When it comes to audio players on Ubuntu, there is no shortage of options. However, one particular software stands out for its rich set of features, lightweight footprint, and compatibility with a wide range of audio formats: the QMMP player. This powerful audio player, designed specifically for Linux platforms, offers a seamless and enjoyable listening experience for Ubuntu users.
Why Ubuntu Users Should Consider QMMP Player
- Highly Customizable: QMMP boasts an array of customization options, from simple skin changes to advanced plugin configurations. This level of flexibility allows users to tailor the audio player to their specific preferences.
- Extensive Format Support: QMMP supports a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, OGG, FLAC, WMA, and many more. This ensures that users can enjoy their music collections without worrying about compatibility issues.
- Lightweight and Resource-Friendly: QMMP is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it an ideal choice for users with older hardware or limited system resources. The player’s minimal CPU and RAM usage help maintain optimal system performance.
- Advanced Playback Features: With features such as gapless playback, crossfading, and replay gain support, QMMP provides a professional-grade listening experience.
- Built-in Audio Effects: QMMP includes built-in audio effects like an equalizer, pitch shifting, and reverb, enabling users to enhance their audio playback experience without the need for additional software.
- Easy Playlist Management: Managing playlists is a breeze with QMMP’s intuitive interface, making it easy to create, edit, and save playlists in various formats.
QMMP Player vs. Other Audio Players
While there are many audio players available for Ubuntu, QMMP distinguishes itself through its unique combination of features and performance:
- QMMP’s lightweight design and resource efficiency set it apart from more resource-intensive players like Rhythmbox and Amarok.
- Unlike some audio players, QMMP supports a broad range of audio formats, ensuring compatibility with nearly any music collection.
- QMMP’s extensive customization options and advanced playback features make it a more versatile choice compared to simpler players like Audacious.
To summarize the introduction, the QMMP player is an excellent choice for Ubuntu users who value customization, wide format support, and a lightweight, resource-friendly audio player. The following guide will demonstrate how to install QMMP on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa using apt or Flatpak.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Installing QMMP with APT
Step 1: Update Your Ubuntu System
To ensure a smooth installation process and minimize potential conflicts with existing packages, it is crucial first to update your Ubuntu system. The following command updates the package list and upgrades installed packages:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Step 2: Import QMMP PPA
The most reliable way to install QMMP using the APT package manager is by importing the Personal Package Archive (PPA) maintained by Ilya Kotov. This PPA includes the latest version of QMMP and its dependencies. To add the PPA to your system, run the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:forkotov02/ppa -y
Step 3: Update the Package List
After adding the QMMP PPA, it is necessary to update the package list once more to ensure that the APT package manager is aware of the newly available software. To do this, execute the following command:
sudo apt update
Step 4: Install QMMP and Plugin Pack
Now that your system is up to date and the QMMP PPA has been imported, you can proceed with the installation of QMMP and its plugin pack. The command below installs both the main QMMP application built with the Qt6 framework and the corresponding plugin pack:
sudo apt install qmmp-qt6 qmmp-plugin-pack-qt6
Section 2: Install QMMP with Flatpak and Flathub
In this section, we’ll explore an alternative method to install QMMP using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak is a universal packaging format for Linux distributions, similar to Snap. It offers several benefits, such as isolation from the system, easy updates, and the ability to run multiple versions of an application simultaneously.
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.
Step 1: Enable Flathub
Before installing QMMP through Flatpak, you must enable the Flathub repository, a primary source for Flatpak applications. To enable Flathub, execute the following command in your terminal:
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 variety of applications, including QMMP.
Step 2: Install QMMP
With Flathub enabled, you can now proceed to install QMMP using the flatpak install
command. Run the following command in your terminal:
flatpak install flathub com.ylsoftware.qmmp.Qmmp -y
This command installs QMMP from the Flathub repository, providing you with the latest version of the application. By opting for the Flatpak installation method, you benefit from the application’s isolation from the system, simplified updates, and the ability to run multiple versions concurrently if necessary.
Section 3: Launching QMMP
Now that you have QMMP installed on your system, there are several ways to launch the application depending on your preferred method and installation type.
Step 1: Launch QMMP Using the Command Line
For users who installed QMMP using the APT package manager, you can launch the application by simply running the following command in your terminal:
qmmp
If you installed QMMP using Flatpak, you will need to use a slightly different command to launch the application. Run the following command in your terminal:
flatpak run com.ylsoftware.qmmp.Qmmp
Step 2: Launch QMMP from the Desktop Environment
For those who prefer a more graphical approach, you can launch QMMP directly from your desktop environment. Most desktop users may elect to use the application icon to open the Qt-based Multimedia Player. To do this, follow the path below:
Activities > Show Applications > QMMP
Example:
Section 4: Getting Started with QMMP on Ubuntu Linux
In this section, we’ll cover some useful tips and tricks to help you get the most out of QMMP Player on Ubuntu Linux. From general tips to customizations and other helpful hints, we’ve got you covered. Remember, these tips are specifically for Ubuntu Linux users.
General Tips
- Stay up to date: Always keep your QMMP Player updated to ensure the best performance, stability, and access to the latest features. You can do this by regularly updating your system and software packages.
- Explore the interface: Familiarize yourself with QMMP’s user interface, including the playlist manager, equalizer, and settings options. This will help you customize and control your audio playback experience.
Customizations
- Change the skin: Customize the look and feel of QMMP by applying different skins. You can download additional skins from the QMMP website or create your own. To change the skin, go to
Settings > Appearance > Skins
. - Configure the equalizer: Enhance your audio experience by adjusting the equalizer settings. You can create custom presets or choose from a list of predefined ones. Access the equalizer by clicking on the
Equalizer
button on the main interface.
Other Tips
- Add plugins: Extend QMMP’s functionality by installing additional plugins. These plugins can provide support for new file formats, visualizations, or extra features. To manage your plugins, navigate to
Settings > Plugins
. - Keyboard shortcuts: Speed up your workflow by learning and using QMMP’s keyboard shortcuts. Some commonly used shortcuts include:
Ctrl + O
: Open filesCtrl + P
: Open settings dialogCtrl + Q
: Quit QMMPSpace
: Play or pause playbackN
: Play next trackB
: Play previous track
By incorporating these tips and customizations into your daily use of QMMP, you can enhance your audio playback experience on Ubuntu Linux. Explore the various settings, plugins, and features available to make QMMP a powerful and personalized audio player tailored to your needs.
Example of QMMP default UI once launched on Ubuntu Linux:

Section 5: Additional QMMP Commands on Ubuntu Linux
In this section, we will cover several useful QMMP commands for Ubuntu Linux users, including updating, and uninstalling the application. These commands will help you manage your QMMP installation more efficiently.
Updating QMMP
To keep your QMMP installation up-to-date, open your terminal and execute the appropriate command based on your installation method:
For APT Installation Method
sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade
This command updates your system package list and upgrades all packages, including QMMP, that use the APT package manager. For users new to Linux, it is recommended to run this command frequently to ensure your system works as intended, even if you have automatic GUI updates or notifications.
For Flatpak Installation Method
flatpak update
This command updates all your Flatpak applications, including QMMP.
Removing (Uninstalling) QMMP
If you no longer require QMMP and want to uninstall it, use the appropriate command based on your installation method:
For APT Installation Method
sudo apt remove qmmp
After removing QMMP, you should also remove the PPA if you are not planning to use the software again:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:forkotov02/ppa -y
For Flatpak Installation Method
flatpak uninstall --delete-data com.ylsoftware.qmmp.Qmmp
Closing Thoughts on Installing Qmmp with Ubuntu Linux
In this guide, we have explored the installation of QMMP on Ubuntu Linux using both the APT and Flatpak methods. We have also discussed how to launch, update, and uninstall the application, as well as some tips to get started with QMMP. By following these steps, you can enjoy a seamless multimedia experience using QMMP on your Ubuntu system.
Additional Resources and Links
For further information and assistance, consider checking out the following official sources:
- QMMP Official Website: Visit the official website to learn more about QMMP, its features, and its development. The site provides the latest news and updates related to QMMP.