You can install Google Chrome on Ubuntu using the APT repository, a direct .deb download from Google, or Flatpak. Google Chrome is a web browser made by Google. It is proprietary, but it runs natively on Ubuntu and supports DRM for streaming services like Netflix, which the open source alternative Chromium does not.
For most Ubuntu users, the APT repository method is the best choice because Chrome then updates automatically alongside the rest of your system.
This guide covers all three install methods with copy-paste terminal commands, plus how to update, uninstall, and install the beta or dev channel. All commands work on Ubuntu 24.04 and 26.04.
🎯 Which Install Method Is Right for You?
Best for most users. Adds Google’s repo once, then Chrome updates automatically with apt upgrade like any other package. Recommended for long-term installs.
Fastest for a one-time install. Download the .deb from Google and install it. Also adds the Google repo automatically, so updates still work afterward.
Good if you prefer Flatpak sandboxing or manage all apps through Flathub. Not officially distributed by Google, a community wrapper. Slightly slower startup than the .deb version.
① Install Chrome via APT Repository RECOMMENDED
This is the cleanest install method. You add Google’s official signing key and repository to your system once, then install Chrome with apt. After that, Chrome updates automatically every time you run a system update, no manual steps required.
Download and install Google’s GPG key. This tells apt to trust packages from Google’s repository.
Add Google’s official stable repository to your apt sources list.
Refresh your package list to include the new Google repository, then install the stable build.
sudo apt install google-chrome-stable
Open Chrome from your app menu, or launch it directly from the terminal.
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list is permanent. Every time you run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade, apt checks Google’s servers and installs any new Chrome version automatically.② Install Chrome via Direct .deb Download
If you prefer to download the installer directly rather than adding a repository first, this method works just as well. The .deb package from Google automatically adds the Google APT repository to your system after installation, so future updates still come through apt.
Use wget to download the current stable .deb directly from Google’s servers, then install it with apt (which handles dependencies better than dpkg alone).
sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
Visit google.com/chrome, click Download Chrome, and select the 64-bit .deb (for Debian/Ubuntu) option. Then open a terminal in your Downloads folder and run:
sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./filename.deb rather than sudo dpkg -i. The apt command resolves missing dependencies automatically. The dpkg command does not, and will leave Chrome in a broken state if any dependencies are missing.③ Install Chrome via Flatpak
The Flatpak version of Chrome runs in a sandboxed environment and is managed through Flathub. It is not published by Google. It is a community-maintained wrapper around the official Chrome binary. It works reliably for most users, but the sandboxing can occasionally cause issues with system password managers, file pickers, and fonts.
Ubuntu 26.04 does not include Flatpak by default. Install it and add the Flathub repository.
flatpak remote-add –if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Launch from the terminal or find it in your app menu as “Chrome”.
What About Snap?
Google does not publish an official Snap package for Chrome. The Snap Store lists Chromium (the open source version), not Google Chrome. A community-built Snap wrapper for Chrome exists, but it is not supported by Google, not verified, and not recommended for most users.
If you want Chrome on Ubuntu and prefer a managed package format, use the APT repository method (managed, automatic updates, officially from Google) or Flatpak (sandboxed, community wrapper). If you specifically want a browser available as a proper Snap, Chromium is the right choice.
🧪 Beta and Dev Channel Installs
After setting up the Google APT repository (Method 1), you can install the beta or dev channel alongside stable Chrome. All three channels can run on the same system at the same time without conflicting.
sudo apt install google-chrome-beta# Dev/unstable channel (latest features, may be unstable)
sudo apt install google-chrome-unstable# Check versions
google-chrome-stable –version
google-chrome-beta –version
google-chrome –version
Released every 4 weeks. Fully tested. Right for everyone. Command: google-chrome-stable
4 weeks ahead of stable. Good for developers and early adopters. Generally reliable. Command: google-chrome-beta
Cutting edge. Updated weekly. May crash or have broken features. For developers only. Command: google-chrome-unstable
🔄 How to Update Google Chrome on Ubuntu
How you update Chrome depends on how you installed it. If you used the APT repository or the direct .deb download, Chrome is part of your regular apt update cycle and requires no separate steps.
| Install Method | Update Command | Auto-updates? |
|---|---|---|
| APT Repository | sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade |
Yes, updates with system |
| Direct .deb | sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade |
Yes, Google repo added automatically |
| Flatpak | flatpak update com.google.Chrome |
Manual or via software center |
Check your current Chrome version:
# Example output: Google Chrome 136.0.0.0 (version number will differ on your system)
🗑 How to Uninstall Google Chrome on Ubuntu
The uninstall commands differ depending on which method you used to install Chrome. If you want a clean removal with no leftover config files, run the optional cleanup commands after uninstalling.
sudo apt remove google-chrome-stable# Also remove the Google repository and key (optional, clean uninstall)
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list
sudo rm /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/google.gpg
sudo apt update# Remove leftover user profile and config data (optional)
rm -rf ~/.config/google-chrome# Clean up unused dependencies
sudo apt autoremove
flatpak uninstall com.google.Chrome# Remove leftover data (optional)
flatpak uninstall –unused
rm -rf ~/.var/app/com.google.Chrome
Google now offers Chrome for ARM64 Linux, the first time Chrome has supported ARM64 on Linux. Ubuntu users on ARM hardware (Raspberry Pi 5, Apple Silicon Macs running Ubuntu in a VM, and other ARM devices) can now install the real Google Chrome.
Check google.com/chrome for the ARM64 .deb option. If it is not yet listed when you are reading this, Chromium remains the best ARM64 browser option on Ubuntu and is available as a Snap.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu?
The APT repository method is the best long-term approach. It adds Google’s official signing key and repository to your system so Chrome updates automatically with every apt upgrade run. The direct .deb download is slightly faster for a one-time install and also adds the Google repo automatically after installation, so both methods end up in the same place.
Is Google Chrome available as a Snap on Ubuntu?
No. Google does not publish an official Snap package for Chrome. Only Chromium, the open source version, is available as a proper Snap. A community-maintained Snap wrapper for Chrome exists, but it is not supported by Google and we do not recommend it. For a managed-package Chrome install, use the APT repository or Flatpak instead.
What is the difference between Google Chrome and Chromium on Ubuntu?
Google Chrome is Google’s proprietary browser built on the Chromium source code. It includes features not present in Chromium: Google account sync, DRM support (required for Netflix and most streaming services to work), automatic updates via Google’s repository, and integrated Google services. Chromium is the fully open source version without those additions. If you need streaming video to work or want Google account sync, you need Chrome, not Chromium.
Does the Flatpak version of Chrome work properly on Ubuntu?
It works for most tasks, but the sandbox can cause friction with how Chrome connects to the rest of your system. Common issues include the system password manager not integrating cleanly, the file picker showing a different dialog than your usual file manager, and occasional font rendering differences. For a fully integrated experience that behaves like Chrome on any other system, the .deb or APT method is better. Use Flatpak if you specifically want app sandboxing.
How do I check which version of Chrome is installed?
Run google-chrome --version in the terminal. Or open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, go to Help, then About Google Chrome, the current version number and whether Chrome is up to date are both shown there.
Can I install Chrome on Ubuntu ARM64?
Google now offers Chrome for ARM64 Linux. Check google.com/chrome and select the 64-bit ARM .deb option. If Chrome is not yet available for your specific ARM hardware, Chromium is available as a Snap and works well on ARM64 Ubuntu. It is the same open source browser engine, just without Google’s proprietary additions.
Can I install Chrome beta or dev channel on Ubuntu?
Yes, and all three channels can run at the same time without conflicting. After setting up the Google APT repository, run sudo apt install google-chrome-beta for the beta channel or sudo apt install google-chrome-unstable for the dev channel. Beta is roughly 4 weeks ahead of stable and is generally reliable. The dev channel is updated weekly and may have unstable features.
Chrome installed but will not launch: what do I do?
The most common cause is missing dependencies. Run sudo apt install -f to fix any broken dependencies, then try again. If Chrome was installed via dpkg rather than apt, this is especially likely. If Chrome launches but immediately crashes, try running google-chrome --no-sandbox from the terminal to see if sandbox permissions are the issue. Running without sandbox is not recommended as a permanent fix.
More Ubuntu browser guides: Best Web Browsers for Ubuntu · Chromium for Ubuntu · Brave Browser for Ubuntu
