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How to Install Linux Mint’s Web App Manager in Ubuntu 24.04 | 20.04

Last updated: February 4, 2025

Linux Mint introduced a Web App Manager app since v20.1, allowing users to turn any web pages into desktop applications. Like a normal application, web app has its own window, its own icon, and can be launched from system app menu.

Ubuntu used to have web apps integration when it was Ubuntu 14.04. The project was however discontinued.

For those want to try out the new Web App Manager from Linux Mint, here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 24.04.

Option 1: Download & Install the DEB binary via direct link:

If you just want to try it out, the DEB binary package is available to download via Linux Mint ftp download page:

Download Web App Manager

Grab it and install the package either via Gdebi package installer or by running command in terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T to open one):

sudo apt install ~/Downloads/webapp-manager*.deb

After that, you may search for and launch ‘Web Apps’ from your system app launcher and enjoy!

Option 2: Install the Web App Manager using Ubuntu PPA

Previously I wrote an optional way to install the app by adding Linux Mint’s repository in Ubuntu. For better choice, there’s an Ubuntu PPA contains the Linux Mint packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 24.04

First, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kelebek333/mint-tools

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue

Then, run command to install the webapp manager package:

sudo apt install webapp-manager

The PPA also contains some other Linux Mint’ apps. You may re-run the last command and replace webapp-manager with one of below to install:

  • warpinator – local network file sharing app.
  • sticky – sticky notes app.
  • hypnotix – IPTV player.

Fix app running slow issue:

Thanks to Oscar, the app may run very slow due to lack of certain Python libraries. By running it from terminal will output something like below:

TypeError: Couldn't find foreign struct converter for 'cairo.Surface'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/webapp-manager/webapp-manager.py", line 222, in data_func_surface
    surface = Gdk.cairo_surface_create_from_pixbuf(pixbuf, self.window.get_scale_factor())
              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

In the case, simply install the python3-gi-cairo package by the running command below should fix the issue:

sudo apt install python3-gi-cairo

How to Remove Web App Manager:

To remove the application, simply open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove webapp-manager

To remove the Ubuntu PPA, use command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:kelebek333/mint-tools
In Howtos
 

Webby: A GTK3 Browser Specially For Creating Web Apps in Ubuntu

Last updated: March 9, 2015

Webby is an open-source project similar to Fogger, it allows to use Facebook, Youtube, or any web app as a normal desktop app in Ubuntu.

Chrome, Firefox, Opera, IE… all these are web browsers with a big toolbar and tabs. In the new era of web apps, it doesn’t makes any sense. Webby allow to use Facebook, Youtube or any web app as a regular desktop apps, integrated with the OS, without tabs and using the default system launcher.

With Webby browser, you can turn any web page into a regular desktop app via 4 steps:

  • paste or type in the url
  • give a name
  • set a launcher icon.
  • finally click the Create app button.

Once Webby successfully created the app, you are able to launch it from the Unity Dash or App Menu immediately.

Below are the GMail and Facebook web apps created by Webby:

How to Install Webby in Ubuntu:

The developer has created an official PPA for this web app browser, currently available for Ubuntu 14.10 and Ubuntu 14.04.

Open terminal from the Dash or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run commands below one by one:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:erasmo-marin/webby-browser

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install webby-browser

NOTE for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS user: Since the app depends on GTK >=3.12, 14.04 Trusty needs Gnome 3 PPA and Gnome 3 Staging PPA (might broken your desktop) for the dependencies.

If you still want to try this browser in Ubuntu 14.04, run below commands to add the PPAs before running previous 3 commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3-staging

Once Webby is properly installed, remove Gnome 3 staging PPA to avoid issues:

sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3-staging
In Howtos