First time Flatpak user - questions on Flatpak app installation and update

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Installing Flatpak app for the first time and googling doesn’t clear my confusion. Thanks in advance for any help to clarify my understanding.

  1. Googled and understand that
  • Flatpak’s update is done automatically by the Flatpak’s updater service that runs 10 minutes after every boot.
  • and update of Flatpak’s app also can be done using the command in root
    # flatpak update org.telegram.desktop

Question: Is the above understanding of Flatpak’s update mechanism correct, meaning Flatpak will automatically update the app if there is a newer version?

  1. While researching for the above, I deleted telegram desktop app and found out that I can install it as a normal user.

Question: Should installation of Flatpak’s app (eg most user app like Telegram, Gimp etc) be done in root or as normal user?

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Question: Is the above understanding of Flatpak’s update mechanism correct, meaning Flatpak will automatically update the app if there is a newer version?

Usually your software store (GNOME Software, KDE Discover, etc…) can automatically update your Flatpaks instead.

Question: Should installation of Flatpak’s app (eg most user app like Telegram, Gimp etc) be done in root or as normal user?

It is advised to install as a normal user. By default Flatpak will make the app available to all users in the system, but you can also use the flatpak --user install <app-id> option to install an app just for the current user. See Using Flatpak - Flatpak documentation

1 Like
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Hi felipeborges,

Usually your software store (GNOME Software, KDE Discover, etc…) can automatically update your Flatpaks instead.

I am using fluxbox in Debian, so do not have the software store (GNOME Software, KDE Discover, etc…). That is why the concern on updates.

It is advised to install as a normal user.

Done that, using apps installed as normal user.

Thanks for the help.

4

I tend to run flatpak update regularly, out of habit. I thought that if I didn’t mind what was happening I’d automate it with flatpak update -y (Flatpak Command Reference - Flatpak documentation). :slight_smile: