Do you know Chromium is the basic building block of the Google Chrome browser? Well, most users do not. Today we will talk about the significance and the installation of Chromium on Debian 12.

Chromium is an open-source web browser project that is the foundation for many popular browsers, including Google Chrome. It plays a significant role in Linux, offering a fast, secure, and feature-rich browsing experience. It enables Linux users to access the web, browse websites, and interact with online content seamlessly. Its open-source nature allows for community collaboration and customization, making it a valuable asset for the Linux ecosystem.

Debian 12, codenamed Bookworm, is the latest release of the Debian distribution. Can Chromium be installed on this latest version of Debian? Just stick with this guide. This post will elaborate on the installation of Chromium on Debian 12.

How to Install Chromium on Debian 12?

Chromium, the widely used browser, offers various ways to install it on the latest Debian release, i.e., Debian 12, codenamed Bookworm. The Chromium can be installed using the apt install command (which fetches the installable through the apt repository of Debian 12) and the flatpak repository.

Before getting into the installation methods, you need to adopt only one method. Do not go for both methods back to back. This will create a conflict, and you may observe two different installations of the Chromium browser.

Method 1: Install Chromium on Debian 12 Using apt

Most Debian packages are offered through the apt repository, the most trusted and recommended way to get the packages on your Debian 12. The step-by-step guide to installing Chromium using the apt is as follows:

Step 1: Update the Packages List

It is recommended to update the packages list of Debian 12 using the apt update command as follows:

$ sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Chromium

Once the updated packages are loaded, use the apt install command to get Chromium on Debian 12 as follows:

$ sudo apt install chromium

Once installed, you can launch the Chromium browser from the terminal by running the command:

$ chromium

Method 2: Install Chromium on Debian 12 Using Flatpak

Flatpak is a software deployment and package management system for Linux distributions, including Debian. It enables users to install and run applications in a sandboxed environment, providing better security and compatibility across different Linux distributions.

With the vast range of packages listed, Chromium is also available on the flatpak. Let’s see how it can be installed:

Step 1: Install Flatpak

The flatpak is not installed by default. However, it can be installed on Debian 12 via the command:

$ sudo apt install flatpak

Step 2: Add the Flathub Repository

Once the flatpak is installed, enable the flathub repository to your Debian 12 using the command below. The flatpak retrieves the packages from the flathub repository.

$ sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Step 3: Install Chromium

Once you have installed flatpak and added the flathub repository, you can now install the chromium using the command as follows:

$ flatpak install org.chromium.Chromium

To verify the installation, you can launch the chromium from the terminal or the applications menu.

How to Remove Chromium From Debian 12?

The installation of the Chromium was carried out using two different methods. Thus, you need to identify the installation method before you get into the removal method. Here, we will list the removal through both methods.

Remove Chromium Using apt

If Chromium is installed on Debian 12 via the apt repository, then you can easily remove it using the command as follows:

$ sudo apt autoremove chromium

Remove Chromium Using flatpak

Moreover, the Chromium installed with the help of flatpak can be removed using the command:

$ flatpak uninstall org.chromium.Chromium

That’s how you can install and remove Chromium on your Debian 12 system.

Wrap Up

Chromium serves as the foundation for many popular web browsers, including Google Chrome, and is an essential component in the Linux ecosystem. Its open-source nature, fast performance, and rich feature set make it a significant browser choice for Linux users. On Debian 12 (Bookworm), Chromium can be easily installed through the apt package manager or the flatpak repository, providing users with multiple installation options. Following the provided installation steps, users can enjoy a secure and feature-rich browsing experience on Debian 12.

Follow Linux Genie for more guides on the latest Debian 12.