UbuntuHandbook

This simple tutorial shows how to replace the default Snap Store (Ubuntu Software) with Gnome Software with Flatpak support in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

Many applications today publish Linux packages via Flatpak. However, Ubuntu’s software center (aka Snap Store) does not support this universal package format.

If you like, Gnome Software can be a good alternative which has both Snap and Flatpak as well as Deb packages support.

Install Flatpak apps via Gnome Software

(Optional) Step 1: Remove Snap Store

If you don’t need the default snap store, removing it will free up more than 100 MB memory.

To do so, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal, and run command:

sudo snap remove --purge snap-store

You may also follow this guide to completely remove Snap and prevent Ubuntu from automatically installing them back.

Remove the default Ubuntu Software (Snap Store)

Step 2: Install Gnome Software

Also in terminal window (press Ctrl+Alt+T to open one), run the command below to install Gnome Software as well as Flatpak support:

sudo apt install --install-suggests gnome-software

Ubuntu seems to be a little bit self-centered. Without --install-suggests flag, it installs with Canonical’s Snap support but not for Flatpak.

Install Gnome Software

Step 3: Add Flathub repository

The previous command will also install the Flatpak daemon package if you don’t have it. But, it does not add the Flathub.org repository, the best place to get Flatpak apps.

To add it, run command:

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

(Optional) Step 4: Change the app icon

Now you may press Windows (Super) key on keyboard, then search for and open Gnome Software to install apps in Deb, Snap, Flatpak, and use “Software Install” context menu option to install local files in the 3 formats.

Gnome Software original app icon

The app window looks almost same to the Ubuntu Software (Snap Store) but the icon does not.

If you want, edit the app shortcut file by running command in terminal:

sudo gedit /usr/share/applications/org.gnome.Software.desktop

When the file opens, set software-center as value for “Icon“. You may also change the value of “Name” which displays as text in search result.

After saving the file, re-search it again from the overview screen to see the magic:

How to Restore:

For any reason, you can easily remove the Gnome Software app using command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove gnome-software

And install back the original Ubuntu Software via command:

sudo snap install snap-store

That’s all. Enjoy!

This simple tutorial shows Ubuntu beginners how to enable searching and installing Flatpak applications from Software Center in Ubuntu 20.04.

Snap, Flatpak, and Appimage make more and more applications install or run easily in Ubuntu and other Linux Desktops. While Appimage is non-install package and Snap has been made into Ubuntu Software out-of-the-box, this quick tip shows how to make Flatpak packages available to search and install in Software.

1.) First open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When terminal opens, run command to install flatpak plugin:

sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompts and hit Enter.

2.) Add the main flathub repository by running command:

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

3.) Finally restart your computer. In Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 19.10, you should be available to search for and install applications in Flatpak format.

For Ubuntu 20.04, since Ubuntu Software has switched from Gnome Software to Snap Store, you have to launch Gnome Software rather than Ubuntu Software to install applications.