Google Chrome is a fast and secure web browser built for the modern web. It is available for all major operating systems and allows you to sync bookmarks, history, and passwords across devices.

This guide explains how to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 using the official Google package and repository.

Quick Reference #

Installing Google Chrome on Ubuntu #

Chrome is not open source and is not included in the standard Ubuntu repositories. The official .deb package adds the Google signing key and repository so Chrome stays updated automatically.

Download Google Chrome #

Open a terminal and use wget to download the latest stable package:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

Install Google Chrome #

Install the package with apt. Running this command requires sudo privileges :

sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

When prompted, enter your password to complete the installation.

Starting Google Chrome #

Open the Activities overview by pressing the Super key, search for “Google Chrome”, and launch it:

You can also start Chrome from the terminal:

google-chrome

When you start Chrome for the first time, you will be asked whether you want to set it as the default browser and enable crash reports:

Chrome then opens the welcome page:

From here, you can sign in with your Google account and sync your settings.

Set Chrome as Default Browser #

To set Chrome as the default browser from the command line, run:

xdg-settings set default-web-browser google-chrome.desktop

To verify the current default browser:

xdg-settings get default-web-browser

google-chrome.desktop

Updating Google Chrome #

During installation, the official Google repository is added to your system. Verify the repository file with cat :

cat /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list

Example output:

### THIS FILE IS AUTOMATICALLY CONFIGURED ###
# You may comment out this entry, but any other modifications may be lost.
deb [arch=amd64] https://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main

Chrome updates are delivered through the standard Ubuntu update process:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Uninstalling Google Chrome #

To remove Google Chrome from your system, run:

sudo apt remove google-chrome-stable

Then clean up unused dependencies:

sudo apt autoremove

Troubleshooting #

The installation fails with dependency errors
Fix broken dependencies and re-run the install:

sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

Chrome does not start after installation
Close any running Chrome processes and start it again:

pkill -f chrome
google-chrome

Repository file is missing
Reinstall the package to recreate the repository file:

sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

FAQ #

What is the difference between Chrome and Chromium?
Chromium is the open-source project that Chrome is built on. Chrome adds proprietary features such as automatic updates, licensed media codecs (AAC, H.264), and tighter Google account integration.

How do I import bookmarks from another browser?
Open Chrome, go to Settings > Import bookmarks and settings, and select the browser you want to import from.

Can I install Chrome Beta or Dev channels?
Yes. Replace google-chrome-stable with google-chrome-beta or google-chrome-unstable in the download URL and install command.

Conclusion #

Google Chrome installs on Ubuntu 24.04 using the official .deb package, which also configures the Google repository for automatic updates.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Python is one of the most popular programming languages. It is used to build all kinds of applications, from simple scripts to complex machine-learning systems. With its straightforward syntax, Python is a good choice for both beginners and experienced developers.

Ubuntu 24.04 ships with Python 3.12 preinstalled. To check the version on your system:

python3 --version

Python 3.12.3

If you need a newer Python version such as 3.13 or 3.14, you can install it from the deadsnakes PPA or build it from source. Both methods install the new version alongside the system Python without replacing it. This guide shows how to install Python on Ubuntu 24.04 using both approaches.

Quick Reference #

Installing Python from the Deadsnakes PPA #

The deadsnakes PPA provides newer Python versions packaged for Ubuntu. This is the easiest way to install a different Python version.

1. Install the prerequisites and add the PPA:

   Terminal

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install software-properties-common
   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa

   Press Enter when prompted to confirm.

2. Install Python 3.13:

   Terminal

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3.13

   To install Python 3.14 instead, replace python3.13 with python3.14 in the command above.

3. Verify the installation:

   Terminal

   python3.13 --version

   output

   Python 3.13.11

   You can also confirm the binary location:

   Terminal

   which python3.13

4. Install the venv module (needed for creating virtual environments):

   Terminal

   sudo apt install python3.13-venv

5. If you need pip, install the venv package and create a virtual environment, then use pip inside the venv:

   Terminal

   python3.13 -m venv myproject
   source myproject/bin/activate
   python -m pip install --upgrade pip

   If you need a system-level pip for that interpreter, run:

   Terminal

   python3.13 -m ensurepip --upgrade

Installing Python from Source #

Compiling Python from source allows you to install any version and customize the build options. However, you will not be able to manage the installation through the apt package manager.

The following steps show how to compile Python 3.13. If you are installing a different version, replace the version number in the commands below.

1. Install the libraries and dependencies required to build Python:

   Terminal

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install build-essential zlib1g-dev libncurses5-dev libgdbm-dev libnss3-dev libssl-dev libreadline-dev libffi-dev libsqlite3-dev wget libbz2-dev liblzma-dev

2. Download the source code from the Python download page using wget :

   Terminal

   wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.13.11/Python-3.13.11.tgz

3. Extract the archive :

   Terminal

   tar -xf Python-3.13.11.tgz

4. Navigate to the source directory and run the configure script:

   Terminal

   cd Python-3.13.11
   ./configure --enable-optimizations

   The --enable-optimizations flag runs profile-guided optimization tests, which makes the build slower but produces a faster Python binary.

5. Start the build process:

   Terminal

   make -j $(nproc)

   The -j $(nproc) option uses all available CPU cores for a faster build.

6. Install the Python binaries using altinstall. Do not use install, as it overwrites the system python3 binary and can break system tools that depend on it:

   Terminal

   sudo make altinstall

7. Verify the installation:

   Terminal

   python3.13 --version

   output

   Python 3.13.11

Setting Up a Virtual Environment #

After installing a new Python version, create a virtual environment for your project to keep dependencies isolated:

python3.13 -m venv myproject

Activate the virtual environment:

source myproject/bin/activate

Your shell prompt will change to show the environment name. Inside the virtual environment, python and pip point to the version you used to create it.

To deactivate the virtual environment:

deactivate

For more details, see our guide on how to create Python virtual environments .

Uninstalling the PPA Version (Optional) #

To remove the PPA version:

sudo apt remove python3.13 python3.13-venv

To remove the PPA itself:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:deadsnakes/ppa

FAQ #

Should I use the PPA or build from source?
The deadsnakes PPA is the recommended method for most users. It is easier to install, receives security updates through apt, and does not require build tools. Build from source only if you need a custom build configuration or a version not available in the PPA.

Will installing a new Python version break my system?
No. Both methods install the new version alongside the system Python 3.12. The system python3 command is not affected. You access the new version with python3.13 or python3.14.

How do I make the new Python version the default?
You can use update-alternatives to configure it, but this is not recommended. Many Ubuntu system tools depend on the default python3 being the version that shipped with the OS. Use virtual environments instead.

How do I install pip for the new Python version?
The recommended approach is to use a virtual environment. Install python3.13-venv, create a venv, and use pip inside it. If you need a system-level pip for that interpreter, run python3.13 -m ensurepip --upgrade.

What is the difference between install and altinstall when building from source?
altinstall installs the binary as python3.13 without creating a python3 symlink. install creates the symlink, which overwrites the system Python and can break Ubuntu system tools.

Does Ubuntu 24.04 include pip by default?
Ubuntu 24.04 includes Python 3.12 but does not include pip in the base installation. Install it with sudo apt install python3-pip. For newer Python versions, use python3.13 -m pip inside a virtual environment.

Conclusion #

Ubuntu 24.04 ships with Python 3.12. To install a newer version, use the deadsnakes PPA for a simple apt-based installation, or build from source for full control over the build. Use virtual environments to manage project dependencies without affecting the system Python.

For more on Python package management, see our guide on how to use pip .

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.