Slack is the team chat app many workplaces use for channels, huddles, file sharing, and integrations. On Ubuntu you want the desktop client so notifications and calls stay outside the browser—but Slack is proprietary and not in Ubuntu’s default repositories. You cannot run sudo apt install slack and get the real app.
This guide covers three official paths on Ubuntu 22.04–25.04: Slack’s Packagecloud APT repository (best for ongoing apt upgrade), the official .deb download from Slack for Linux, and the Snap from Snapcraft (what OMG! Ubuntu highlights for App Center installs). I ran these on Ubuntu 25.04 and kept real terminal output below.
Tested on: Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin); kernel 6.14.0-37-generic; amd64; Slack 4.50.143.
slack-desktop (apt/.deb) or the slack Snap—not both. They install separate binaries and store data in different paths.
.deb on the Linux download page. Use the web app on unsupported hardware.
Prerequisites
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, or newer (25.04 tested)—see check Ubuntu version.
- amd64 PC or laptop (Slack does not ship native ARM desktop packages).
- sudo for installs.
- wget or cURL for downloads.
- A Slack account and workspace invite or URL (
yourteam.slack.com). - ~150 MB disk for the package plus cache after first launch.
Choose an install method
| Method | Best for | Jump to |
|---|---|---|
| Slack APT repository (Packagecloud) | Most users who want apt upgrade to refresh Slack |
Method 1 |
Official .deb download |
One-shot install, air-gapped download-then-install, or when you want the file from slack.com | Method 2 |
Snap (sudo snap install slack) |
Ubuntu Software / App Center users; automatic Snap refreshes | Method 3 |
LinuxCapable’s Slack guide aligns with this order: Packagecloud APT first, .deb helper second, Snap third. There is no Launchpad PPA—only Slack’s own hosting.
Method 1: Install Slack from Slack APT repository (recommended)
Slack publishes slack-desktop through Packagecloud. The suite name jessie is intentional (universal Debian suite, not your Ubuntu codename).
Install helper tools:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y wget gpg ca-certificatesAdd the signed keyring and DEB822 source:
sudo install -m 0755 -d /usr/share/keyrings
wget -qO- https://packagecloud.io/slacktechnologies/slack/gpgkey \
| gpg --dearmor \
| sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/slack-archive-keyring.gpg > /dev/null
printf '%s\n' \
'Types: deb' \
'URIs: https://packagecloud.io/slacktechnologies/slack/debian/' \
'Suites: jessie' \
'Components: main' \
'Architectures: amd64' \
'Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/slack-archive-keyring.gpg' \
| sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/slack.sources > /dev/nullConfirm the file:
cat /etc/apt/sources.list.d/slack.sourcesTypes: deb
URIs: https://packagecloud.io/slacktechnologies/slack/debian/
Suites: jessie
Components: main
Architectures: amd64
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/slack-archive-keyring.gpgRefresh and install:
sudo apt update
apt-cache policy slack-desktop
sudo apt install -y slack-desktopWhen Packagecloud is reachable, apt-cache policy shows a 500 line from packagecloud.io with a candidate version (for example 4.50.143). On a restrictive network you may see an SSL warning during apt update; in that case use Method 2 and retry the repo later.
After install:
dpkg -l slack-desktop | grep '^ii'
command -v slack
slack --versionii slack-desktop 4.50.143 amd64 Slack Desktop
/usr/bin/slack
4.50.143Method 2: Install Slack from the official .deb
Slack for Linux offers Download .DEB app (version 4.50.143 at the time of this rewrite). This matches what older guides pinned to fixed URLs—except the version number changes with each release.
Resolve the current download URL
Slack’s download instruction page exposes the latest amd64 URL:
curl -sL 'https://slack.com/downloads/instructions/linux?build=deb&ddl=1' \
| grep -oE 'https://downloads\.slack-edge\.com/desktop-releases/linux/x64/[0-9.]+/slack-desktop-[0-9.]+-amd64\.deb' \
| head -1On Ubuntu 25.04 that returned:
https://downloads.slack-edge.com/desktop-releases/linux/x64/4.50.143/slack-desktop-4.50.143-amd64.debDownload and install
cd ~/Downloads
wget -O slack-desktop-4.50.143-amd64.deb \
'https://downloads.slack-edge.com/desktop-releases/linux/x64/4.50.143/slack-desktop-4.50.143-amd64.deb'
ls -lh slack-desktop-4.50.143-amd64.deb-rw-rw-r-- 1 user user 90M ... slack-desktop-4.50.143-amd64.debInstall with apt so dependencies resolve automatically:
sudo apt install -y ./slack-desktop-4.50.143-amd64.debThe tail of the install on Ubuntu 25.04:
The following NEW packages will be installed:
slack-desktop
Get:1 .../slack-desktop-4.50.143-amd64.deb slack-desktop amd64 4.50.143 [93.4 MB]
Unpacking slack-desktop (4.50.143) ...
Setting up slack-desktop (4.50.143) ...The .deb also registers /etc/apt/sources.list.d/slack.sources (same Packagecloud source as Method 1), so later upgrades can use sudo apt install --only-upgrade slack-desktop once apt update succeeds.
curl | grep one-liner above always tracks the current build.
Method 3: Install Slack via Snap
Ubuntu Desktop includes Snap support. The Slack snap is published by the verified Slack** account—4.50.143 on latest/stable at the time of testing.
GUI (Ubuntu Software / App Center)
- Open Ubuntu Software or App Center.
- Search Slack.
- Click Install and enter your password.
OMG! Ubuntu documents this path for users who prefer the graphical store.
Terminal
sudo snap install slackslack 4.50.143 from Slack** installedVerify:
snap list slackName Version Rev Tracking Publisher Notes
slack 4.50.143 253 latest/stable slack** -Launch with:
snap run slackOr pick Slack from Activities.
Launch Slack and sign in
| Install type | Launch command |
|---|---|
slack-desktop (apt / .deb) |
slack |
| Snap | snap run slack |
First launch opens the sign-in window:
- Enter your workspace URL (
yourteam.slack.com) or email. - Complete login in the app or browser if your org uses SSO.
- Allow notifications when prompted so mentions reach the desktop.
If the menu icon does nothing, run the matching terminal command above and read any error printed to the console.
Update Slack
Pick the command that matches how you installed:
APT repository or .deb with slack.sources:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --only-upgrade slack-desktop
slack --versionSnap:
sudo snap refresh slackSnaps also refresh automatically in the background; snap refresh forces an immediate check.
Manual .deb only (no repo file): download the newest .deb from Slack and run sudo apt install -y ./slack-desktop-*.deb again.
Uninstall Slack
Follow the path that matches your install. See how to remove software on Ubuntu for broader cleanup patterns.
Native slack-desktop (Method 1 or 2)
sudo apt purge -y slack-desktop
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/slack.sources /etc/apt/sources.list.d/slack.list
sudo rm -f /usr/share/keyrings/slack-archive-keyring.gpg
sudo apt update
sudo apt autoremove -ySnap (Method 3)
sudo snap remove --purge slack
snap list slack 2>/dev/null || echo "Slack snap not installed"Optional: remove local user data
Only when you want a full reset (deletes saved workspace sessions):
rm -rf ~/.config/Slack ~/.cache/Slack ~/.local/share/Slack ~/snap/slackTroubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
E: Unable to locate package slack |
Wrong package name | Install slack-desktop or snap install slack |
apt update SSL error on Packagecloud |
Proxy, firewall, or TLS inspection | Use Method 2 .deb; fix corporate CA trust; retry repo later |
| Two Slack icons / odd updates | Both .deb and Snap installed |
Remove one package completely |
slack: command not found after Snap |
/snap/bin not in PATH |
snap run slack |
| Blank window at launch | GPU/Electron issue | Update system packages; try Snap vs .deb; launch from terminal for logs |
| Wrong architecture | arm64 system | Use Slack web — no official ARM desktop build |
References
- Slack — Download for Linux
- Slack on Snapcraft
- OMG! Ubuntu — Install Slack
- LinuxCapable — Install Slack on Ubuntu
- apt command in Linux
- wget command in Linux
Summary
Install Slack on Ubuntu with Slack’s own packages—not sudo apt install slack from Ubuntu mirrors. Method 1 (Packagecloud APT + slack-desktop) is the best default when apt update can reach Slack’s repo. Method 2 (official .deb from slack.com/downloads/linux) worked end-to-end in testing on 4.50.143 and registers the same apt source for later upgrades. Method 3 (sudo snap install slack) suits App Center users and auto-refresh workflows.
Pick one method, launch with slack or snap run slack, sign in with your workspace URL, and upgrade through apt or snap refresh—not both package types at once.
