Among all internet browsers, Google Chrome has the highest market share across all platforms. Its key features include fast browsing speeds, seamless Google account integration, and a large extension ecosystem. Google Chrome is not in Ubuntu’s default repositories, but you can install it from Google’s official sources. If you prefer the open-source build, you can install Chromium on Ubuntu 24.04 instead.
Quick answer
Google Chrome is not included in Ubuntu’s default repositories. Download the official .deb package from Google, then install it with sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb. For automatic updates via APT, add Google’s official repository instead.
How to Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04
| Method | Approach | Auto-updates via APT |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal (deb) | wget + dpkg -i | Yes (Google repo added automatically) |
| GUI (GNOME Software) | Download deb ? Open With Software Install | Via gnome-software |
| Official APT Repository | Add GPG key + Google repo + apt install | Yes (full apt integration) |
Method 1: Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 Using the Terminal
Since Google Chrome is not in the official APT repositories, download the deb file directly from Google:
wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
Install Google Chrome:
sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
If dpkg reports dependency errors, run the command below. It pulls in whatever Chrome needs and finishes the half-configured install. Using sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb in the first place avoids the problem entirely:
sudo apt --fix-broken installLaunch Chrome from Activities or via terminal:
google-chrome
Remove the downloaded deb file to save disk space:
sudo rm google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
To remove Google Chrome from Ubuntu 24.04:
sudo apt remove google-chrome-stable -y
Method 2: Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 Via the GUI
First, download Chrome’s deb file from the official website:
The GNOME Software utility handles deb installs via a GUI. The same approach works for other deb apps, such as when you install Slack on Ubuntu 24.04. Install it if not already present:
sudo apt install gnome-software
Navigate to the downloaded deb file (usually in Downloads), right-click it, and select Open With:
Choose Software Install to open GNOME Software:
Click the Install button:
You can update or uninstall Chrome from GNOME Software via the Installed and Updates tabs:
Method 3: Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 Using the Official Repository
Adding Google’s official APT repository gives you standard apt upgrade updates for Chrome going forward.
Step 1: Add GPG Key
Add Google’s signing key to verify packages:
wget -q -O - https://dl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo gpg --dearmour -o /usr/share/keyrings/chrome-keyring.gpg
Step 2: Add Google Chrome Repository
Add Google’s repository to APT sources:
sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/chrome-keyring.gpg] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google.list'
Update the package index:
sudo apt update
Step 3: Install Google Chrome
sudo apt install google-chrome-stable
Note: Installing the deb from Google already drops a google-chrome.list file into /etc/apt/sources.list.d/, so Chrome usually updates through apt upgrade even if you never add the repository by hand. Adding it manually is only necessary when that file is missing.
How to Set Chrome as the Default Browser
Installing Chrome does not make it the default. Ubuntu keeps sending links to Firefox until you change the setting, either from Settings ? Default Applications ? Web or from the terminal:
xdg-settings set default-web-browser google-chrome.desktopConfirm the change took effect, which is worth doing because desktop apps read this value rather than Chrome’s own prompt:
xdg-settings get default-web-browserTroubleshooting Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Install fails with unmet dependencies | dpkg -i cannot resolve dependencies |
sudo apt --fix-broken install |
| Blank or flickering window | GPU acceleration conflict | Launch with google-chrome --disable-gpu |
| Blurry text on a HiDPI display | Chrome running through XWayland | Set Preferred Ozone platform to Wayland |
| Chrome never updates | Missing google-chrome.list |
Add the repository from Method 3 |
| Links still open in Firefox | Default browser unset | xdg-settings set default-web-browser google-chrome.desktop |
| Passwords not saved between sessions | No keyring unlocked | Install gnome-keyring and log out and back in |
Fixing rendering and display problems
If Chrome opens to a blank window or flickers, the cause is almost always GPU acceleration. Start it once with acceleration disabled to confirm, then turn hardware acceleration off permanently under Settings ? System if that solves it:
google-chrome --disable-gpuOn a HiDPI screen under Wayland, open chrome://flags, search for Preferred Ozone platform, and set it to Wayland. That makes Chrome render natively instead of scaling through XWayland, which is what causes the soft or blurry text. Restart Chrome to apply it.
Chrome forgets saved passwords
Chrome stores credentials in the system keyring rather than its own file. If the keyring is missing, saved passwords vanish at each restart:
sudo apt install gnome-keyringBonus Tip: How to Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Chrome in Ubuntu 24.04
After installing Google Chrome, create a desktop shortcut by navigating to /usr/share/applications in the File Manager, finding google-chrome.desktop, and copying it to the desktop:
The shortcut will show an X icon indicating it is not yet trusted. Right-click it and select Allow Launching:
How to Uninstall Google Chrome From Ubuntu 24.04
sudo apt remove google-chrome-stable -y
That removes the package but leaves your profile — bookmarks, history, and extensions — in ~/.config/google-chrome. Keep that folder if you plan to reinstall, or delete it for a completely clean removal. To stop APT checking Google’s repository afterwards, also remove /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list.
Before installing Chrome
Install Chrome only from Google’s official download page or repository. Third-party packages can be outdated or modified, which is not worth the risk for a browser that handles passwords, accounts, and downloads.
If you already use Firefox, you can keep both browsers installed — see our guide to installing Firefox on Ubuntu 24.04. Set the default browser from Ubuntu Settings after installation if links still open in the wrong browser.