softwares

How to Uninstall Linux Apps on Chromebook

Pritam Dhara
Pritam Dhara@pritam1813

29 October 2023

Linux penguin icon beside a laptop on white background

Chromebooks are versatile devices that can run different operating systems, such as Chrome OS, Android, and Linux. Linux is a popular choice for users who want to access more apps and features on their Chromebooks, such as coding, gaming, and productivity tools. However, sometimes you may want to uninstall some Linux apps that you no longer need or use, to free up some space or improve your device's performance. In this article, we will show you how to uninstall Linux apps on Chromebook in a few easy steps.

What are Linux Apps and How to Install Them on Chromebook?

Linux apps are applications that are designed to run on the Linux operating system, which is a free and open-source software platform that powers many devices and servers around the world. Linux apps can offer more functionality and customization than the default Chrome OS or Android apps, and they can also run offline.

To install Linux apps on Chromebook, you need to enable the Linux (Beta) feature on your device. This feature allows you to create a Linux virtual machine on your Chromebook, where you can install and run Linux apps. To enable the Linux (Beta) feature, follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings on your Chromebook and click on the Advanced option in the left sidebar.
  • Click on Developers and then Linux (Beta).
  • Click on the Turn On button and follow the instructions on the screen.
  • Once the setup is complete, you will see a Linux terminal icon in your app launcher, where you can access the Linux command line interface.

To install Linux apps on Chromebook, you can use either the Linux terminal or the Chrome OS file manager. The Linux terminal allows you to install Linux apps using commands, while the Chrome OS file manager allows you to install Linux apps using graphical user interface (GUI).

To install Linux apps using the Linux terminal, follow these steps:

  • Open the Linux terminal from your app launcher and type sudo apt update to update your package list.
  • Type sudo apt install [app name] to install the app you want, where [app name] is the name of the app. For example, sudo apt install gimp will install GIMP, a photo editing software.
  • Type y when prompted to confirm the installation.
  • Once the installation is complete, you can launch the app from your app launcher or from the terminal by typing its name.

To install Linux apps using the Chrome OS file manager, follow these steps:

  • Download the app file from a trusted source, such as [Flathub] or [Snapcraft]. The app file should have a .deb, .flatpak, or .snap extension.
  • Open the Chrome OS file manager and locate the app file in your Downloads folder.
  • Right-click on the app file and select Install with Linux (Beta).
  • Wait for the installation to finish and then launch the app from your app launcher.

How to Uninstall Linux Apps on Chromebook?

There are two ways to uninstall Linux apps on Chromebook: using the Linux terminal or using the Chrome OS settings. Both methods are simple and effective, but they have some differences.

To uninstall Linux apps using the Linux terminal, follow these steps:

  • Open the Linux terminal from your app launcher and type sudo apt remove [app name] to remove the app you want, where [app name] is the name of the app. For example, sudo apt remove gimp will remove GIMP from your device.
  • Type y when prompted to confirm the removal.
  • Optionally, you can also type sudo apt autoremove to remove any unused dependencies that were installed with the app.

To uninstall Linux apps using the Chrome OS settings, follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings on your Chromebook and click on Apps in the left sidebar.
  • Click on Linux Apps and then Manage applications.
  • Find the app you want to uninstall and click on the Uninstall button next to it.
  • Click on Uninstall again to confirm.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Linux apps on Chromebook is a simple process that can help you optimize your device's performance and storage space. You can use either the Linux terminal or the Chrome OS settings to uninstall any Linux app that you don't need or use anymore. We hope this article has helped you learn how to uninstall Linux apps on Chromebook easily and effectively. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below.