is the repository branch (despite the name, all four Chrome channels are available from this branch)
• Architectures: amd64 limits packages to 64-bit (Google does not publish 32-bit Chrome packages)
• Signed-By links to the GPG key you imported earlier

The Google Chrome repository uses a universal package format that works on all current Ubuntu releases, including 26.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, 22.04 LTS, and interim versions. Commands shown in this guide work identically regardless of your specific Ubuntu version.

Verify the Chrome Repository Configuration

Refresh your package lists to include the new repository:

sudo apt update

Confirm the repository is working by checking the package sources:

apt-cache policy google-chrome-stable

The output should show Google’s repository as the package source:

google-chrome-stable:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 145.0.7632.116-1
  Version table:
     145.0.7632.116-1 500
        500 https://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb stable/main amd64 Packages

If you see the https://dl.google.com URL in the output, the repository is configured correctly. The version number will differ as Google releases updates.

Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu

With the repository configured, install your preferred Chrome channel using APT.

Install Google Chrome Stable

The stable version receives updates after thorough testing by Google’s quality assurance teams, making it the safest choice for daily browsing:

sudo apt install google-chrome-stable

Verify the installation by checking the version:

google-chrome --version

Google Chrome 145.0.7632.116

Your version number will reflect the latest stable release at installation time. Chrome updates automatically through the repository, so the version may change after system updates.

Install Chrome Beta, Unstable, or Canary Builds

For early access to experimental features, install an alternate channel. Each channel installs as a separate application, so you can run multiple versions simultaneously:

Install the beta version (one to two major versions ahead of stable):

sudo apt install google-chrome-beta

Install the unstable (dev) version for active development testing:

sudo apt install google-chrome-unstable

Install the canary version for the absolute latest experimental builds:

sudo apt install google-chrome-canary

Verify your chosen channel with its specific version command:

google-chrome-beta --version
google-chrome-unstable --version
google-chrome-canary --version

The unstable and canary channels may contain bugs and stability issues unsuitable for production environments. Use the stable channel for daily browsing and reserve these channels for testing new features or web development.

Install Google Chrome with Flatpak on Ubuntu

Google Chrome is available as a community-maintained Flatpak on Flathub. This is an unofficial wrapper not verified by Google, but it receives regular updates and runs in a sandboxed environment that isolates Chrome from the rest of your system.

Flatpak must be installed with the Flathub repository enabled before proceeding. If Flatpak is not set up on your system, follow the Flatpak installation guide for Ubuntu to install the Flatpak framework and add the Flathub repository; this takes under five minutes.

Install Google Chrome Stable Flatpak on Ubuntu

Install the stable release of Google Chrome from Flathub at system scope:

sudo flatpak install flathub com.google.Chrome -y

The -y flag skips the interactive confirmation prompt. The sudo prefix installs at system scope, making Chrome available to all users on the machine.

Install Google Chrome Dev Flatpak on Ubuntu

For early access to development builds, install Google Chrome Dev (unstable channel) alongside or instead of the stable version:

sudo flatpak install flathub com.google.ChromeDev -y

Chrome Dev receives frequent updates with experimental features that may be less stable than the stable release.

Launch Google Chrome Flatpak on Ubuntu

Launch the Flatpak version from the terminal:

flatpak run com.google.Chrome

For Chrome Dev:

flatpak run com.google.ChromeDev

Both versions also appear in the GNOME Activities menu after installation. The Flatpak version runs in a sandbox with limited access to host system files by default.

Update Google Chrome Flatpak on Ubuntu

Update all Flatpak applications, including Chrome, with a single command:

sudo flatpak update

To update only Chrome without affecting other Flatpak applications:

sudo flatpak update com.google.Chrome

Remove Google Chrome Flatpak from Ubuntu

Uninstall the Chrome Flatpak and remove unused runtimes:

sudo flatpak uninstall com.google.Chrome
sudo flatpak uninstall --unused

For Chrome Dev:

sudo flatpak uninstall com.google.ChromeDev

Flatpak stores user data separately from the application. To remove Chrome’s Flatpak data directory:

rm -rf ~/.var/app/com.google.Chrome
rm -rf ~/.var/app/com.google.ChromeDev

Launch Google Chrome on Ubuntu

Launch Google Chrome from Terminal

Launch Google Chrome Stable from the terminal:

google-chrome

If you installed other channels, launch them with their specific commands:

Channel	Launch Command
Beta	google-chrome-beta
Unstable (Dev)	google-chrome-unstable
Canary	google-chrome-canary

Launch Google Chrome from Applications Menu

Open Chrome through the graphical interface:

1. Click Activities in the top-left corner of your screen (or press the Super key).
2. Type “Chrome” in the search field.
3. Click the Google Chrome icon to launch. If you have multiple versions installed, they appear as separate entries: Google Chrome, Google Chrome (Beta), Google Chrome (Unstable), and Google Chrome (Canary).

Configure Google Chrome on Ubuntu

When you open Google Chrome for the first time on Ubuntu, several prompts help configure the browser for your preferences. These setup steps are optional but personalize your browsing experience.

Chrome Keychain Password Prompt on Ubuntu

Ubuntu may prompt you to set up or unlock a keychain password. The keychain stores passwords for websites and applications securely. Enter your user password or create a new keychain password, or click Cancel to skip keychain integration.

Set Google Chrome as Default Browser on Ubuntu

Chrome will ask whether you want to make it the default browser. Click “Set as Default” to replace your current default (usually Firefox on Ubuntu), or close the prompt to keep your existing default.

Chrome Usage Statistics and Crash Reports on Ubuntu

Chrome displays an option to send usage statistics and crash reports to Google, which helps improve the browser. Select or deselect the checkbox based on your privacy preferences.

Sign In to Google Chrome on Ubuntu

Chrome allows you to sign in with your Google account to sync bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings across devices. This is optional, and you can skip it by clicking the X in the sign-in tab or selecting “Continue without account.”

Update Google Chrome on Ubuntu

Keep Google Chrome Updated with APT

The APT repository you configured delivers Chrome updates automatically alongside your system packages. Refresh your package lists and upgrade all packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

To update only Chrome without upgrading other packages, use the --only-upgrade flag with the specific package name:

sudo apt install --only-upgrade google-chrome-stable

Replace google-chrome-stable with google-chrome-beta, google-chrome-unstable, or google-chrome-canary to update a different channel.

Remove Google Chrome from Ubuntu

If you no longer need Google Chrome, remove it along with its repository configuration.

Uninstall Google Chrome Packages

Use the appropriate command based on the channel you installed. The purge option removes the package along with its system-level configuration files, unlike remove which leaves config files behind:

sudo apt purge google-chrome-stable

For other channels:

sudo apt purge google-chrome-beta
sudo apt purge google-chrome-unstable
sudo apt purge google-chrome-canary

Remove unused dependencies Chrome installed:

sudo apt autoremove --purge

Remove Chrome Repository and GPG Key

Delete the repository configuration file and GPG key to prevent APT from checking for Chrome updates:

sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.sources
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list
sudo rm -f /usr/share/keyrings/google-chrome.gpg

The second line removes a legacy .list file that Chrome’s installer may have created. Refresh your package lists:

sudo apt update

Verify the repository is no longer active:

apt-cache policy google-chrome-stable

The command should return empty output, confirming no repository provides the package.

Remove Chrome User Data (Optional)

The following commands permanently delete your Chrome profile data, including bookmarks, saved passwords, extensions, and browsing history. Back up these directories first if you want to preserve this data for a future Chrome reinstallation.

Remove all Chrome configuration and cache files from your home directory. The -rf flags force recursive deletion without prompting:

rm -rf ~/.config/google-chrome*
rm -rf ~/.cache/google-chrome*
rm -rf ~/.local/share/applications/google-chrome*.desktop

After running these commands, Google Chrome is fully removed with no residual configuration or cache files.

Troubleshoot Google Chrome on Ubuntu

Fix Chrome Duplicate Repository Warnings on Ubuntu

Google’s Chrome installer sometimes creates a legacy google-chrome.list file during package installation, even when you have already configured the modern .sources format. This causes duplicate repository warnings during apt update:

W: Target Packages (main/binary-amd64/Packages) is configured multiple times in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list:1 and /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.sources:1

Remove the duplicate file to resolve the warning:

sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome*.list
sudo apt update

The .list files do not reappear during Chrome updates because Google’s installer creates them only on first install. A complete reinstallation would recreate them, requiring you to remove them again.

Fix Chrome Signed-By Conflicts on Ubuntu

If apt update fails with a Conflicting values set for option Signed-By error that mentions different key paths such as /var/lib/extrepo/keys/google_chrome.asc and /usr/share/keyrings/google-chrome.gpg, your system has more than one Chrome repository definition. This usually happens when an older or alternative Chrome source is still present and you then add another source for the same Google repository.

E: Conflicting values set for option Signed-By regarding source http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable: /var/lib/extrepo/keys/google_chrome.asc != /usr/share/keyrings/google-chrome.gpg
E: The list of sources could not be read.

Check which Chrome source files are present before removing anything:

grep -Ril "dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb" /etc/apt/sources.list.d 2>/dev/null

A conflicting setup usually shows two Chrome source files. One common example looks like this:

/etc/apt/sources.list.d/extrepo_google_chrome.sources
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.sources

If you are following this guide and want to keep the manual DEB822 setup, keep /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.sources and remove the other Chrome source file shown in your output. One common cleanup command looks like this:

sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/extrepo_google_chrome.sources
sudo apt update

If you prefer to keep the older or alternative source instead, remove the manual source file and the manual keyring from this article, then refresh APT:

sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.sources
sudo rm -f /usr/share/keyrings/google-chrome.gpg
sudo apt update

After cleanup, recheck the Chrome source files and verify the package source. A healthy setup returns only one Chrome repository file and shows https://dl.google.com in the version table:

grep -Ril "dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb" /etc/apt/sources.list.d 2>/dev/null
apt-cache policy google-chrome-stable

/etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.sources

google-chrome-stable:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 145.0.7632.116-1
  Version table:
     145.0.7632.116-1 500
        500 https://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb stable/main amd64 Packages

Fix Chrome GPU Errors on Ubuntu

Chrome may fail to start on systems with certain GPU configurations or when running in virtual machines. Launch Chrome with GPU sandboxing disabled to diagnose the issue:

google-chrome --disable-gpu-sandbox

If Chrome starts successfully with this flag, the issue is GPU-related. You can also disable GPU acceleration entirely:

google-chrome --disable-gpu

For a permanent fix, check Chrome’s GPU status by navigating to chrome://gpu in the address bar. This page shows which GPU features are enabled or disabled and any blocklist reasons.

Fix Chrome Crashes on Wayland Sessions on Ubuntu

Ubuntu 24.04 and newer default to Wayland sessions. If Chrome crashes or displays rendering issues, force Chrome to run in X11 mode:

google-chrome --ozone-platform=x11

For better performance on modern hardware, force native Wayland mode instead:

google-chrome --ozone-platform=wayland

To make this setting permanent, edit Chrome’s desktop file or create a persistent launch configuration.

Fix Missing Fonts or Emoji in Chrome on Ubuntu

If web pages display placeholder boxes instead of characters or emoji, install additional font packages:

sudo apt install fonts-noto-color-emoji fonts-noto fonts-liberation

Restart Chrome after installing the fonts for changes to take effect.

Fix Chrome Profile Locked Error on Ubuntu

If Chrome reports “Your profile could not be opened correctly” or displays a lock error, a previous Chrome process may have exited uncleanly. Remove the lock file:

rm ~/.config/google-chrome/SingletonLock

Restart Chrome after removing the lock file.

Fix Chrome NO_PUBKEY GPG Error on Ubuntu

If apt update returns an error like NO_PUBKEY 32EE5355A6BC6E42, the GPG key is missing or corrupted. Re-import the key:

sudo rm -f /usr/share/keyrings/google-chrome.gpg
curl -fsSL https://dl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/google-chrome.gpg
sudo apt update

The --dearmor flag converts the ASCII-armored key to binary format that APT requires. After re-importing, apt update should complete without GPG errors.

Google Chrome Resources and Documentation

These official resources provide additional information for managing and troubleshooting Chrome on Ubuntu:

• Google Chrome Release Blog: Updates on the latest stable, beta, and developer Chrome versions with changelogs and security fixes.
• Chrome Developer Release Notes: Developer-focused updates on new APIs, deprecations, and behavior changes.
• Google Chrome Help Center: Official guides for installation, troubleshooting, privacy settings, and browser optimization.
• Chrome Web Store: Extensions, apps, and themes to customize your browsing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Google Chrome is now installed on your Ubuntu system with automatic updates through either Google’s official APT repository or the Flatpak package from Flathub. The APT method provides DEB822 repository format with GPG key verification and access to all four release channels, while the Flatpak method runs Chrome in a sandboxed environment with isolated updates.

For alternative browsers, consider Chromium on Ubuntu as an open-source option, ungoogled-Chromium on Ubuntu for privacy, Brave Browser on Ubuntu for built-in ad blocking, Vivaldi on Ubuntu for deep customization, or Firefox ESR on Ubuntu for a non-Blink rendering engine.