How to Run Google Chrome in Ubuntu

This guide walks you through installing and launching Google Chrome on Ubuntu. You’ll learn the recommended way to add the official repository, install the browser, and start it from the command line or the desktop. No prior experience with the terminal is required, but you should know your sudo password.

What You’ll Need

Ubuntu 20.04 or newer (64-bit)
An active internet connection
A user account with sudo privileges
Terminal access (Ctrl+Alt+T)

Step-by-Step

Open a terminal. Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard. This opens the GNOME Terminal, which is the default on Ubuntu.
Download the Google Chrome .deb package. In the terminal, run:
```
wget -q -O - https://dl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add -
```
This adds Google’s signing key so your system trusts the official repository. Note: on newer Ubuntu versions (22.04+), apt-key is deprecated, but this command still works for now. If you get a warning, it’s harmless.

Add the official Google Chrome repository. Run:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list'

This creates a file that tells apt where to find Chrome updates.

Update your package list. Run:
```
sudo apt update
```
This refreshes the list of available packages from all configured repositories, including the one you just added.
Install Google Chrome. Run:
```
sudo apt install google-chrome-stable
```
This installs the stable version of Chrome. If you prefer the beta or dev channel, replace stable with beta or unstable in the package name.
Launch Chrome. After installation finishes, you can start Chrome in two ways:
- From the terminal: type google-chrome and press Enter.
- From the desktop: click the Activities button (top-left corner), type “Chrome”, and click the Google Chrome icon.
Pin Chrome to your dock (optional). When Chrome is running, right-click its icon in the dock and select “Add to Favorites”. This gives you one-click access in the future.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong architecture. The repository entry above is for 64-bit systems. If you have a 32-bit Ubuntu (rare on modern hardware), this won’t work. Check with uname -m; it should output x86_64.
Skipping the update step. If you run apt install without apt update first, apt won’t know about the new Chrome package and will say “Unable to locate package”.
Mixing repositories. If you previously added a third-party Chrome repository, remove it before adding the official one to avoid conflicts.
Running as root. Chrome refuses to run as root by default. If you try sudo google-chrome, it will fail. Always run it as your normal user.

Tips

Use the command-line flags. You can start Chrome with extra options, e.g., google-chrome --incognito for a private window, or google-chrome --new-window to open a fresh window.
Set Chrome as your default browser. Go to Settings > Default Applications in Ubuntu, or inside Chrome go to Settings > Default browser and click “Make default”.
Keep it updated. Chrome updates automatically in the background, but you can force an update with sudo apt upgrade.
Uninstall cleanly. If you ever want to remove Chrome, run sudo apt remove google-chrome-stable and also delete the repository file: sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list.

Troubleshooting

“Unable to locate package google-chrome-stable” – This usually means the repository wasn’t added correctly or you didn’t run apt update. Check the file /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list exists and contains the line from step 3. Then run sudo apt update again.
Chrome won’t launch after install. Try launching from the terminal with google-chrome to see any error messages. A common issue is missing dependencies; run sudo apt --fix-broken install to resolve them.
Chrome crashes on startup. This can be due to GPU driver issues. Try running google-chrome --disable-gpu to see if that helps. If it does, you can edit the .desktop file to add that flag permanently.
No icon in the dock. If Chrome is running but the icon is missing, log out and back in. If that fails, reinstall the package: sudo apt reinstall google-chrome-stable.
Error about missing libnss3. Run sudo apt install libnss3 and then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google Chrome free to use?

Yes, Chrome is free to download and use. It’s proprietary software, but there is no cost.

Can I install Chrome without the terminal?

Yes. Go to the Google Chrome download page, download the .deb file, and double-click it. Ubuntu’s Software Center will handle the installation. However, the terminal method described here ensures you get automatic updates from the official repository.

What’s the difference between Chrome and Chromium?

Chromium is the open-source project that Chrome is based on. Chrome adds proprietary features like Widevine DRM for Netflix, automatic updates, and built-in Flash support (though Flash is now deprecated). For most users, Chrome is the more polished experience.

How do I update Chrome?

Chrome updates itself automatically in the background. If you want to check manually, open Chrome and go to Settings > About Chrome. It will check for updates and install them.

Can I run Chrome on Ubuntu 32-bit?

No. Google stopped providing 32-bit builds for Linux in 2016. If you have a 32-bit system, you’ll need to use Chromium or another browser.

Does Chrome work on Ubuntu 24.04?

Yes, Chrome works on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. The official repository supports all current LTS releases. If you encounter issues, ensure your system is fully updated.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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