Learn How to Install and Use Flatpak on Linux

What Is Flatpak and Why Use It on Linux

Flatpak is a tool that helps you set up and run applications on Linux systems in a standardized way. Rather than installing software directly onto your operating system, Flatpak bundles applications with their own set of dependencies and libraries. This means an application can run on different Linux distributions without requiring you to adjust settings or resolve conflicts with other programs already on your computer.

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Think of Flatpak like a self-contained package. Traditional Linux software installation often requires the system to have specific versions of libraries and tools already present. If your system has a different version, the application might not work properly. Flatpak solves this problem by including everything the application needs inside its own environment, separate from the rest of your system.

The Flatpak project started in 2015 and has grown significantly. As of 2024, Flathub—the official repository for Flatpak applications—hosts over 2,500 applications. Major Linux distributions including Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, and Linux Mint include Flatpak support by default or make it readily available.

Using Flatpak offers several practical benefits. First, it improves compatibility across different Linux versions. A Flatpak application built for one distribution can typically run on another without modification. Second, it provides better security through containerization—applications run in isolated environments with limited access to your system files. Third, managing applications becomes simpler since you do not need to worry about dependency conflicts between different programs.

Practical takeaway: Flatpak is most useful if you use multiple Linux distributions, want straightforward application management, or prefer applications that run in isolated environments for security reasons.

Checking System Requirements and Prerequisites

Before installing Flatpak, verify that your Linux system meets the basic requirements. Flatpak works on most modern Linux distributions, but the installation method varies depending on which distribution you use. Your system needs a reasonably recent kernel—generally Linux 2.6.32 or newer, which covers virtually all systems updated within the last decade.

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Check your current distribution by opening a terminal and running the command: cat /etc/os-release. This displays information about your Linux version. Common distributions that support Flatpak include Ubuntu (16.04 and later), Fedora (22 and later), Debian (8 and later), Linux Mint (18 and later), Elementary OS, Arch Linux, openSUSE, and CentOS. If you use a less common distribution, visit the official Flatpak documentation to confirm support.

Your system should have at least 200 megabytes of free disk space for Flatpak itself, plus additional space for individual applications. Most Flatpak applications range from 100 megabytes to 1 gigabyte in size, depending on complexity. Ensure you have sufficient storage before proceeding.

You will need administrative (sudo) access to install Flatpak. If your user account does not have sudo privileges, contact your system administrator. Additionally, verify that you have an active internet connection, as the installation process requires downloading files from package repositories and application sources.

Some systems may have old versions of Flatpak already installed. You can check the current version by running: flatpak --version. If Flatpak is not installed, this command returns a "not found" message. If an older version exists, the installation process will update it automatically.

Practical takeaway: Open a terminal, run cat /etc/os-release to identify your distribution, verify you have sudo access and about 200 megabytes of free space, then proceed with the installation method specific to your distribution.

Installing Flatpak on Different Linux Distributions

The installation process differs based on your Linux distribution, but each method is straightforward. Most modern distributions include Flatpak in their standard package repositories, making installation a matter of running a single command with your distribution's package manager.

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For Fedora and Fedora-based systems, open a terminal and run: sudo dnf install flatpak. Fedora includes Flatpak support by default, and this command installs the latest version from the official repositories.

For Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based distributions like Linux Mint and Elementary OS, run: sudo apt install flatpak. On Ubuntu versions 19.04 and later, Flatpak is often pre-installed. If you already have it installed, this command updates it to the latest version.

For Debian, the installation command is identical to Ubuntu: sudo apt install flatpak. Debian includes Flatpak support starting with version 9 (Stretch), though updating to the latest available version in your repository is recommended.

For Arch Linux and Arch-based distributions, run: sudo pacman -S flatpak. Arch maintains Flatpak in its community repository, making installation quick.

For openSUSE, use: sudo zypper install flatpak. This works for both Leap and Tumbleweed versions.

After running the appropriate installation command for your distribution, the system downloads and sets up Flatpak. This typically takes one to three minutes depending on your internet speed. Once installation completes, restart your computer or log out and back in to ensure all system components recognize Flatpak properly.

Verify successful installation by opening a terminal and typing: flatpak --version. The output displays the installed version number, confirming the installation worked.

Practical takeaway: Identify your distribution using cat /etc/os-release, run the corresponding installation command from the list above, then verify with flatpak --version after restarting your session.

Adding the Flathub Repository and Finding Applications

Flathub is the official repository where most Flatpak applications are hosted. Think of it as an app store specifically designed for Flatpak. While Flatpak can work with multiple repositories, Flathub contains the majority of available applications and is the recommended source for most users.

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To add Flathub to your system, open a terminal and run: flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo. This single command adds Flathub as a repository and configures your system to recognize it. The system downloads information about available applications, which takes a minute or two depending on your internet connection.

Verify that Flathub was added successfully by running: flatpak remotes. This command lists all configured repositories. You should see "flathub" in the output with the status "system".

Finding applications on Flathub can be done several ways. The easiest method is visiting the Flathub website at flathub.org using your web browser. The website displays applications organized by category, with popular applications listed prominently. You can search by application name or browse categories like Development, Graphics, Productivity, and Games.

You can also search for applications from the terminal using: flatpak search application-name. For example, flatpak search firefox displays all Firefox-related Flatpak applications available in your repositories. The output shows the application ID, name, version, and description.

Another option is using your system's graphical application manager or software center if it has been updated to support Flatpak. Many modern Linux distributions include Flatpak support in their built-in software installation tools. Look for applications and filter by "Flatpak" if such an option is available in your software manager.

When exploring applications, note the application ID—a unique identifier like "org.mozilla.firefox" or "com.github.GrahamScott.Flatseal". You need this ID to install the application from the terminal.

Practical takeaway: Add Flathub using the remote-add command, verify it appears when you run flatpak remotes, then browse flathub.org or use flatpak search