How to Harness the Power of Open Source – Welcome to the World of Ubuntu

How to Install Chrome on Ubuntu? A Step-by-Step Guide for GUI and Terminal!

Basics of Ubuntu
佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa
By 佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa (運営者)
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目次

1. Introduction

When using Ubuntu, Firefox is pre-installed as the default browser. However, many users prefer Google Chrome for the following reasons:

  • Fast browsing speed: Google’s optimization technology allows web pages to load quickly.
  • Extensive extension support: Access a wide range of extensions available on the Chrome Web Store.
  • Google account synchronization: Easily sync bookmarks, history, and passwords across multiple devices.
  • Support for the latest web technologies: Quick adoption of the latest JavaScript and CSS features.

In this guide, we will explain in detail how to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu, making it easy for beginners to follow. We’ll cover both GUI-based and terminal-based installation methods. Additionally, troubleshooting tips and a FAQ section are included at the end, so be sure to read through to the last section.

2. Preparing for Installation

Before installing Google Chrome, there are a few things you should check.

Check System Requirements

Google Chrome runs on 64-bit versions of Ubuntu. First, verify whether your Ubuntu system is 64-bit.

Run the following command in the terminal:

uname -m
  • If you see x86_64: Your system is 64-bit, and Chrome can be installed.
  • If you see i686 or i386: Your system is 32-bit, and Chrome is not supported. (Consider using the “Chromium” browser as an alternative.)

Ensure Internet Connection & Administrator Privileges

An internet connection is required to download and install Chrome. If using the terminal, you will also need administrator (sudo) privileges, so make sure your account has the necessary permissions.

To check for administrator privileges, run the following command:

sudo -v

If no errors appear after entering your password, you have the required permissions.

年収訴求

3. Installation Methods

There are three ways to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu:

  • Method 1: GUI Installation from the Official Website (Beginner-Friendly)
  • Method 2: Terminal-Based Installation Using Commands
  • Method 3: Installing via Ubuntu Software Center

Method 1: Download and Install via the Official Website (For Beginners)

  1. Visit the official Google Chrome website
    Open Ubuntu’s default browser (such as Firefox) and go to the Google Chrome official website.
  2. Download the .deb package
    Click the “Download Chrome” button and select “64-bit .deb (For Debian/Ubuntu)”.
  3. Open the downloaded package
    Navigate to your “Downloads” folder and double-click the downloaded .deb file to launch the software installer.
  4. Start the installation
    Click the “Install” button and enter your password to proceed with the installation.
  5. Verify installation
    Once installation is complete, open the “Applications Menu,” search for Google Chrome, and launch it.

Method 2: Install via Terminal (For Advanced Users)

Using the terminal allows for a quicker and smoother installation process.

  1. Open the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T)
  2. Download the Google Chrome .deb package
   wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
  1. Install the package
   sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
  1. Fix dependency issues if needed
   sudo apt --fix-broken install
  1. Verify the installation
   google-chrome --version

If Chrome’s version number appears, the installation was successful.

Method 3: Install via Ubuntu Software Center

  1. Open Ubuntu Software
  2. Search for “Google Chrome”
  3. Click the “Install” button
  4. Enter your password and wait for installation to complete
  5. Open Chrome from the “Applications Menu”

4. Post-Installation Setup & Verification

Launching Google Chrome

After installation, you can launch Google Chrome using the terminal or GUI.

google-chrome

Alternatively, you can open the “Applications Menu”, search for “Google Chrome”, and click to launch it.

Setting Chrome as the Default Browser

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. A message will appear: “Set Google Chrome as your default browser?”
  3. Click “Set as default”.

This ensures that Chrome will be used as the primary browser when opening web links.

5. Troubleshooting

Installation Errors

Sometimes, you may encounter an error message like the following during installation:

dpkg: error processing package google-chrome-stable

To fix this, run the following command:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

This will automatically resolve dependency issues related to the installation.

Chrome Not Launching

If Chrome does not start after installation, try clearing the cache or reinstalling it.

Clearing Cache

rm -rf ~/.config/google-chrome
google-chrome

Reinstalling Chrome

sudo apt remove google-chrome-stable
sudo apt update
sudo apt install google-chrome-stable

If the issue persists, check the error logs in /var/log/syslog to diagnose the problem.

6. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Can Chrome update automatically?

A1: Yes, since the Google repository is added during installation, Chrome updates automatically. To manually update, use:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade google-chrome-stable

Q2: How do I uninstall Google Chrome?

A2: Run the following command to remove Chrome:

sudo apt remove google-chrome-stable

Q3: I can’t type in Japanese in Chrome.

A3: Install ibus-mozc to enable Japanese input:

sudo apt install ibus-mozc

Then, restart your system to apply the changes.

Q4: Chrome is running slow. What can I do?

A4: Try disabling unnecessary extensions and clearing the cache.

Disabling Extensions

  1. Type chrome://extensions/ in Chrome’s address bar.
  2. Turn off any extensions you don’t need.

Clearing Cache

rm -rf ~/.cache/google-chrome

Performing these steps can help improve Chrome’s performance.

7. Summary

In this guide, we covered how to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu.

Key Takeaways

  • We introduced two installation methods: GUI (Official Website / Software Center) and Terminal.
  • We explained how to set Chrome as the default browser after installation.
  • We provided troubleshooting solutions for installation and startup issues.
  • Our FAQ section covered updates, uninstallation, Japanese input, and performance improvements.

Installing Google Chrome on Ubuntu allows for a smoother and faster browsing experience. Follow this guide to set it up seamlessly! 🚀