Introduction: A step-by-step guide showing two ways to install the Element messaging client on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 using the command terminal.
Element is an open-source application that uses Matrix protocol for offering an end-to-end encrypted messaging and collaboration platform. It can be used for private or public group communication including options to share files and perform video/voice calls. In the article, we discuss the two ways that we can use to install the Element desktop client application on the Ubuntu system to directly use the Element platform to enjoy secure messaging and collaboration on your Linux system. Apart from the Desktop application web based app of Element messaging is also available.
#Ist Way using Snap Store
1. Open Ubuntu Software
One of the easiest ways to install Software on the Ubuntu Desktop system is using the graphical software store. Using this we can install the applications with one click. So, either go to Applications and search for Software or just click on its shortcut icon given on Ubuntu’s Dash.
2. Search for Element and install
Once the Ubuntu Software is opened follow the given steps:
- Click on the Search icon.
- Type – Element Desktop
- Scroll down to select it in the search results.
- After that click the Install button given for the Element Desktop.
- Enter your current user password and the Element software will be installed on your Ubuntu Linux.
#2nd Way using Apt package manager
3. Add Element Repository
Element Desktop app is not available to install using the default system repository of Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 Linux, therefore, we manually need to add its Repo on our Linux system. Follow the given commands for that.
Update your system and also install a few other packages.
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y wget apt-transport-https -yNow, add the Element’s GPG key that will help the system to authenticate its packages to confirm they are from the original source without any alteration.
sudo wget -O /usr/share/keyrings/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg https://packages.element.io/debian/element-io-archive-keyring.gpgAdd the Element Desktop app Debian repository
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg] https://packages.element.io/debian/ default main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/element-io.listRun the system update command.
sudo apt update4. Install Element on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
Once you have added the repository successfully, installing Element will be like any other common software using the APT package manager. Here is the command to follow:
sudo apt install element-desktop
5. Run this Messaging software
After completing the installation go to Applications, for that, you can click on Activities and search for Element. As its icon appears click to run the same.
6. How to update
In the future to update the Element, use any of the given methods according to the way you have used to install it on Ubuntu.
For GUI users:
Open Ubuntu software, click on the Updates Tab and if there is some new update for Element the same will be shown there to update.
Whereas, the APT package manager user can simply run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade7. Uninstallation
This is also important to know how to completely remove Element from your Ubuntu Linux if something goes wrong or the application is not working or useful anymore.
The GUI user again needs to open the Ubuntu Software and this time click on the Installed Tab. After that scroll to find Element. To remove it just hit the bin icon.
APT users can follow the given command:
sudo apt autoremove --purge element-desktopTo remove the Repository:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/element-io.listOther Articles:
