How to Install Slack on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 or 20.04

This guide will demonstrate how to install Slack on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS utilizing the command-line terminal. Options include Slack’s .deb package, or using alternative package managers such as Snap or Flatpak with Flathub.

In the world of team communication, Slack stands out as a robust platform that effortlessly connects team members. Its design fosters both efficiency and productivity, ensuring that Slack scales to meet your needs whether you’re working on a small project or coordinating across a large enterprise. The platform’s commitment to a seamless user experience is evident through its compatibility across various devices and operating systems, including Ubuntu, a preferred choice for many due to its powerful performance and reliability.

Slack’s adoption on Ubuntu signifies a step towards streamlined communication and highlights the technical versatility and adaptability of Linux environments. Here are key features that make Slack indispensable for teams:

  • Real-time messaging across channels, private groups, and direct conversations.
  • File sharing with drag-and-drop functionality for easy collaboration.
  • Integration capabilities with a multitude of apps and services.
  • Voice and video calls to enhance team interaction.
  • Screen sharing to improve communication during meetings.
  • Workflow automation to streamline routine tasks.
  • Secure environment with robust data protection measures.
  • Customizable notifications to keep you updated without being overwhelmed.

These features underscore Slack’s utility in facilitating communication, comprehensive project management, and collaboration. Transitioning now to the technical steps, we’ll guide you through installing Slack on your Ubuntu system using three different methods, ensuring you can leverage these powerful features regardless of your technical preference or setup.

Let’s move forward with the detailed installation process.

Install Slack on Ubuntu via .deb

Update Ubuntu Before Slack Installation

To ensure a smooth installation process and maintain good practice, keeping your system up-to-date is crucial. This helps avoid potential issues during the installation process. Open your terminal and execute the following command to update your Ubuntu system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This command updates the package list and upgrades installed packages to their latest versions.

Download the Slack .deb Package on Ubuntu

After updating your system, proceed to download the Slack .deb package. First, visit the Slack downloads page and locate the most recent download link for the Debian package.

Once you’ve obtained the link, return to your terminal and use the wget command to download the package. Replace the example URL with the one you acquired from the Slack downloads page:

wget https://downloads.slack-edge.com/releases/linux/4.31.155/prod/x64/slack-desktop-4.31.155-amd64.deb

In this example, we’re using Slack version 4.31.155. Ensure to replace the version number with the one corresponding to the package you’ve downloaded.

Install Slack on Ubuntu via APT Command

With the Slack .deb package downloaded, you can now install it using the apt command. Execute the following command to install Slack on your system:

sudo apt install ./slack-desktop-4.31.155-amd64.deb 

Note: Remember to replace slack-desktop-4.31.155-amd64.deb with the filename of the package you’ve downloaded. This command installs Slack and any required dependencies automatically, making the process seamless and efficient.

Install Slack on Ubuntu via Flatpak and Flathub

This second method explores an alternative way to install Slack using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak is a universal package management system, similar to Snap, that allows you to install and manage applications in a secure and isolated environment. It offers benefits such as easy updates, sandboxing, and cross-distribution compatibility.

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.

Enable Flathub For Slack

Before installing Slack 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 various applications, including Slack.

Install Slack on Ubuntu via Flatpak Command

With Flathub enabled, you can now install Slack using the flatpak install command. Run the following command in your terminal:

flatpak install flathub com.slack.Slack -y

This command installs Slack from the Flathub repository, providing you with the latest version of the application.

Install Slack on Ubuntu via Snapcraft

We’ll install Slack through the Snapcraft package manager in this third method. Snapcraft, a universal package manager, emphasizes simplicity, security, and compatibility with various Linux distributions. Ubuntu systems already have Snapcraft, so installing applications like Slack is convenient.

Install Snap Core on Ubuntu

The first step is to install the Snap Core on your system. Snap Core is a fundamental component that provides the runtime environment for snaps. To install Snap Core, execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo snap install core

This command installs the Snap Core, ensuring your system is ready to manage Snap packages.

Install Slack on Ubuntu via Snap Command

With Snap Core, you can install Slack using the Snapcraft package manager. Run the following command in your terminal:

sudo snap install slack --classic

Launching Slack on Ubuntu via CLI Commands or GUI Path

You can launch the application in several ways after successfully installing Slack on your Ubuntu system. This section will guide you through the different methods to open Slack based on your chosen installation method.

CLI Methods to Launch Slack

If you installed Slack using the .deb package, you can launch the application by typing slack in the terminal:

slack

For users who installed Slack via Flatpak, you will need to use the following command in a terminal window to launch the application:

flatpak run com.slack.Slack

If you installed Slack using Snapcraft, you can launch the application with the following command:

snap run slack

GUI Method to Launch Slack

While the terminal commands are helpful, most users prefer a more practical approach for launching applications. To open Slack through your desktop environment, follow these steps:

  1. Click on Activities in the top left corner of your screen.
  2. Select Show Applications (usually represented by a grid of dots).
  3. Search for Slack in the application list or use the search bar.
  4. Click on the Slack icon to launch the application.
Launching Slack from the application menu in Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04.
How to open Slack from the Ubuntu application menu.

First-Time Tips with Slack on Ubuntu

This section will provide valuable tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Slack experience on Ubuntu Linux.

Customize Your Slack Workspace

Customizing your Slack workspace can improve your overall experience and productivity. Here are some ways you can personalize your workspace:

  • Change the theme: To change the theme, go to Preferences > Themes and choose from the available options, or create a custom theme with your favorite colors.
  • Configure notifications: Adjust your notification settings by navigating to Preferences > Notifications. Here, you can customize how and when you receive notifications from Slack.

Configure Slack Keyboard Shortcuts

Slack offers numerous keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate and interact with the application more efficiently. Some of the most commonly used shortcuts include:

  • Switch between channels: Use Alt + or Alt + to navigate through your open channels and direct messages.
  • Mark a message as unread: Press Shift + Alt + click on a message to mark it as unread.
  • Quickly search: Press Ctrl + K to open the search box and quickly find conversations, channels, or users.

You can find a complete list of keyboard shortcuts by pressing Ctrl + / in Slack.

Manage Slack Status and Availability

Manage your availability and share your current status with your team to keep everyone in the loop. To update your status, click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select Update your status. You can choose from predefined statuses or create your own custom status.

Learn Basic Slack Commands

Slack commands are quick ways to perform various tasks directly from the message input box. Some useful Slack commands include:

  • /away: Toggle your availability status between “active” and “away.”
  • /remind: Set a reminder for yourself or your team.
  • /invite: Invite a user to join a channel.

To see a list of available commands, type / in the message input box, and a list will appear.

Integrate Slack with Other Applications

One of the key features of Slack is its ability to integrate with various third-party applications. These integrations can help streamline your workflow and increase productivity. To explore available integrations, go to the Slack App Directory by clicking on Apps in the left sidebar and then clicking on App Directory.

Overview of Slack's user interface on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04.
Exploring Slack’s user interface on Ubuntu Linux.


Additional Slack Commands for Ubuntu

This section will cover how to update and uninstall Slack on Ubuntu Linux, depending on your installation method. We will explain each step thoroughly to ensure you understand the process.

Update Slack

Keeping your Slack application up-to-date is essential for security and access to new features. The updating process varies depending on the installation method you used.

APT Installations: Method to Update Slack

For those who installed Slack using the APT method, you’ll need to re-download the latest Slack .deb file from the official website and reinstall it to update the binary. Follow the installation steps outlined in the APT method section to do this.

Flatpak Installations: Method to Update Slack

If you installed Slack using Flatpak, you can update it using the following command:

flatpak update

Snap Installations: Method to Update Slack

For users who installed Slack using Snap, you can update it with the following command:

sudo snap update

Remove Slack

If you no longer need Slack on your system, follow the steps below to uninstall it according to your installation method.

APT Installations: Method to Remove Slack

For users who installed Slack using the APT method, you can remove it with the following command:

sudo apt remove slack

Flatpak Installations: Method to Remove Slack

To remove Slack installed via Flatpak, use the following command:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data flathub com.slack.Slack

Snap Installations: Method to Remove Slack

For those who installed Slack using Snap, you can uninstall it with this command:

sudo snap remove slack

Closing Thoughts

Throughout this guide, we’ve walked through the essentials of getting Slack up and running on Ubuntu versions 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS, covering installation methods, first-time tips, and customizations to enhance your Slack experience on a Linux platform. From optimizing notifications to leveraging keyboard shortcuts and integrating Slack more deeply into your Ubuntu desktop, we’ve aimed to equip you with the know-how to make Slack a powerful tool for your team’s communication. Remember, the key to a smooth Slack experience on Ubuntu lies in customizing it to fit your workflow and staying updated with the latest features and integrations. So, dive in, tweak it to your liking, and make your team communication seamless and efficient.

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