Installing Google Chrome on Ubuntu: Step-by-Step Guide

Ubuntu users often find themselves starting with Firefox as their default web browser. However, many prefer the familiar interface of Google Chrome, which is fully compatible with this popular Linux distribution. Whether you’re using an Ubuntu laptop or desktop, installing Chrome is a straightforward process that can be done in several ways.

Installing Google Chrome on Ubuntu

Before diving into the installation methods, it’s important to note that Google Chrome requires Ubuntu version 18.04 or later and a 64-bit processor, as the 32-bit version of Chrome is no longer supported.

Method 1: Installing via the GUI

The simplest way to install Chrome is through the graphical user interface. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Open the Firefox browser and navigate to the official Google Chrome download page.
2. Select the option for 64 bit .deb, which is designed for Debian-based systems like Ubuntu.
3. Click Accept and Install to download the installer.
4. Once the download is complete, open your Files application and go to the Downloads folder.
5. Double-click on google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb to initiate the installation process. If you encounter any issues, right-click the file and select Open with Software Center.
6. Click Install and enter your Ubuntu user password when prompted.

After the installation is complete, you can launch Chrome from your applications menu and sign in to sync your bookmarks and settings across devices.

Method 2: Installing via Terminal

If you prefer using the command line, you can install Chrome via the Terminal. Here’s how:

1. Open the Terminal application.
2. Run the following command to download the Chrome .deb file:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

3. Next, install the downloaded package by running:

sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

4. If you encounter any dependency issues, resolve them by executing:

sudo apt -f install

Once the installation is finished, you should find Google Chrome in your applications menu, ready for use.

Method 3: Installing via Snap

Alternatively, you can install Google Chrome using Snap, which simplifies installation and management:

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Type the following command to install Chrome:

sudo snap install chromium

This method installs Chromium, the open-source version of Chrome, which offers similar functionality.

Uninstalling Google Chrome

If you ever need to uninstall Google Chrome, you can do so easily through either the GUI or Terminal.

Uninstalling via the GUI

1. Open the Ubuntu Software Center.
2. Click on the Installed tab.
3. Find and select Google Chrome.
4. Click Uninstall to remove it from your system.

Uninstalling via Terminal

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Type the following command to uninstall Google Chrome:

sudo snap remove chromium

Exploring More Linux Applications

Having installed Google Chrome, you might want to explore other great applications available for Linux. Consider trying out LibreOffice for document editing, GIMP for photo editing, or a variety of video editors to enhance your Linux experience. Google Chrome is just the beginning of what you can achieve on this versatile operating system.