How to Install Google Chrome on Fedora 39/38/37 Linux

For those aiming to install Google Chrome on Fedora Linux, the journey towards a seamless browsing experience is just around the corner. Google Chrome, a flagship browser from the tech giant Google, has carved its niche in the digital realm. Its blend of swift performance, robust security, and user-centric features has endeared it to a vast global audience. Let’s explore the facets that make Google Chrome a preferred choice for many:

Salient Features of Google Chrome:

• Swift Browsing: Google Chrome is synonymous with speed, ensuring rapid page loads and instantaneous web application responses.
• Fortified Security: With a proactive stance on user safety, Chrome frequently updates its defenses against potential online threats like malware and phishing.
• Google Ecosystem Integration: Chrome’s tight-knit integration with platforms like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar facilitates a cohesive digital experience. Moreover, users can synchronize bookmarks, preferences, and history across devices via their Google accounts.
• Personalization Prowess: Dive into Chrome’s vast repository of extensions and themes to tailor your browsing environment, enhancing functionality or aesthetics.
• Incognito Exploration: Chrome’s incognito mode offers a discreet browsing avenue, ensuring no traces like history or cookies are retained.
• Developer-Friendly Tools: Embedded developer utilities in Chrome make it a favorite among web developers, aiding in efficient web application testing and debugging.
• Universal Availability: Chrome’s presence spans multiple operating systems, from Windows and macOS to Android and iOS, ensuring its reach to a diverse user base.

Given Google Chrome’s emphasis on delivering a top-tier browsing experience, it’s no wonder it’s a top pick for many. The subsequent sections will guide you through the steps to install Google Chrome on Fedora Linux, detailing procedures for integrating this esteemed browser’s latest stable, beta, or nightly versions.

Install Google Chrome on Fedora via DNF

Step 1: Update Fedora Before Google Chrome Installation

To ensure a smooth installation process, updating your system to the latest version is essential before installing Google Chrome on your Fedora desktop. This helps to avoid potential conflicts that could arise during the installation process.

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Step 2: Import Google Chrome RPM on Fedora

For your Google Chrome browser installation, you have three options to choose from. The first and most recommended option is to install the stable browser branch, which is suitable for most users. However, if you’re a more advanced or curious user, you can also choose to install the beta and unstable builds alongside the stable build.

To begin the installation process, you need to import the GPG key by running the following command in your terminal:

sudo rpm --import https://dl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub

After importing the GPG key, you can download the three versions of Google Chrome using separate installation IDs for each version. As previously mentioned, the recommended option is to download the stable version:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm

If you would like to install the beta or unstable versions, you can also download them using the following commands:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-beta_current_x86_64.rpm

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-unstable_current_x86_64.rpm

If you experience issues downloading the RPM from Google, it may be because the wget package is not installed on your system. In this case, you can install the package by running the following command:

sudo dnf install wget

Step 3: Install Google Chrome on Fedora

Now that you have downloaded the Google Chrome RPM files, you can install the stable version of the browser using the DNF package manager. Firstly, ensure you are in the directory where you originally downloaded the .rpm file. You can then execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo dnf install google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm

This command will install the stable version of Google Chrome on your Fedora desktop.

Alternatively, if you have added the repositories, you can also choose to install the beta or unstable browser builds. These versions are not recommended for everyday use, especially on a main desktop or production environment. However, for those who like to try new things and live on the edge, you can install the beta and unstable versions using the following commands in your terminal:

sudo dnf install google-chrome-beta_current_x86_64.rpm

sudo dnf install google-chrome-unstable_current_x86_64.rpm

Install Google Chrome on Fedora via Flatpak and Flathub

Flatpak is a software utility offering a universal package management system, aiming to ensure applications run seamlessly across diverse Linux distributions. Flatpak minimizes potential conflicts with system libraries by encapsulating applications in isolated environments. Flathub complements Flatpak by acting as a centralized repository for Flatpak applications. It’s a hub that offers many applications, streamlining the installation process for users.

Step 1: Activating Flathub Repository for Google Chrome on Fedora

To access the vast array of applications on Flathub, including Google Chrome, it’s imperative to have the Flathub repository enabled on your Fedora system.

To activate the Flathub repository, execute the following command in your terminal:

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

This command integrates the Flathub repository into your Flatpak setup, granting access to various applications.

It’s worth noting that, when using Flatpak and Flathub, there’s no beta version of Google Chrome available. As such, users can only opt between the stable and unstable versions when leveraging this installation approach.

Step 2: Install Google Chrome on Fedora via Flatpak Command

With Flathub now part of your system’s repositories, you can proceed with the Google Chrome installation.

Step 2.1: Installing the Stable Release of Google Chrome

For most users, the stable release of Google Chrome is the preferred choice. It’s been rigorously tested to ensure reliability and offers a consistent browsing experience. To install this version, input the following command:

flatpak install flathub com.google.Chrome -y

Step 2.2: Opting for the Unstable Release of Google Chrome

Google Chrome’s Unstable version might appeal to those with a penchant for cutting-edge features who don’t mind occasional hiccups. This version provides a sneak peek into the latest features, albeit with a trade-off in stability. To install the Unstable version, use the command:

flatpak install flathub com.google.ChromeDev

Launch Google Chrome on Fedora

Once you’ve successfully installed Google Chrome on your Fedora system, it’s time to launch the browser and start exploring its features. Two primary methods to initiate Google Chrome on Fedora are using the Command Line Interface (CLI) and the Graphical User Interface (GUI).

CLI Method of Launching Google Chrome on Fedora

For those who are comfortable with the terminal, launching Google Chrome is a straightforward process. Depending on the version of Google Chrome you’ve installed, you can use different commands.

Initiating the Google Chrome Stable Version on Fedora

To launch the stable version of Google Chrome, input the following command:

google-chrome

If you’ve installed Google Chrome using Flatpak, the command slightly varies:

flatpak run com.google.Chrome

Accessing the Google Chrome Beta Version on Fedora

For users who’ve opted for the beta version, which offers a glimpse into features that are still under testing, use:

google-chrome-beta

Venturing into the Google Chrome Unstable Version on Fedora

Adventurous users who’ve chosen the unstable version, which provides the latest features (though they might be prone to bugs), can launch it with:

google-chrome-unstable

Or, if installed via Flatpak:

flatpak run com.google.ChromeDev

GUI Method of Launching Google Chrome on Fedora

Alternatively, if you prefer to use the graphical user interface (GUI), you can open the application icon by following these steps:

1. Click on “Activities” in the top left corner of your desktop.
2. Select “Show Applications” from the drop-down menu.
3. Look for the Google Chrome application icon and click on it.

Tips to Get Started with Google Chrome on Fedora

When you open Google Chrome for the first time, there are some tips and tricks you should keep in mind to help you get the most out of your browsing experience.

First and foremost, when you open the browser, you may be prompted with a pop-up window. You can uncheck or leave the options as they are and then click the “OK” button to proceed. This will take you to the default landing page, typically a Google search page with a minimalist design.

Here are some additional tips for using Google Chrome:

General Tips for Google Chrome on Fedora

• Use keyboard shortcuts to save time and make your browsing experience more efficient. For example, use “Ctrl + T” to open a new tab or “Ctrl + W” to close a tab.
• Use bookmarks to save your favorite websites, making them easily accessible and reducing the need to search for them whenever you want to visit.
• Use the “history” feature to easily navigate back to websites you have visited in the past.
• Use the “incognito” mode to browse the web without your browsing history is saved.

Customization Tips for Google Chrome on Fedora

• Customize your homepage to display your favorite websites or apps. You can do this by going to “Settings” and selecting “On Startup.”
• Customize your theme to change the look and feel of the browser. You can do this by going to “Settings” and “Appearance.”
• Customize your extensions to add extra features to the browser. You can do this by going to “Settings” and then “Extensions.”

Other Google Chrome General Handy Information on Fedora

• Use the “settings” menu to customize your browsing experience and access additional features and settings.
• Use the “download” feature to download files from the internet directly to your computer.
• Use the “developer tools” to access advanced web development and debugging features.

For further information on how to use Google Chrome, you can visit the Google Chrome Help Center at https://support.google.com/chrome/. The Help Center provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips on how to use the browser and access its many features.

Additional Commands for Google Chrome on Fedora

Update Google Chrome Browser on Fedora

While Google Chrome browser users will be notified of updates, it is a good practice to run a command-line terminal update check to ensure that the updates are being fetched and installed correctly. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

This command will check for updates and install them, ensuring that your browser is up-to-date.

Alternatively, Flatpak installations can use the following command:

flatpak update

The above command will check all Flatpak installations, such as Google Chrome, and prompt you to update your terminal.

Remove Google Chrome From Fedora

DNF Remove Command Method for Google Chrome Browser on Fedora

If you no longer wish to use Google Chrome on your Fedora desktop, you can run one of the following commands, depending on the version you have installed:

sudo dnf remove google-chrome-stable

sudo dnf remove google-chrome-beta

sudo dnf remove google-chrome-unstable

When you no longer need to use the Google Chrome repositories, disabling them to prevent unwanted updates or installations is a good idea. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo dnf config-manager --set-disabled google-chrome*

Note that this command will disable all Google Chrome browser repositories. If you want to disable individual repositories, you can print the repositories you have imported into your terminal using the following command:

dnf repolist | grep chrome

Then disable the specific repository by running the following command:

sudo dnf config-manager --set-disabled <repository-name>

For example, if you want to disable the beta repository, you can run the following command:

sudo dnf config-manager --set-disabled google-chrome-beta

If you want to re-enable the repositories for future installations, you can run the following command:

sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled google-chrome*

Remember to replace “google-chrome*” with the exact repository name if you have disabled specific repositories.

Flatpak Remove Command Method for Google Chrome Browser on Fedora

The uninstallation procedure is slightly distinct if you’ve installed Google Chrome on Fedora using the Flatpak method. For the standard version of Google Chrome, you can use the command:

flatpak uninstall com.google.Chrome

However, if you’ve opted for the developmental or unstable version of Google Chrome, the appropriate command would be:

flatpak uninstall com.google.ChromeDev

By employing these commands, you can adeptly manage Google Chrome on your Fedora system, ensuring you can update or remove the browser as needed.

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we’ve detailed the procedures for installing Google Chrome on your Fedora desktop, utilizing the official RPM repositories and Flatpak with Flathub via the command line terminal. Beyond installation, we’ve shared insights to enhance your browsing journey, covering topics from updating and uninstalling the browser to managing repositories and diving into customization options. This comprehensive overview lets you optimize your Google Chrome experience on Fedora.