How to Install Okular on Fedora Linux

Okular is a popular open-source document viewer and annotator for Linux, Unix, and Windows platforms. It was first released in 2005 and became a widely-used software for viewing and annotating PDF, Postscript, and other document formats. Okular offers a more user-friendly and customizable experience than similar software, making it an excellent choice for users looking for an efficient document viewer.

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide on how to install Okular on Fedora Linux using two methods, the DNF Package Manager or Flatpak with Flathub. Whether you are a new or experienced Linux user, this guide will help you to easily install Okular and start using its powerful features to view and annotate your documents.

Here’s a comparison table between Okular and other popular document viewers:

Feature	Okular	Adobe Acrobat	Foxit Reader	Evince
Document Formats	PDF, Postscript, DjVu, CHM, and more	PDF	PDF	PDF, Postscript, DjVu
Annotation	Customizable annotations, including text, highlights, underlines, and more	Customizable annotations, including text, highlights, underlines, and more	Customizable annotations, including text, highlights, underlines, and more	Basic annotations, including text and highlights
Document Comparison	Built-in document comparison feature	Built-in document comparison feature	No built-in document comparison feature	No built-in document comparison feature
User Interface	User-friendly, customizable interface	Intuitive interface but can be cluttered with menus	Intuitive interface but can be cluttered with menus	Simple but less customizable interface
Performance	Fast and responsive	Fast and responsive	Fast and responsive	Fast and responsive

It’s worth noting that this table only includes a few key features and is not meant to compare all the features offered by each software comprehensively. However, it should give you an idea of how Okular compares to other popular document viewers regarding key features and capabilities.

Step 1: Update Fedora

Before installing any new software, updating your system to the latest version is recommended. You can do this by running the following command in the terminal.

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Method 1: Install Okular with DNF

The Fedora default DNF repository is the first method of installing Okular on Fedora Linux. This option is considered stable and secure and is recommended for users who prioritize stability and security over the latest updates. However, it should be noted that the version available through the DNF repository may be outdated compared to the alternative option.

To install Okular using the DNF package manager, run the following command in your terminal.

sudo dnf install okular

An alternative option for installing Okular on Fedora Linux is using Flatpak. Flatpak is a natively installed package manager on Fedora that often contains newer versions of software compared to the Fedora repository. However, it’s important to note that, unlike other Linux distributions, the version of Okular available through the Fedora repository may not necessarily be outdated. In some cases, it may even be the same or only one version behind compared to the version available on CentOS, for example.

Method 2: Install Okular with Flatpak

The second method for installing Okular on Fedora Linux is using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak comes pre-installed on Fedora unless it has been removed, and it is a popular alternative to Snap. It is widely used across multiple Linux distributions as a third-party package manager for accessing the latest software packages.

First, if you have previously removed the Flatpak package manager, you will need to reinstall it before proceeding with the installation of Okular.

Install Flatpak (Situational)

sudo dnf install flatpak -y

Next, you will need to enable Flatpak by executing the following command in your terminal.

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

It is recommended to reboot your system at this stage. If you skip this step and encounter issues with icons not appearing, rebooting will generate the necessary paths for future use.

reboot

Install Okular with Flatpack and Flathub

Now, you can proceed with the installation of Okular using the Flatpak command.

flatpak install flathub org.kde.okular -y

Fedora Flatpak Troubleshoot with Okular

The error message below is a common issue when installing a Flatpak from Flathub.

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

The solution to this issue is straightforward. Run the following command to activate Flathub.

sudo flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

Another potential issue during the installation process is a lack of access to system files. The command below should only be used if you do not have permission to access the necessary files for the installation.

sudo flatpak override org.kde.okular --filesystem=host

It is crucial to remember that this command should only be used as a last resort and only if you are encountering issues with opening files. If it is not necessary, it should not be used by default.

How to Launch Okular

With the software now installed, there are a few ways to launch it. One of the simplest methods is to immediately launch the application by entering the following command in your terminal.

okular

Finally, Flatpak users can launch Okular from the terminal using the following command.

flatpak run org.kde.okular

However, using the terminal may not be the most convenient option, in which case you can also open Okular by using the following path on your desktop.

Activities > Show Applications > Okular

Example:

When you first open Okular, you will be presented with its default landing screen, ready for you to start using the document viewer. Although the default viewer window is minimalistic, the settings menu offers several configuration options that allow you to tailor the appearance and behavior of the application to your preferences.

Example:

Before diving into your work with Okular, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with its features and settings. For example, you can adjust the display size, background color, and page layout. You can also configure Okular to automatically fit the page to the window or display two side-by-side pages. Additionally, you can choose to have Okular remember your last viewed page, open documents in full-screen mode, and much more.

Additional Commands & Tips

Update Okular on Fedora

It’s a good idea to regularly check for updates to ensure that you have the latest version of Okular installed on your system. You can check for updates through notifications or a terminal command. If updates don’t appear in notifications, it’s recommended to run one of the following terminal commands to check for updates manually.

Update Okular DNF Method

sudo dnf update --refresh

Update Okular Flatpak Method

flatpak update

Remove (Uninstall) Okular on Fedora

Use one of the following commands to remove Okular, depending on the original installation method.

Okular DNF Remove Method

sudo dnf autoremove okular

Note that running the autoremove command will delete the Okular application and any unused packages or leftover files from previous applications. This is usually safe and helps keep your system from becoming cluttered. It is recommended to run autoremove to maintain the efficiency of your system regularly.

Okular Flatpak Remove Method

flatpak remove  --delete-data org.kde.okular

Next, execute the following command for any necessary clean-up tasks, similar to the autoremove command mentioned for the DNF removal example command.

flatpak remove --unused

Conclusion

This article shows you how to install Okular on Fedora Linux using either the DNF Package Manager or Flatpak with Flathub. Both methods are straightforward, making it easy to start using Okular to view and annotate your documents. Whether you are a new or experienced Linux user, this guide should help you to install Okular quickly and easily.

Frequently Asked Questions