How to Install Zoom on Fedora

Zoom is a video conferencing platform that enables remote communication through high-quality video and audio meetings, screen sharing, and collaboration tools. Whether you need to join work meetings, host webinars, participate in online classes, or stay connected with friends and family, Zoom provides a reliable solution that works across different devices. By the end of this guide, you will have a working Zoom installation on Fedora, ready to join or host meetings immediately.

Fedora offers two main methods to install Zoom: downloading the official RPM package directly from Zoom, or installing via Flatpak from Flathub. The RPM method gives you the vendor’s latest release, while Flatpak provides automatic updates and sandboxed security. This guide covers both approaches and helps you choose the right one for your needs. For other communication tools, you might also explore installing Slack on Fedora or setting up Discord on Fedora.

Choose Your Zoom Installation Method

Before installing, consider which method best fits your workflow. Both methods provide the same Zoom functionality, but they differ in how updates and system integration work.

Method	Channel	Version	Updates	Best For
RPM Package	Zoom Download Center	Latest stable	Manual download required	Users who want direct vendor releases
Flatpak	Flathub	Latest stable	Automatic via flatpak update	Users who prefer sandboxing and easy updates

For most users, the Flatpak method is recommended because it handles updates automatically and runs Zoom in a sandboxed environment. Choose the RPM method only if you prefer direct vendor packages or encounter Flatpak compatibility issues with your specific hardware. If you regularly use remote desktop tools alongside Zoom, consider also installing Remmina on Fedora for remote access needs.

Method 1: Install Zoom via RPM Package

The RPM method downloads Zoom directly from the official website, giving you the vendor’s latest release. However, you will need to download and install updates manually whenever Zoom releases a new version.

Update Fedora Before Installation

First, update your system to ensure all packages are current and to avoid potential conflicts during installation:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Download the Zoom RPM Package

Next, visit the Zoom Download Center and download the Fedora RPM package. Alternatively, you can download it directly from the terminal. Before downloading, ensure wget is available:

sudo dnf install wget -y

Then download the latest Zoom RPM for 64-bit systems:

wget https://zoom.us/client/latest/zoom_x86_64.rpm

The latest URL always points to the current stable release, so you do not need to specify version numbers manually.

Install Zoom with DNF

After downloading, install the RPM package using DNF. This command automatically resolves and installs any required dependencies:

sudo dnf install ./zoom_x86_64.rpm -y

Verify the RPM Installation

Confirm that Zoom installed correctly by checking the package information:

rpm -qi zoom

You should see output similar to the following:

Name        : zoom
Version     : 6.x.x
Release     : 1
Architecture: x86_64
...

Method 2: Install Zoom via Flatpak

Flatpak provides sandboxed application installation with automatic updates. Fedora Workstation includes Flatpak by default, so this method requires no additional package manager setup. Additionally, Flatpak runs applications in an isolated environment that limits their access to your system, which adds a layer of security for proprietary software like Zoom.

The Zoom Flatpak is a community-maintained wrapper and is not officially supported by Zoom Video Communications. However, it receives regular updates through Flathub and works identically to the official RPM package.

Enable Flathub Repository

First, add the Flathub repository if it is not already configured. This command adds Flathub system-wide, making applications available to all users:

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

Install Zoom from Flathub

With Flathub enabled, install Zoom using the following command:

sudo flatpak install flathub us.zoom.Zoom -y

The -y flag automatically confirms the installation prompts. Flatpak downloads the application and any required runtime dependencies.

Verify the Flatpak Installation

Confirm that Zoom installed correctly by listing installed Flatpak applications:

flatpak list --app | grep -i zoom

Expected output:

Zoom    us.zoom.Zoom    stable  system

Troubleshoot Flathub Connection Issues

If you encounter the following error when installing, the Flathub remote may be disabled:

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

To fix this, enable the Flathub remote and retry the installation:

flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

Launch Zoom

Once installation completes, you can launch Zoom from either the terminal or the GNOME Activities menu. The exact command depends on which installation method you used.

Launch Zoom from Terminal

For RPM installations, run the following command:

zoom

For Flatpak installations, use this command instead:

flatpak run us.zoom.Zoom

Launch Zoom from Applications Menu

To launch Zoom from the desktop, open Activities and search for “Zoom.” Click the application icon to start it:

Activities > Show Applications > Zoom

You can right-click the Zoom icon and select “Add to Favorites” to pin it to your dock for quick access. Fedora uses Wayland by default, and Zoom runs through XWayland for screen sharing compatibility.

Manage Zoom

After installing Zoom, you may need to update it periodically or remove it entirely. This section covers both scenarios for each installation method.

Update Zoom

For Flatpak installations, Zoom updates automatically when you run:

sudo flatpak update

For RPM installations, you need to download the latest package from the Zoom Download Center and reinstall it. The installation command automatically upgrades the existing version:

wget https://zoom.us/client/latest/zoom_x86_64.rpm
sudo dnf install ./zoom_x86_64.rpm -y

Remove Zoom

If you no longer need Zoom, use the appropriate removal command for your installation method.

For RPM installations:

sudo dnf remove zoom -y
sudo dnf autoremove -y

The autoremove command removes any dependencies that were installed only for Zoom and are no longer needed. After removal, verify that Zoom is no longer installed:

rpm -q zoom

Expected output confirming successful removal:

package zoom is not installed

For Flatpak installations:

sudo flatpak uninstall us.zoom.Zoom -y
sudo flatpak uninstall --unused -y

The --unused flag removes runtime dependencies that no other Flatpak applications need. Verify removal by checking the installed applications list:

flatpak list --app | grep -i zoom

If removal succeeded, this command produces no output.

Remove Zoom User Data

Warning: The following command permanently deletes your Zoom configuration files, cached data, and meeting recordings stored locally. Back up any important files before proceeding.

To remove Zoom user data after uninstalling:

rm -rf ~/.zoom

For Flatpak installations, application data is stored in a different location:

rm -rf ~/.var/app/us.zoom.Zoom

Conclusion

You now have Zoom installed on Fedora and can join or host video conferences, webinars, and online meetings. The Flatpak method handles updates automatically, while the RPM method provides direct vendor releases. For additional remote collaboration tools, explore installing TeamViewer on Fedora for remote desktop access.