Install and Use Flatpak on AlmaLinux 8: Easy Way To Download Apps

This tutorial is designed to guide you through the process of Install and Use Flatpak on AlmaLinux 8. Flatpak is a powerful software deployment and package management solution. It provides a sandboxed environment, allowing users to run applications in isolation from the rest of the system, enhancing security and stability. Using Flatpak is an easy way to download apps on AlmaLinux 8.

Advantages of Flatpak:

Flatpak offers several advantages as a package manager:

Sandboxing: Applications run in isolated environments, preventing them from interfering with the core system or other applications.
Dependency Management: Flatpak bundles all the necessary dependencies with the application, eliminating dependency conflicts.
Cross-Distribution Compatibility: Flatpak applications can run on various Linux distributions without modification.
Centralized Repository: Flathub provides a vast repository of applications available for easy installation.
User-Level Installation: Flatpak allows users to install applications without requiring root privileges.

Let’s proceed with the steps to set up the Flatpak package manager on AlmaLinux 8.

Before we begin, ensure you’re logged into your AlmaLinux 8 server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. If you haven’t already configured this, you can follow a guide on Initial Server Setup with AlmaLinux 8.

Installation Steps of Flatpak on AlmaLinux 8

First, refresh your local package index using the following command:

sudo dnf update -y

The Flatpak package is readily available in the default AlmaLinux repository. Install it by executing:

sudo dnf install flatpak -y

Confirm the successful installation of Flatpak by checking its version:

flatpak --version

**Output**
Flatpak 1.10.7

How To Use Flatpak Package Manager?

Now that Flatpak is installed, let’s explore how to use it effectively.

Enable Flathub on AlmaLinux 8

Before you can start installing applications, you need to enable Flathub, a popular and comprehensive platform for finding and installing Flatpak applications.

Use the following command to add Flathub as a remote repository:

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

Search Apps with Flatpak

To find a specific application, use the flatpak search command followed by the application name. The syntax is as follows:

flatpak search <Application_name>

For example, to search for OpenJDK:

flatpak search openjdk

Install an App with Flatpak

Once you’ve found the application you want to install, use the flatpak install command.

flatpak install <Application_name>

For example:

flatpak install openjdk

The system will then prompt you to choose the specific version or runtime you wish to install.

Upon completion of the installation, you will see an output similar to the following:

Uninstall Apps with Flatpak

To uninstall an application, use the flatpak uninstall command followed by the application’s ID (APP-ID).

flatpak uninstall APP-ID

For example:

flatpak uninstall runtime/org.freedesktop.Sdk.Extension.openjdk17

For more detailed information, refer to the official Flatpak Docs.

Uninstall or Remove Flatpak

If you decide that you no longer need Flatpak, you can remove it from your system using the following command:

sudo dnf autoremove flatpak -y

Conclusion

This guide has shown you how to Install and Use Flatpak on AlmaLinux 8. With Flatpak, you can easily download and install applications without worrying about complex dependencies and requirements. Using Flatpak makes it an easy way to download apps.

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Alternative Solutions for Installing Applications on AlmaLinux 8

While Flatpak provides a robust and convenient method for installing applications, other options are available. Here are two alternative approaches:

1. Using Snap

Snap is another popular package management system that offers similar benefits to Flatpak, such as sandboxing and dependency management. While Flatpak relies on Flathub as its primary repository, Snap uses the Snap Store.

Installation:

First, you need to enable the Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository, as Snap is not available in the default AlmaLinux repositories:

sudo dnf install epel-release -y

Next, install Snapd:

sudo dnf install snapd -y

Enable the snapd socket:

sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

Finally, create a symbolic link for classic snap support:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

Usage:

To search for an application:

snap find <application_name>

For example, to search for VLC:

snap find vlc

To install an application:

sudo snap install <snap_name>

For example, to install VLC:

sudo snap install vlc

To remove an application:

sudo snap remove <snap_name>

Snap offers an alternative approach to application installation, particularly when certain applications are readily available as Snaps but not as Flatpaks, or vice versa.

2. Using AppImage

AppImage is a format for distributing portable software on Linux without needing superuser permissions to install the application. Unlike Flatpak and Snap, AppImage doesn’t integrate with the system as much. Each AppImage is a self-contained executable that includes all the dependencies needed to run the application.

Installation and Usage:

Download the AppImage: Obtain the AppImage file for the desired application from the developer’s website or a trusted source.
Make it Executable: Grant execute permissions to the downloaded AppImage file:
```
chmod +x <application_name>.AppImage
```
Run the AppImage: Simply double-click the AppImage file or execute it from the command line:
```
./<application_name>.AppImage
```

Example:

Let’s say you downloaded an AppImage named myapp.AppImage. The commands would be:

chmod +x myapp.AppImage
./myapp.AppImage

Advantages:

Portability: AppImages are self-contained and can be run from anywhere without installation.
No Root Privileges: Installation and execution do not require root privileges.
Simplicity: Easy to use and manage.

Disadvantages:

Lack of Integration: AppImages don’t integrate as deeply with the system as Flatpaks or Snaps (e.g., no automatic updates).
Size: AppImages can be larger than traditionally installed packages because they bundle all dependencies.

While Flatpak remains a recommended solution, exploring Snap and AppImage expands the possibilities for managing and installing applications on your AlmaLinux 8 system. When choosing the best approach, consider the application’s availability, your preference for sandboxing and system integration, and the simplicity of the installation process. As shown, Install and Use Flatpak on AlmaLinux 8 is very easy.