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How to Install Transmission on Ubuntu 22.04 | 20.04
Last Updated on by Joshua James
BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing protocol that allows users to download and share large files efficiently. Among the many BitTorrent clients available today, Transmission stands out as a popular, lightweight, and user-friendly choice. It has been widely praised for its simplicity, ease of use, and minimal resource consumption. It is an open-source project, which means it is free to use and has been developed and maintained by a community of dedicated contributors.
Transmission offers a variety of features that cater to both novice and experienced users, such as:
Cross-platform compatibility: Transmission is available on various platforms including macOS, Linux, and Windows, ensuring that users can enjoy its benefits regardless of their preferred operating system.
Web-based interface: The client offers a web-based interface, allowing users to manage their downloads and uploads remotely through any device with internet access.
Selective downloading: Users can choose to download specific files within a torrent, rather than downloading the entire torrent package.
Encryption support: Transmission provides an encrypted connection between peers, enhancing privacy and security during file transfers.
Speed limit controls: Users can adjust the upload and download speed limits to manage their bandwidth usage effectively.
Magnet link support: Transmission supports magnet links, which enable users to initiate downloads without the need for a separate torrent file.
In this guide, we will demonstrate how to install Transmission on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa using one of three methods: APT with Ubuntu’s repository or a third-party PPA, Flatpak with Flathub, or Snapcraft using the command line terminal.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Install Transmission with APT
Step 1: Update Ubuntu
Before installing Transmission, it’s essential to ensure that your Ubuntu system is up-to-date. This helps avoid potential issues during the installation process and keeps your system secure and stable. To update your system, open the terminal and enter the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
This command first updates the package list on your system (sudo apt update) and then upgrades the installed packages to their latest versions (sudo apt upgrade).
Step 2: Select Installation Method with APT
There are two methods to install Transmission with APT: using Ubuntu’s default repository or using a third-party PPA. Both methods are explained below.
Method 1: Install Transmission with Ubuntu’s Repository
Transmission is available in Ubuntu’s default repository, which contains stable and tested software packages. If you prefer using the official Ubuntu repositories for your software installations, use the following command to install Transmission on your system:
sudo apt install transmission
This command installs the Transmission package from the default Ubuntu repository.
Method 2: Install Transmission with Launchpad PPA
Alternatively, you can install the latest Transmission version using a well-maintained PPA (Personal Package Archive) provided by a Launchpad user named Jim. This PPA offers several major packages with better LTS support for Ubuntu users, ensuring you always have the most up-to-date software.
First, import the Transmission PPA by entering the following command:
This command adds the Transmission PPA to your system’s package sources list and automatically confirms the action with the -y flag.
Next, update the packages list to include the newly added PPA:
sudo apt update
Now, you can proceed to install or upgrade Transmission. The following command works for both fresh installations and upgrades if you have previously installed Transmission from Ubuntu’s repository:
sudo apt install transmission
Section 2: Install Transmission with Flatpak and Flathub
In this section, we’ll explore an alternative method for installing Transmission using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak is a universal package management system, similar to Snap, that allows you to install and manage applications from different sources in a consistent manner. One of the benefits of installing Transmission using Flatpak is that it provides the latest version of the application with all its dependencies, ensuring a smooth and streamlined experience.
Step 1: Enable Flathub
Before installing Transmission through Flatpak, you must enable the Flathub repository, which is a primary source for Flatpak applications. To enable Flathub, execute the following command in your terminal:
This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, ensuring you have access to a wide variety of applications, including Transmission.
Step 2: Install Transmission
With Flathub enabled, you can now proceed to install Transmission using the flatpak install command. Run the following command in your terminal:
This command installs Transmission from the Flathub repository, providing you with the latest version of the application.
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.
Section 3: Install Transmission with Snapcraft
Snapcraft is another alternative method for installing applications on Linux systems. It uses snap packages, which are self-contained and include all necessary dependencies, ensuring that the application runs consistently across different distributions. In this section, we’ll guide you through installing Transmission using Snapcraft.
Step 1: Install Snap Core
Before installing Transmission with Snapcraft, you need to have the Snap core package installed on your system. The Snap core package provides the necessary runtime environment for snap applications. If your system doesn’t already have Snap installed, follow the instructions below:
For Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) and later, Snap is already included by default. However, if you have removed it previously you can re-install it by running the following command:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd
These commands first update your package list and then install the snapd package, which contains the Snap core.
Step 2: Install Transmission Client
This command installs the transmission-community package from the Snap store, providing you with the latest version of the Transmission client.
sudo snap install transmission-community
Section 4: Launching Transmission
Once you’ve installed Transmission using one of the methods outlined in the previous sections, you’re ready to launch the application and start using it for your file-sharing needs. In this section, we’ll go over different ways to launch Transmission, depending on the installation method you chose.
Step 1: Launch Transmission Installed via APT
If you installed Transmission using the APT method (Ubuntu’s repository or a third-party PPA), you can launch the application by searching for “Transmission” in your system’s application menu and clicking on the corresponding icon. Alternatively, you can run the following command in your terminal:
transmission-gtk
This command launches the Transmission GTK+ graphical user interface (GUI).
Step 2: Launch Transmission Installed via Flatpak
For those who installed Transmission using Flatpak, you can launch it by searching for “Transmission” in your system’s application menu and clicking on the corresponding icon. If you prefer using the terminal, enter the following command:
flatpak run com.transmissionbt.Transmission
This command runs the Transmission Flatpak application.
Step 3: Launch Transmission Installed via Snap
If you installed Transmission using the Snapcraft method, you can also find and launch it through your system’s application menu by searching for “Transmission.” To launch it via the terminal, use the following command:
snap run transmission-community
Step 4: Launch Transmission via GUI (Graphical User Interface)
Regardless of the installation method you chose, you can always launch Transmission through your system’s graphical user interface (GUI) by following these simple steps:
Access your application menu: Open the application menu on your desktop environment, typically located in the top-left or bottom-left corner of your screen.
Search for Transmission: Type “Transmission” in the search bar of your application menu.
Launch the application: Click on the Transmission icon that appears in the search results to start the application.
Example of Transmission application icon on Ubuntu Linux:
Section 5: Getting Started with Transmission on Ubuntu Linux
In this section, we will provide some useful tips and tricks to enhance your experience with Transmission on Ubuntu Linux. We will focus on tips that are applicable to Ubuntu Linux and not those specific to other operating systems like macOS.
Tip 1: Customize the User Interface
Transmission offers a variety of customization options to help you tailor the user interface to your preferences:
Change the theme: To switch between light and dark themes, go to Edit > Preferences > Appearance.
Adjust the toolbar: To show or hide the toolbar, go to View > Toolbar.
Customize the columns: Right-click on the column headers in the main window to add, remove, or reorder columns.
Tip 2: Control Bandwidth Usage
Transmission allows you to control your bandwidth usage to optimize your downloading and uploading speed:
Set global limits: To set global bandwidth limits, go to Edit > Preferences > Speed.
Limit bandwidth for individual torrents: Right-click on a torrent in the main window and select Properties > Options to set custom upload and download limits.
Tip 3: Manage Torrent Queues
Managing your torrent queues effectively can help you prioritize important downloads:
Adjust queue settings: To configure your torrent queue settings, go to Edit > Preferences > Queue.
Manually move torrents in the queue: Right-click on a torrent in the main window, then choose Move Up Queue or Move Down Queue.
Tip 4: Use the Blocklist Feature
Transmission includes a blocklist feature that helps you block known malicious IP addresses:
Enable blocklist: Go to Edit > Preferences > Privacy, then enable the “Use blocklist” option.
Update the blocklist: Click the “Update” button in the blocklist settings to download the most recent blocklist.
Tip 5: Configure Notifications
Stay informed about the progress of your downloads with Transmission’s notification feature:
Enable notifications: Go to Edit > Preferences > Desktop, then check “Show a notification when a torrent finishes”.
Customize notification settings: Adjust the notification settings according to your preferences, such as showing notifications for added torrents or when a torrent is removed.
Example of Transmission UI when first time launched on Ubuntu Linux:
Section 6: Additional Transmission Commands with Ubuntu Linux
Updating Transmission on Ubuntu Linux
Transmission updates should be handled along with your standard system updates when prompted. However, if you would like to check for updates more regularly, use the following commands in your terminal, depending on your original installation method:
APT Update Method
sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade
Flatpak Update Method
flatpak update
Snap Update Method
sudo snap update
Removing Transmission on Ubuntu Linux
If you no longer require Transmission, use one of the following commands based on your original installation method to remove the application:
APT Remove Method
sudo apt remove transmission
Additionally, if you installed Transmission using a PPA, remove the PPA with the following command:
Closing Thoughts on Installing Transmission on Ubuntu Linux
In conclusion, installing Transmission on Ubuntu Linux is a straightforward process with multiple installation methods to choose from, such as APT, Flatpak, and Snap. This guide covered each method, as well as how to launch Transmission, tips for getting started, and additional commands for updating or removing the application. By following these instructions, you can successfully install and use Transmission on your Ubuntu Linux system.
Additional Resources and Links
To further enhance your Transmission experience and knowledge, consider exploring the following resources:
Official Transmission Website: The main source of information on the Transmission project, including downloads, news, and updates.
Transmission GitHub Repository: A comprehensive source for accessing Transmission’s source code, reporting issues, and contributing to the project.
Transmission Wiki: A valuable resource for learning more about Transmission’s features, settings, and troubleshooting.
