Telegram is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, known for its speed, security, and rich feature set. Unlike other messaging platforms, Telegram stands out with features such as large group chats, file sharing, and a bot API that allows developers to integrate custom services. With its open-source nature and cross-platform support, Telegram is widely used by individuals and businesses alike.
If you are an Ubuntu user looking to install Telegram, you’ve come to the right place. This article will guide you through the entire process of install Telegram on Ubuntu system. We’ll cover a variety of installation methods so you can choose the one that works best for your needs.
Whether you’re a beginner or someone with basic knowledge of Ubuntu, this tutorial will provide you with clear, actionable steps to get Telegram up and running. So, let’s dive in!
Why Install Telegram on Ubuntu?
Telegram is more than just a simple messaging app. It has become a comprehensive communication tool that allows users to send text messages, share multimedia, create channels, and even host video conferences. Telegram is often appreciated for its security features, including end-to-end encryption in secret chats, its cloud-based syncing, and the ability to send large files (up to 2 GB).
For Ubuntu users, installing Telegram provides the following benefits:
- Cross-Platform Support: Telegram works on all platforms, including Ubuntu, macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, ensuring seamless communication across devices.
- Security Features: Telegram offers end-to-end encryption and secure cloud storage, making it a secure choice for communication.
- Open Source: Telegram is open-source, and many of its features are customizable through its bot API and integrations.
- Large File Sharing: Telegram allows sharing of large files (up to 2GB), which is especially useful for developers, creators, and teams.
Given these advantages, installing Telegram on Ubuntu ensures that you have access to a reliable, secure, and feature-rich messaging platform. Let’s now explore how you can install Telegram on Ubuntu.
Prerequisites for Install Telegram on Ubuntu
Before you start the installation process, here are a few things you’ll need to ensure:
- Ubuntu Version: This guide is applicable to Ubuntu 20.04 and later versions.
- Sudo Access: You must have administrative (root) privileges to install software on your system.
- Stable Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is required to download the necessary installation files.
- Terminal Access: You’ll need to use the terminal for certain installation methods.
Once you’ve verified that you meet these prerequisites, you can begin the installation process.
How to Install Telegram on Ubuntu?
There are several ways to install Telegram on Ubuntu, including using APT, Snap, Flatpak, or downloading the official .deb package. Below are the detailed steps for each method:
3.1. Installing Telegram via APT
APT (Advanced Package Tool) is the default package manager for Ubuntu and allows you to install software directly from the official Ubuntu repositories.
Step 1: Update Your Package List
To make sure you have the latest package information, open the terminal and update your package list:
sudo apt update
Step 2: Install Telegram
After the update is complete, install Telegram by running the following command:
sudo apt install telegram-desktop
APT will handle the installation and download the Telegram package from the official Ubuntu repository.
Step 3: Launch Telegram
Once the installation is complete, you can launch Telegram by searching for it in your application menu or running the following command:
telegram-desktop
Telegram will open, and you’ll be prompted to log in or create a new account.
3.2. Installing Telegram via .deb Package
If you want to install the latest version of Telegram or use a specific release, you can download the official .deb package from the Telegram website.
Step 1: Download the .deb Package
Visit the official Telegram website and download the latest .deb package for Ubuntu:
Alternatively, you can use the wget command to download it directly:
wget https://telegram.org/dl/desktop/linux -O telegram.deb
Step 2: Install the .deb Package
After downloading the package, install it using the following command:
sudo dpkg -i telegram.deb
If you encounter any missing dependencies, fix them with the following command:
sudo apt --fix-broken install
Step 3: Launch Telegram
Once installed, you can open Telegram either by typing telegram-desktop in the terminal or by searching for it in the application menu.
3.3. Installing Telegram via Snap
Snap is a package management system developed by Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu). Snap packages are self-contained and work across all Linux distributions.
Step 1: Install Snap (If Not Already Installed)
First, make sure that Snap is installed on your system. If not, install it using:
sudo apt install snapd
Step 2: Install Telegram via Snap
Once Snap is installed, you can install Telegram using the following command:
sudo snap install telegram-desktop
Snap will automatically install the latest version of Telegram for you.
Step 3: Launch Telegram
After installation, you can launch Telegram by searching for it in the application menu or by running the following command:
telegram-desktop
Snap packages are automatically updated, so you’ll always have the latest version of Telegram.
3.4. Installing Telegram via Flatpak
Flatpak is another package management system that allows you to install software on Linux. Telegram is available as a Flatpak package, which makes it a great option for those who prefer this format.
Step 1: Install Flatpak (If Not Already Installed)
First, install Flatpak by running the following command:
sudo apt install flatpak
Next, add the Flathub repository, which hosts Telegram and other popular applications:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Step 2: Install Telegram via Flatpak
Once Flatpak and Flathub are set up, you can install Telegram with this command:
flatpak install flathub org.telegram.desktop
Step 3: Launch Telegram
You can now launch Telegram using the following command:
flatpak run org.telegram.desktop
Alternatively, you can search for Telegram in your applications menu.
Setting Up Telegram on Ubuntu
Once you’ve installed Telegram on your Ubuntu system, the next step is to set it up:
- Open Telegram: After installation, launch Telegram by either searching for it in your application menu or using the terminal command (
telegram-desktop,flatpak run org.telegram.desktop, etc.). - Sign In or Create an Account: Upon opening Telegram for the first time, you’ll be prompted to log in with your phone number. If you don’t have a Telegram account, you can create one by following the on-screen instructions.
- Customize Settings: After logging in, you can customize your settings, such as notifications, privacy settings, and appearance.
- Start Messaging: You’re now ready to start sending messages, creating groups, and sharing files on Telegram!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While installing Telegram on Ubuntu, you may run into some issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
- Telegram Not Launching: If Telegram fails to launch, try running it from the terminal to check for error messages. You can also try reinstalling it or clearing its cache.
- Missing Dependencies: If you encounter dependency issues when installing Telegram via .deb or Snap, run the following commands to fix them:
sudo apt --fix-broken install - Snap Installation Not Working: If Snap is not working, make sure Snapd is installed and running. You can restart the Snap service by running:
sudo systemctl restart snapd
How to Update Telegram on Ubuntu?
Updating Telegram is easy, regardless of how you installed it:
- APT Method: If you installed Telegram using APT, simply run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade - Snap Method: Snap packages automatically update in the background. You can also manually refresh Telegram using:
sudo snap refresh telegram-desktop - **
Flatpak Method**: To update Telegram installed via Flatpak, run:
flatpak update org.telegram.desktop
Uninstalling Telegram on Ubuntu
If you no longer need Telegram, you can uninstall it using the following commands:
- Via APT:
sudo apt remove telegram-desktop - Via Snap:
sudo snap remove telegram-desktop - Via Flatpak:
flatpak uninstall org.telegram.desktop
Conclusion:
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Telegram on Ubuntu system. Whether you used APT, Snap, Flatpak, or the .deb package, you now have access to a fast, secure, and feature-rich messaging platform.
Now that you’re up and running, you can start exploring Telegram’s various features, including channels, groups, bots, and more. With Telegram’s versatility and privacy features, it’s an excellent tool for both personal and professional communication.
Enjoy using Telegram on Ubuntu? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. And if you found this article useful, consider checking out other how to install guides on our blog to further enhance your Ubuntu experience!
Read Also : How to Install Teams on Ubuntu?
