How to install X (Twitter) on Ubuntu in 2026

This keeps you on the official X website, works on current Ubuntu releases, and avoids depending on a discontinued third-party client.

Use X.com in your browser first. Add a desktop shortcut if you want a separate app window. Treat Cawbird as legacy software, not the main solution.

Method 1: Use X in a Browser on Ubuntu

The browser method is the simplest and most reliable option. It works with Firefox, Chrome, Chromium, Brave, Edge, Vivaldi, Opera, and most other modern browsers available on Ubuntu.

1. Open your preferred browser on Ubuntu.
2. Go to https://x.com/.
3. Sign in with your X account.
4. Allow browser notifications if you want desktop alerts.
5. Bookmark the page or pin the tab if you use X often.

Note: If you use multiple X accounts, a separate browser profile is cleaner than signing in and out all day. Chrome, Chromium, Brave, and Firefox all support separate profiles.

Method 2: Create an X Desktop Shortcut on Ubuntu

If you want X to open like a desktop app, use a browser shortcut. This does not install a native Linux app. It creates a launcher that opens X.com in its own browser-managed window.

Chrome, Chromium, or Brave

Chromium-based browsers are usually the easiest way to create a desktop-style X shortcut on Ubuntu.

1. Open Chrome, Chromium, or Brave.
2. Go to https://x.com/.
3. Open the browser menu in the top-right corner.
4. Choose the shortcut or app option. In Chrome, this is usually under More Tools, then Create shortcut.
5. Name the shortcut X or X Twitter.
6. If your browser shows an Open as window option, enable it.
7. Launch X from your Ubuntu app menu.

Google’s own Chrome help says Linux users can add a website shortcut as an app. The exact menu label can change between browser versions, but the idea is the same: create a shortcut for X.com and open it like a separate app window.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge also supports installing websites as apps on Linux. If you already use Edge on Ubuntu, this is a clean way to keep X separate from your normal browsing tabs.

1. Open Edge.
2. Go to https://x.com/.
3. Open the Edge menu.
4. Choose Apps, then choose Install this site as an app.
5. Confirm the name and open it from your app launcher.

Method 3: Use GNOME Web as an X Web App

GNOME Web, also called Epiphany, can save websites as web apps. This fits Ubuntu users who want a separate launcher icon without using Chrome or Edge.

You can install GNOME Web from Ubuntu Software or with this command:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install epiphany-browser

Then create the X web app:

1. Open GNOME Web.
2. Go to https://x.com/.
3. Open the menu button in the top-right corner.
4. Select Install as Web App.
5. Name it X or X Twitter.
6. Launch it from the Ubuntu Activities overview.

Note: GNOME Web is useful for a simple app-style window, but some users may prefer Chrome, Chromium, or Brave if they need stronger extension support, profile management, or password manager integration.

Legacy Method: Cawbird on Ubuntu

Cawbird was a popular open-source Twitter client for Linux, but it should no longer be presented as the best way to use X on Ubuntu. The official Cawbird GitHub page says Cawbird for Twitter stopped being developed in January 2023 after Twitter changed its developer agreement and revoked API keys.

That makes Cawbird a legacy option. It may still appear in some package sources, and the Snap Store still lists it, but Snapcraft also warns that the snap has not been updated in a while and may be unmaintained.

Recommendation: most users should skip Cawbird and use X.com in a browser instead.

If you already installed Cawbird from the old guide, you can remove it with the command that matches your install method.

Remove the APT Version

sudo apt remove cawbird

Remove the Snap Version

sudo snap remove cawbird

Remove the Flatpak Version

flatpak uninstall uk.co.ibboard.cawbird

You can also remove its old local settings if you no longer need them:

rm -rf ~/.config/cawbird