Google Chrome is the leading browsing utility for Linux and Windows users. It might feel like a resource-consuming tool for you, however, the usability and user-friendliness overcomes that resource consumption.
Google Chrome is not available in Ubuntu by default or any of its repositories. However, Google Chrome has provided its support through its own repository.
Today’s post will list the possible installation methods of Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04.
Outline:
- How to Install Google Chrome Browser on Ubuntu 24.04
- How to Update Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04
- How to Completely Uninstall Chrome From Ubuntu 24.04
- Bottom Line
How to Install Google Chrome Browser on Ubuntu 24.04
Google Chrome is available through Chrome’s repository and separately installing it using the Debian Package File. Although, both methods use the Debian Package File to install Chrome. Here is the way to get into it:
Method 1: Google Chrome’s Repository
Google Chrome repository contains the latest available Chrome for Ubuntu and its derivatives. It is provided by Google, not Ubuntu itself so it needs to be added to the Ubuntu apt sources. Follow the below steps to install Google Chrome using Google Chrome’s repository:
Step 1: Add the GPG Key
The repository must be authenticated before adding and the GPG key provides that authentication. To add the GPG Key of Google Chrome’s repository, use the following command:
wget -q -O - https://dl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo gpg --dearmour -o /usr/share/keyrings/chrome-keyring.gpg
Step 2: Add the Google Chrome’s Repository
Once the key is added, you can add the repository to apt sources using the command:
sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/chrome-keyring.gpg] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google.list'
Step 3: Install Chrome
After adding the repository, the system will not recognize Google Chrome until you update the package index. Here is the command to update the packages list:
sudo apt update
Now, install the Google Chrome:
sudo apt install google-chrome-stable
Step 4: Verify/Launch
Launch it from the applications menu, as:
Or you can do it using the command:
google-chrome-stable
When you launch for the first time, it asks to make it default, keep the checkbox marked if you want to make it your default browser:
Method 2: Debian Package File
Debian Package or Archive File is a Debian/Ubuntu-based file used to install program(s) on the relevant distribution. A Debian file carries all the essentials to run a program, i.e., executable, dependencies, or any libraries. A wide range of packages on Ubuntu are available through the Debian package file, i.e., Google Chrome.
Follow the below steps to install Google Chrome from the Debian Package file:
Step 1: Download the Debian Package File of Chrome
Navigate to the official site of Google Chrome, and get the latest Debian Package File of Google Chrome. Use the wget command with the downloadable link or you can navigate to your current browser to get it from the Downloads Page directly:
Step 2: Install Chrome
Move your terminal to the downloaded folder and install Chrome. Or you can use the absolute path of the downloaded file to install it:
sudo apt install <path/of/deb/file>
That’s how you can install Chrome by directly downloading the deb file.
How to Update Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04
If you have already installed the Google Chrome and want to update it, you need to launch the Chrome and go to its settings:
Inside Settings, navigate to the “About Chrome” section from the left pane and check whether any update is available or not. In our case, the Chrome is already updated:
How to Completely Uninstall Chrome From Ubuntu 24.04
Since the repository-based and the debian package file installation follows the same installation pattern and both are installed via the apt package manager. So the removal process is the same. However, the Step 2 and Step 3 of this uninstallation only refer to repository-based installation:
Step 1: Remove the Chrome’s Executable and the Dependencies/Configurations
First, remove the executable and the relevant dependencies/configurations, using the command:
sudo apt autoremove google-chrome-stable --purge
Note: If you have installed Chrome via the repository, you need to remove the GPG key and the repository key.
Step 2: Remove the GPG Key and Repository
To remove the GPG key of the Chrome’s repository:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google.list
To remove the Chrome’s GPG key:
sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/chrome-keyring.gpg
That’s all from this Google Chrome’s guide.
Bottom Line
Google Chrome can be installed from either the Debian Package File or by adding the Chrome repository. Both methods use the debian file at the backend for installation. Either add the GPG key, and the repository and then install Chrome, or you can download the Debian Package File from the download page of Chrome and install it. All these possibilities are demonstrated on Ubuntu 24.04.
Check our LinkedIn company page