On Linux systems, installing applications has become more straightforward with universal package managers like Flatpak and Snap. These tools allow developers to distribute applications across various Linux distributions using a single package format. In this guide, we'll focus on installing Flatpak on Ubuntu 20.04, adding the Flathub repository, and installing applications using Flatpak.

Installing Flatpak on Ubuntu 20.04

Flatpak is supported on numerous Linux distributions, including Ubuntu. The package is available in the Ubuntu 20.04 repositories, making the installation process simple.

Step 1: Open the terminal and run the following command to install Flatpak:

sudo apt install flatpak

This command will install Flatpak and any necessary dependencies on your system.

Step 2: To enable the installation of Flatpak applications through the Gnome Software Center, install the Flatpak plugin for Gnome Software by executing:

sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

With this plugin, you can install Flatpak applications without using the command line, directly from the graphical interface.

Adding the Flathub Repository

Ubuntu doesn't include a Flatpak repository by default. Flathub is the most widely used repository for Flatpak applications, offering a vast selection of software.

Step 3: Add the Flathub repository to your system by running the following command:

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

This command adds Flathub as a source for Flatpak applications.

After adding the repository, you'll need to restart your session to recognize the new repository.

Installing Flatpak Applications

With Flatpak and Flathub set up, you can now search for and install applications.

Step 4: To search for an application, use the flatpak search command followed by a keyword. For example, to search for the music player "Lollypop," run:

flatpak search lollypop

This command will display a list of applications related to your search term, including their names, descriptions, application IDs, versions, branches, and remotes.

Step 5: To install an application, use the flatpak install command followed by the application name or ID. To install "Lollypop," execute:

flatpak install lollypop

Flatpak will find the application in the repositories and prompt you to confirm the installation, including any required runtimes. Type y and press Enter to proceed.

Keep in mind that the first time you install a Flatpak application, it may need to download additional runtimes, which can be large and take some time to download.

Once the installation is complete, you can launch the application from your applications menu or by using Flatpak commands.

With Flatpak and the Flathub repository configured on your Ubuntu 20.04 system, you have access to a wide range of applications beyond those available in the standard repositories. Enjoy exploring new software with ease.