How to Install GitHub Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04

Download and install GitHub from the Deb package

Installing GitHub Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04 using the official Deb package is a straightforward process that involves downloading a file and running a single command.

First, run the command below to update Ubuntu.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Then, browse and download the latest from download the latest release page.

On the download page, locate and copy the latest version of the link. Then, with the wget command, paste it on the command line.

wget https://github.com/shiftkey/desktop/releases/download/release-3.4.8-linux1/GitHubDesktop-linux-amd64-3.4.8-linux1.deb

Once downloaded, install it by running the command below.

sudo dpkg -i GitHubDesktop-linux-amd64-3.4.8-linux1.deb

After installing, click on Activities in the top left corner of your screen. Select Show Applications.

Search for GitHub Desktop in the application list or use the search bar. Click on the GitHub Desktop icon to launch the application.

Start using GitHub Desktop.

Install GitHub Desktop from Flatpak

You can install GitHub Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04 using Flatpak, a secure way to manage applications that also makes updates simple, but you’ll need to set up Flatpak first.

First, update and install Flatpak.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install flatpak

Next, add the Flatpak repository to Ubuntu.

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Finally, install GitHub Desktop.

flatpak install flathub io.github.shiftey.Desktop

Once installed, you can launch it using the command below or open the app in the desktop apps center.

flatpak run io.github.shiftey.Desktop

Uninstall the app using the command below.

flatpak remove  -y --delete-data io.github.shiftey.Desktop

Install GitHub Desktop from APT

Installing GitHub Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04 with the APT package manager is easy once you add the Shiftkey PPA, which helps keep your software updated automatically.

First, run the command below to import the Shiftkey GPG key on Ubuntu.

wget -qO - https://apt.packages.shiftkey.dev/gpg.key | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/shiftkey-packages.gpg > /dev/null

Next, add the Shiftkey repository to Ubuntu.

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/shiftkey-packages.gpg] https://apt.packages.shiftkey.dev/ubuntu/ any main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/shiftkey-packages.list'

After importing and adding the repository key, run the command below to update and install the GitHub Desktop.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install github-desktop

Once installed, you can launch it using the command below or open the app in the desktop apps center.

If you want to install the app, run the command below.

sudo apt remove github-desktop
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/shiftkey-packages.list

That should do it!

Conclusion:

Installing GitHub Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04 can significantly enhance your development workflow. Whether you install it via Deb, Flatpak, or APT, GitHub Desktop provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies version control tasks.

• Multiple Installation Methods: You can choose between Deb packages, Flatpak, or APT based on your preference.
• User-Friendly Interface: GitHub Desktop’s graphical interface makes managing Git repositories accessible for users at any skill level.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Easily manage pull requests and collaborate on projects with team members.
• Visual History: Gain a clear view of your repository’s history and changes for better project management.
• Quick Access: After installation, you can quickly launch GitHub Desktop from the Activities menu or your application center.

Start using GitHub Desktop today to streamline your development process and make Git operations more efficient!