We show you how to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and other Linux distributions in this simple guide.
Chances are you have tried to install Google Chrome by searching for it in the Ubuntu Software store only to learn that the world famous web browser isn’t available there.
But don’t panic.
Although the Chrome browser is not available in the Ubuntu repository it is easy to download Google Chrome from Google and install it on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and up manually. It’s this method that I walk you through in this how to.
Not just Ubuntu, mind. You can install Chrome on Linux Mint, elementary OS, Zorin OS, and any other Ubuntu-based Linux distro by following the exact same steps we list below.
Installing Chrome in Ubuntu
The first thing to do to install Chrome in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and above (or Linux Mint, etc) is to open up Mozilla Firefox (or any other web browser you like) and head to the official Google Chrome download page.
Here you can download the Chrome installer, but you will first be asked to “accept” the Google Chrome Terms of Service.
If you’re happy with what this says (give everything a read over first) click the “Accept & Install” button to start the download:
If that link does not work you can download the Chrome Linux installer directly via this link:
If a pop-up dialog appears asking you “What should Firefox do with this file?” just check the “save file” option followed by “OK”.
Your Google Chrome download will start, and the full installer will be saved in your computer’s “Downloads” folder.
When the download is complete open the ~/Downloads folder (unless you chose a different location in the previous step) in the file manager.
You’re now ready to start installing Chrome in Ubuntu!
Double-click on the installer package icon in the file manager (as shown below):
The Software app will open.
Click the ‘install’ button the appears:
Enter your password when/if prompted:
The progress bar will move along for a few seconds until complete.
Once Chrome is fully installed, you can start using it. Just search for ‘Chrome’ in the application menu or preferred Linux app launcher:
Set up Chrome for the best experience
The first time you run Google Chrome for Linux on any distro you will see a prompt that asks if you want to ‘make Google Chrome the default browser’.
You also have the choice to ‘automatically send usage statistics and crash reports to Google’. Again, its up to you whether you want to enable this or not.
Check/uncheck these boxes depending on your preferences then click “OK” to proceed.
Google Chrome will open and you’ll see a (mostly empty) browser window.
Sign-in using a Google Account to sync your bookmarks, passwords and extensions (if you have any) to this version.
Stay Updated
When you install Google Chrome on Ubuntu or a similar Linux distributions the official Google repository is added to your system. This means you can install future Google Chrome updates automatically, as they’re released, using the Software Update tool.
Want Chrome 32-bit? It Doesn’t Exist
Google axed Chrome for 32 bit Ubuntu in 2016. This means you can not install Google Chrome on 32 bit Ubuntu systems as Google Chrome for Linux is only available for 64 bit systems.
If you encounter a compatibility error after following this tutorial it’s likely that you’re using a 32-bit system.
You’re not out of luck; you can install Chromium on Ubuntu. This is an open-source version of Chrome and is available from the Ubuntu Software (or equivalent) app.
Just search for ‘Chromium’ (minus the quote marks) or hit this button:
H/T Toby