In the world of team and organizational communication, Slack is rising quickly as the most efficient application. Slack is a cross-platform business app with Channels that organize conversations in one place and several other features for effective communication. For more information on Slack, follow this official link.
Quick answer
The simplest way to install Slack on Ubuntu 24.04 is through App Center or Snap. Flatpak also works if you use Flathub, and the package from Slack’s website is useful when you want Slack’s direct desktop build.
How to Install Slack on Ubuntu 24.04
| Method | Source | Auto-updates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Center | Snap store (via GUI) | Yes | Easiest, no terminal needed |
| Snap | Snap store | Yes (snap refresh) | One command |
| deb file | slack.com | No | Latest official build |
| Flatpak | Flathub | Yes (flatpak update) | Flatpak ecosystem |
Method 1: Install Slack on Ubuntu 24.04 Using the App Center
Slack is officially available in Ubuntu 24.04’s App Center. The App Center carries most desktop apps, including Skype on Ubuntu 24.04 if your team uses it too. Open the App Center and search for Slack:
Select the Slack version to install. You can choose beta (may contain bugs) or stable. Click the Install button to proceed:
Note: You can also update Slack from Ubuntu 24.04’s App Center.
Method 2: Install Slack on Ubuntu 24.04 Using Snap
Snap bundles all dependencies into a single package. Install Slack with one command:
sudo snap install slack
Verify the installation:
slack -v
To launch Slack via Snap:
snap run slackTo update Slack installed via Snap:
sudo snap refresh slackMethod 3: Install Slack on Ubuntu 24.04 Using the .deb File
Slack provides an official .deb file for Debian-based distributions. This is the same pattern used to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04. Navigate to the official Slack website and download the .deb file:
Navigate to the Downloads folder, list its contents to confirm the filename, and install:
cd Downloads
ls
sudo apt install ./slack-desktop-4.36.140-amd64.deb
Tip: Use sudo apt install ./file.deb rather than sudo dpkg -i file.deb. The apt form resolves missing dependencies automatically, while dpkg will stop and leave the package half-configured if a dependency is absent.
To launch Slack, use the Activities menu or run:
slackTo update Slack installed via the .deb file:
sudo apt upgrade slack-desktopMethod 4: Install Slack on Ubuntu 24.04 Using Flatpak
Flathub is a centralized source for Flatpak applications on Linux.
Step 1: Add the Flathub Repository
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
sudo flatpak install flathub
Step 2: Install Slack
sudo flatpak install flathub com.slack.Slack
To update Slack installed via Flatpak:
sudo flatpak update --app com.slack.SlackTo run Slack installed via Flatpak:
flatpak run com.slack.SlackHow to check which Slack build is installed
Because Slack can come from Snap, a deb package, or Flatpak, confirm which one is active before troubleshooting anything. Each package format has its own listing command:
snap list slack
apt list --installed 2>/dev/null | grep slack
flatpak list | grep -i slackIf more than one command returns a result, you have duplicate installations. That is the usual cause of two Slack launchers in Activities, notifications arriving twice, or settings that appear to reset between launches. Remove all but one build before troubleshooting further.
Troubleshooting Slack on Ubuntu 24.04
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sharing unavailable or shares a black window | Wayland session | Log out and sign in using Ubuntu on Xorg |
| No desktop notifications | Disabled in Slack or GNOME | Enable in Slack Preferences and GNOME Settings ? Notifications |
| Tray icon missing | GNOME has no legacy tray | Install the AppIndicator GNOME extension |
| Links open in the wrong browser | Default browser not set | Set it with xdg-settings |
| Two Slack icons in Activities | Two package formats installed | Remove the duplicate build |
slack command not found |
Installed via Flatpak | Launch with flatpak run com.slack.Slack |
Screen sharing does not work
Ubuntu 24.04 uses Wayland by default, and Slack’s screen capture was built around X11. Check which session you are running:
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPEIf the output is wayland, log out, click the gear icon on the login screen, and choose Ubuntu on Xorg before signing back in. Screen sharing then behaves the same way it does on other desktops.
Notifications do not appear
Check both sides of the notification chain. In Slack, open Preferences ? Notifications and confirm delivery is enabled. In Ubuntu, open Settings ? Notifications and make sure Slack is allowed to send them and that Do Not Disturb is off.
The tray icon is missing
GNOME does not display legacy tray icons on its own, so Slack disappears completely when you close the window. Installing the AppIndicator extension restores it:
sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-appindicatorLog out and back in after installing so GNOME loads the extension. Slack will then minimise to the top bar instead of exiting.
Links open in the wrong browser
Slack hands links to whatever Ubuntu has registered as the default browser, which also affects the sign-in handoff when you join a workspace. Set it explicitly:
xdg-settings set default-web-browser firefox.desktopReplace firefox.desktop with google-chrome.desktop if you prefer Chrome. If neither browser is present yet, our guides cover how to install Firefox on Ubuntu 24.04 first.
How to Remove Slack on Ubuntu 24.04
| Install method | Remove command |
|---|---|
| App Center or Snap | sudo snap remove slack |
| deb file | sudo apt remove slack-desktop |
| Flatpak | sudo flatpak remove com.slack.Slack |
If you installed Slack using App Center or Snap:
sudo snap remove slack
If you installed Slack from the .deb file:
sudo apt remove slack-desktopTo remove Slack installed via Flatpak:
sudo flatpak remove flathub com.slack.Slack
Removing the package leaves your local Slack profile in place. To clear cached workspace data as well, delete the configuration directory that matches your install: ~/snap/slack for Snap, ~/.config/Slack for the deb build, or ~/.var/app/com.slack.Slack for Flatpak.
Before signing in to Slack
After installing Slack, sign in with your workspace URL or email invitation. If notifications do not appear, check Ubuntu notification settings and Slack’s own desktop notification preferences.
If you switch between Snap, Flatpak, and deb packages, remove the old Slack package first — the same caution applies to media apps like VLC on Ubuntu 24.04. Keeping multiple Slack builds installed can create duplicate launchers and confusing notification behavior.