How to Install Yandex Browser on Linux Mint 21/20

Yandex Browser is a fast, secure, customizable web browser developed by the Russian search engine giant Yandex. Launched in 2012, it has grown in popularity due to its sleek design, built-in ad-blocking, and numerous features that cater to user preferences. Yandex Browser is based on the open-source Chromium project, making it compatible with Google Chrome extensions and offering a familiar browsing experience.

Some key features of the Yandex Browser include:

SmartBox: This unified search and address bar provides instant search results, even as you type, and offers query suggestions based on browsing history.
Turbo Mode: Turbo Mode accelerates page loading times by compressing images, videos, and other content.
DNS Spoofing Protection: Yandex Browser includes a built-in security feature that detects and prevents DNS spoofing attacks.
Ad-blocking: The browser has a native ad-blocking feature that removes intrusive ads for a cleaner browsing experience.
Customizable Interface: Users can personalize the browser’s appearance with themes, background images, and other visual enhancements.
Incognito Mode: Yandex Browser offers private browsing, ensuring that your browsing history, cookies, and site data are not saved.

In the following guide, we will demonstrate how to install Yandex Browser on Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20 using the official Yandex APT repository that contains the latest stable or beta version.

Section 1: Install Yandex Browser

Step 1: Update Linux Mint

Before installing Yandex Browser, update your Linux Mint system to ensure all existing packages are up to date. This will help avoid potential conflicts during the installation process. To update your system, run the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install the Required Packages

To install Yandex Browser successfully, some dependencies need to be installed. Most of these packages should already be on your system, but running the command below ensures they are installed:

sudo apt install dirmngr ca-certificates software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl -y

If you encounter issues during installation, return to this step and rerun the command.

Step 3: Import Yandex Browser Repository

First, import the GPG key to verify the authenticity of the packages. Execute the following command in your terminal to import the key to your keychain:

curl -fsSL https://repo.yandex.ru/yandex-browser/YANDEX-BROWSER-KEY.GPG | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/yandex.gpg > /dev/null

Next, import the Yandex Browser repository:

Import Repository – Yandex Browser Stable

echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/yandex.gpg] http://repo.yandex.ru/yandex-browser/deb stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-stable.list

Import Repository – Yandex Browser Beta

echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/yandex.gpg] http://repo.yandex.ru/yandex-browser/deb beta main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-beta.list

Now run an APT update to reflect the newly imported repository:

sudo apt update

Step 4: Install Yandex Browser

After importing the repository, you can install either the Yandex Browser stable or beta/development version. The stable version is recommended, but you can install both if desired.

Install Yandex Browser Stable

sudo apt install yandex-browser-stable -y

Install Yandex Browser Beta

sudo apt install yandex-browser-beta -y

Step 5: Remove Auto-Generated Source.list

Installing any Yandex Browser version will create an additional sources.list file with incorrect formatting, causing errors when running the apt update command. To resolve this issue, remove the additional sources.list files with the following command:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-browser*.list

This command works for both the stable and beta versions and should leave you with the sources you imported during this tutorial: yandex-beta.list and yandex-stable.list.

Example before fixing Yandex sources:

ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex*

joshua@linux-mint:~$ ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex*
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-beta.list
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-browser-beta.list
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-browser.list
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-stable.list

Example after fixing Yandex sources:

ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex*

Example after output:

joshua@linux-mint:~$ ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex*
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-beta.list
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-stable.list

Section 2: Launch Yandex Browser

With the successful installation of the Yandex Browser on your Linux Mint system, you have two options for launching the browser: through the terminal or via the graphical user interface (GUI).

Step 1: Launch Yandex Browser via Terminal

To immediately launch Yandex Browser from the terminal, use the following commands based on the installed version:

For Yandex Browser Stable:

yandex

For Yandex Browser Beta:

yandex-beta

These commands will open the respective version of the Yandex Browser.

Step 2: Launch Yandex Browser via GUI

Alternatively, you can launch Yandex Browser using the graphical interface by following the path below:

Menu Path:

Taskbar > Internet > Yandex Browser {version}

Click on the “Menu” button (usually located in the bottom left corner of your screen) and navigate to the “Internet” category. Within this category, you’ll find the Yandex Browser icon labeled with the installed version (stable or beta). Click on the icon to launch Yandex Browser.

Example of Yandex application icons on Linux Mint desktop:

launch yandex browser on linux mint from taskbar menu

Section 3: Getting Started with Yandex Browser

Now that you’ve installed and launched Yandex Browser on Linux Mint, it’s time to get familiar with its features, customization options, and general tips to enhance your browsing experience.

Step 1: Customize the Appearance

Yandex Browser allows you to personalize its appearance to suit your preferences. Here are some ways to customize the browser:

Change the Theme

Open Yandex Browser.
Click on the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the upper right corner of the Yandex Browser window.
Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
Scroll down to the “Appearance” section.
Click on the “Themes” option to browse and select a new theme.

Customize the Start Page

Open a new tab in Yandex Browser.
Click on the gear icon in the lower right corner of the start page.
Use the options provided to customize the start page background, widgets, and layout.

Step 2: Configure Privacy and Security Settings

Yandex Browser offers various options to enhance your privacy and security while browsing. Take advantage of these features to protect your data and online activities:

Enable DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH): This feature encrypts your DNS queries, adding an extra layer of privacy. To enable DoH, go to “Settings” > “Privacy and security” > “Advanced” > “Use DNS-over-HTTPS.”
Enable Site Isolation: This feature increases security by running each site in a separate process, protecting your system from potential cross-site scripting attacks. Enable it by going to “Settings” > “Privacy and security” > “Advanced” > “Enable Site Isolation.”

Step 3: Utilize Built-in Tools

Yandex Browser comes with several built-in tools to enhance your browsing experience:

SmartBox: This feature offers instant search suggestions as you type in the address bar, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Turbo Mode: This mode speeds up browsing by compressing web pages and reducing data usage. Enable Turbo Mode by clicking on the “Turbo” icon in the address bar.
Yandex Zen: This personalized content recommendation system learns your interests and suggests articles, news, and videos based on browsing history.

Step 4: Install Extensions

Yandex Browser supports a wide range of extensions to customize further and enhance your browsing experience. To add extensions, follow these steps:

Open Yandex Browser.
Click on the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the upper right corner of the Yandex Browser window.
Select “Extensions” from the drop-down menu.
Click on “Open Chrome Web Store” to access the store.
Browse or search for the desired extension, and click on “Add to Yandex Browser” to install it.

With these tips, you can now enjoy a personalized, secure, and efficient browsing experience using Yandex Browser on your Linux Mint system.

Example of Yandex Browser once configured on Linux Mint:

example of yandex browser on linux mint desktop

Section 4: Additional Commands & Tips

This section will cover essential commands and tips for managing Yandex Browser on your Linux Mint system, including updating, removing, and cleaning up repositories and GPG keys.

Step 1: Update Yandex Browser

To keep Yandex Browser up-to-date, run the following command in your terminal. This will check your entire system for updates, including the Yandex repository.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Remove Yandex Browser

If you wish to remove Yandex Browser from your system, execute the appropriate terminal command based on the installed version.

Remove Yandex Browser Stable:

sudo apt remove yandex-browser-stable

Remove Yandex Browser Beta:

sudo apt remove yandex-browser-beta

Step 3: Clean up Yandex Repositories and GPG Key

After removing Yandex Browser, you might want to remove its repositories and GPG key for a complete cleanup.

Remove Yandex Browser Stable Repository:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-stable.list

Remove Yandex Browser Beta Repository:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yandex-beta.list

Remove Yandex GPG Key:

sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/yandex.gpg

Conclusion: Installing Yandex Browser on Linux Mint

In conclusion, installing Yandex Browser on Linux Mint is a straightforward process that involves updating your system, installing required packages, importing the Yandex Browser repository, and finally installing the browser itself. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly get Yandex Browser up and running on your Linux Mint system, enabling you to experience its unique features and benefits.

Additional Resources and Links

To further enhance your understanding and knowledge about Yandex Browser and Linux Mint, you can explore the following official resources:

Yandex Browser Official Website: https://browser.yandex.com
Learn more about Yandex Browser, its features, and download options directly from the official website.
Yandex Browser Help Center: https://yandex.com/support/browser
Access the official Yandex Browser help center for comprehensive documentation, troubleshooting guides, and FAQs.
Linux Mint Official Website: https://linuxmint.com
Visit the official Linux Mint website for this popular distribution’s latest news, updates, and download links.
Linux Mint Documentation: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io
Explore the official Linux Mint documentation for installation, user guides, tips, and troubleshooting information.
Linux Mint Community: https://community.linuxmint.com
Join the official Linux Mint community to get support, share ideas, and contribute to developing this widely used Linux distribution.