Chromium Browser is the open-source foundation behind many modern web browsers, including Google Chrome. Whether you need a privacy-focused browser without proprietary components, want to test web development across different rendering engines, or prefer an open-source alternative with full extension support, Chromium delivers excellent performance with regular security updates. By the end of this guide, you will have Chromium installed on Ubuntu using your preferred method, ready for everyday browsing or development work.
Choose Your Chromium Installation Method
Ubuntu offers multiple paths for installing Chromium, each with different trade-offs for version freshness, update mechanisms, and system integration. The following table summarizes your options:
| Method | Channel | Version | Updates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APT (Snap) | Ubuntu Repos | Stable | Automatic via Snap | Users who prefer distro defaults |
| xtradeb PPA | Launchpad PPA | Latest stable | Automatic via APT | Users who want native .deb packages |
| Flatpak | Flathub | Latest stable | Manual or automatic | Users who prefer sandboxed applications |
We recommend the APT method for most users because it provides automatic updates through Ubuntu’s package management with minimal configuration. However, if you prefer a native .deb package instead of Snap, the xtradeb PPA offers the latest Chromium builds with faster startup times. The Flatpak option provides additional sandboxing for security-conscious users who want isolation from the host system.
This guide covers Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and 24.04 LTS. The xtradeb PPA actively supports both versions, while Flatpak works across all Ubuntu releases. We tested all commands on both LTS versions, and they work identically.
Update Ubuntu Before Installing Chromium
Before proceeding with the installation, update your system to ensure all existing packages are current. This step helps avoid potential dependency conflicts during installation:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeMethod 1: Install Chromium via APT (Snap Package)
The default Ubuntu repository provides Chromium as a Snap package, which is Canonical’s preferred distribution method for desktop applications. This approach offers automatic background updates and security sandboxing managed by Snapcraft. If you prefer using distro-default packages or want the simplest installation path, this option works well.
To install Chromium using the default repository, run:
sudo apt install chromium-browserThis command installs a transitional package that automatically pulls in the Chromium Snap. After installation completes, verify Chromium is accessible by checking its version:
chromium --versionChromium 13x.x.xxxx.xxx snap
The output confirms that you installed Chromium as a Snap package, indicated by the “snap” suffix in the version string.
Method 2: Install Chromium via xtradeb PPA
The xtradeb/apps Launchpad PPA provides Chromium as a native .deb package, which many users prefer over Snap for better desktop integration, faster startup times, and more predictable behavior with system themes. The maintainers actively update this PPA and typically release the latest stable Chromium builds within days of upstream releases.
Add the xtradeb PPA
First, import the PPA repository to your system. The -y flag automatically confirms the addition:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xtradeb/apps -yConfigure APT Pinning (Recommended)
Before installing, configure APT pinning to ensure only Chromium-related packages come from this PPA. Without this step, other software in the PPA (like Audacity or VLC) could be installed from the PPA instead of official Ubuntu repositories:
cat <<EOF | sudo tee /etc/apt/preferences.d/chromium-pin
Package: *
Pin: release o=LP-PPA-xtradeb-apps
Pin-Priority: 100
Package: chromium*
Pin: release o=LP-PPA-xtradeb-apps
Pin-Priority: 700
EOFThis creates a two-rule pinning configuration. The first rule sets all PPA packages to priority 100 (lower than the default 500), preventing them from being selected. The second rule overrides this for Chromium packages specifically, giving them priority 700 so APT prefers the PPA version.
Verify the PPA Is Active
After adding the PPA, refresh the package cache and verify that APT recognizes the new Chromium source:
sudo apt update
apt-cache policy chromiumchromium:
Installed: (none)
Candidate: 143.0.7499.109-1xtradeb1.2404.1
Version table:
143.0.7499.109-1xtradeb1.2404.1 500
500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/xtradeb/apps/ubuntu noble/main amd64 Packages
The output shows the PPA URL under “Version table,” confirming APT will install Chromium from the xtradeb repository rather than the Snap transitional package.
Install Chromium from the PPA
Now install Chromium using the standard APT command:
sudo apt install chromiumAfter installation completes, verify that Chromium installed correctly from the PPA:
chromium --versionChromium 143.0.7499.109 built on Ubuntu 24.04.x LTS
Notice the version string now shows “built on Ubuntu” instead of “snap,” confirming you’re running the native .deb package from the PPA.
Method 3: Install Chromium via Flatpak
Flatpak provides a sandboxed environment that isolates applications from the rest of your system, offering enhanced security through permission controls. This method works consistently across different Linux distributions and provides the same experience regardless of your Ubuntu version.
Ubuntu does not pre-install Flatpak. If you have not set it up yet, install it with
sudo apt install flatpakand restart your session before continuing. For detailed setup instructions including the Flathub repository and GNOME Software integration, follow our Flatpak installation guide for Ubuntu—this typically takes under five minutes.
Enable the Flathub Repository
First, add the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration. Flathub is the primary source for Flatpak applications, hosting thousands of packages including Chromium:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoThe --if-not-exists flag prevents errors if you’ve already configured Flathub previously.
Install Chromium from Flathub
With Flathub enabled, install Chromium at the system level so all users on the machine can access it:
sudo flatpak install flathub org.chromium.Chromium -yThe first installation may take a few minutes as Flatpak downloads the required GNOME runtime dependencies. After installation completes, verify the Flatpak is properly installed:
flatpak info org.chromium.ChromiumChromium Web Browser - The web browser from Chromium project
ID: org.chromium.Chromium
Ref: app/org.chromium.Chromium/x86_64/stable
Arch: x86_64
Branch: stable
Origin: flathub
Version: 14x.x.xxxx.xxx
The output confirms you installed Chromium from Flathub with the stable branch, meaning you’ll receive tested, production-ready updates.
Launch Chromium Browser
Once installed, you can launch Chromium using either the command line or the graphical application menu. The command varies depending on your installation method.
Launch Chromium from Terminal
For APT or PPA installations, launch Chromium directly from the terminal:
chromiumIf you installed Chromium via Flatpak, use the Flatpak run command instead:
flatpak run org.chromium.ChromiumBoth commands launch the browser and return control to your terminal once the window opens. To run Chromium in the background, append & to the command.
Launch Chromium from Applications Menu
For everyday use, launching Chromium from the desktop environment is more convenient:
- Open the Show Applications menu at the bottom-left corner of your screen (or press the Super key).
- Type “Chromium” in the search bar to locate the application.
- Click the Chromium Web Browser icon to launch the browser.
Manage Chromium Browser
Keeping Chromium updated ensures you have the latest security patches and features. The update process differs based on your installation method.
Update Chromium via APT
If you installed Chromium from the xtradeb PPA, update it along with your other system packages using the standard APT upgrade command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeFor the Snap version (default Ubuntu method), Snapcraft handles updates automatically in the background. However, you can force an immediate update check with:
sudo snap refresh chromiumUpdate Chromium via Flatpak
For Flatpak installations, update all installed Flatpak applications including Chromium and any shared runtimes:
sudo flatpak updateFlatpak downloads only the changed portions of applications (delta updates), making subsequent updates faster than the initial installation.
Remove Chromium Browser
If you no longer need Chromium, follow the removal instructions that match your installation method. Each section includes complete cleanup steps.
Remove Chromium Snap Package
If you installed Chromium from the default Ubuntu repository (which uses Snap), remove it with the Snap command:
sudo snap remove chromiumSnap automatically removes the application data stored in ~/snap/chromium when you remove the package.
Remove Chromium from xtradeb PPA
If you installed Chromium from the xtradeb PPA, first remove the package and any orphaned dependencies:
sudo apt remove chromium
sudo apt autoremoveNext, remove the PPA repository and pinning configuration to keep your system clean:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:xtradeb/apps -y
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/preferences.d/chromium-pin
sudo apt updateThe final apt update refreshes your package cache to remove references to the now-deleted PPA.
Remove Chromium Flatpak
For Flatpak installations, remove Chromium and then clean up any unused runtimes:
sudo flatpak uninstall org.chromium.Chromium
sudo flatpak uninstall --unusedThe second command removes any shared runtimes that are no longer needed by other applications, freeing additional disk space.
Remove Chromium User Data (Optional)
Warning: The following commands permanently delete your Chromium profile, including bookmarks, browsing history, saved passwords, and installed extensions. Export any data you want to keep before proceeding—Chromium’s sync feature or a manual bookmark export can preserve important data.
For APT and PPA installations, remove the user configuration and cache directories:
rm -rf ~/.config/chromium
rm -rf ~/.cache/chromiumFor Flatpak installations, Flatpak stores user data in a sandboxed location separate from native installations:
rm -rf ~/.var/app/org.chromium.ChromiumAdditional Resources
If you’re exploring browser options on Ubuntu, you may also find these guides helpful:
- Install Ungoogled Chromium on Ubuntu — A privacy-hardened Chromium build with all Google services and tracking removed for maximum privacy.
- Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu — The proprietary browser built on Chromium with additional Google integration, sync features, and Widevine DRM support for streaming services.
Conclusion
You now have Chromium Browser installed on Ubuntu using your preferred method. The default APT installation provides the simplest path with automatic Snap updates, while the xtradeb PPA delivers native .deb packages with faster startup times and better theme integration. The Flatpak option offers enhanced security sandboxing and consistent behavior across Linux distributions. Regardless of which method you chose, running chromium --version periodically confirms your installation is active, and the update commands covered earlier keep your browser secure against the latest web threats.
