How to Install Chromium on Fedora Linux

Chromium is an open-source browser project that builds a safer, faster, and more stable way for all users to experience the web on their Fedora desktop. In the following tutorial, you will learn how to install Chromium Web Browser on your Fedora Linux desktop using two Fedora default repository methods or the Flatpak method and how to maintain and remove the browser in the future.

Update Fedora

Before you continue, your system is advised to ensure all existing packages are up to date to avoid system conflicts during the installation and good system maintenance.

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Method 1: Chromium with Fedora Repository

The first option is to use the native Fedora repository. The recommended way to install Chromium Browser for Fedora users is by utilizing the DNF package manager instead of a manual or third-party repository; this keeps things simple.

In your terminal, use the following dnf install command.

sudo dnf install chromium -y

For users that prefer using Flatpak packages, use the following method instead.

Method 2: Chromium with Flatpak and Flathub

The second option for the average desktop user environment is to install Chromium with Flatpak manager, automatically installed on your Fedora workstation. Flatpak also always offers the latest browser version binary, as it’s a popular package.

For users that may have removed Flatpak, re-install it using the following command.

sudo dnf install flatpak -y

For users re-installing Flatpak, I would recommend rebooting your system. Failure to do this can occur in odd issues, such as incorrect icon paths on the odd occasion.

reboot

SKIP THE REBOOT IF FLATPAK IS INSTALLED.

Next, you need to enable Flatpack using the following command in your terminal:

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

Now install Chromium using the following flatpak command.

flatpak install flathub org.chromium.Chromium -y

Troubleshoot Chromium Flatpak Installation

First, the most common error when installing a Flatpak from Flathub is the following error output.

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

The fix is simple, run the following command to enable Flathub.

flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

This will fix the issue the above issue. The next issue can be access to system files. I would only recommend using the following command if you have access permission with your installation accessing files; use the override command below.

sudo flatpak override org.chromium.Chromium --filesystem=host

Please do not use this command by default unless it is needed.

Launch Chromium Browser

Now that you have the Chromium Browser installed, launching can be done in a few ways; the first with your terminal open is to use the following command.

chromium

Alternatively, Flatpak users will need to launch using the command below from a terminal instance:

flatpak run flatpak run org.chromium.Chromium

The Chromium Browser can be found in the applications menu by following the path.

Activities > Show Applications > Chromium Web Browser.

Alternatively, if you cannot find it, use the search function in the Show Applications menu if you have many applications installed.

Example:

The first time you open Chromium, you will be greeted by its default homepage.

Example (Click Image to Enlarge):

Additional Commands & Tips

Update Chromium Browser

Updates should appear in notifications, but if these fail to show or sometimes, it is recommended to check using the terminal regardless; use one of the following commands to check for updates.

DNF Method

sudo dnf update --refresh

Flatpak Method

flatpak update

Remove Chromium Browser

For users who no longer require the paint application, use one of the following commands to suit the original installation method.

DNF Remove Method

sudo dnf autoremove chromium -y

Flatpak Remove Method

flatpak removeflathub org.chromium.Chromium

Next, run the following command for any leftover clean-up.

flatpak remove --unused

Conclusion

In this brief tutorial, you learned how to install the Chromium browser binary on Fedora Linux using a mixture of Flatpak with Flatub or the default DNF repository of Fedora utilizing cli commands.