Linux Mint

How to Install Element Messaging Client on Linux Mint 21

In Linux, if you’re looking for an end-to-end encrypted messaging client, then Element is considered the best among users. Element is a popular, free, and secure collaboration software providing a user-friendly interface for text, calls, and video conferences. It is an open-source application that implements the Matrix protocol and is a competitive alternative to the Slack application.

How to Install Element Messaging Client on Linux Mint 21

To install Element on Linux Mint 21 system, you need to follow a few steps carefully:

Step 1: It is always recommended to update your system before installing any tool. This will refresh system packages list and upgrade them:

$ sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Run command to add required dependencies:

$ sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https wget

In the next step, install all the required packages that would be helpful to assist Element installation.

Step 3: Add the GPG key:

wget -O- https://packages.riot.im/debian/riot-im-archive-keyring.gpg | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/riot-im-archive-keyring.gpg

Step 4: In this step, you are required to import the Element repository in Linux Mint system, copy the following command to add it:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/riot-im-archive-keyring.gpg] https://packages.riot.im/debian/ default main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/riot-im.list

Step 5: Refresh your system repository again by making use of the update command:

$ sudo apt update

Step 6: After adding the key and repository successfully, now you would be able to install Element on the Linux Mint 21 system:

$ sudo apt install riot-desktop

So, the Element is installed successfully on Linux Mint 21 system. To launch it, visit All Applications in the application menu and then scroll down to get the Element icon:

Click on it to get it on the Linux Mint screen:

How to Remove Element from Linux Mint 21

To remove or uninstall Element from the Linux Mint 21 system, type the mentioned command in the terminal:

$ sudo apt autoremove riot-desktop --purge

You can also delete the installed repository through the given command:

$ sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/riot*

Conclusion

Element is one of the best end-to-end encrypted messaging clients which is based on Matrix protocol. It can create, share documents, and communicate securely. Moreover, using its interface, you can text, call, and video conference. This guide has focused on how to get the Element application on Linux Mint 21 system. It’s a step-by-step guide that needs to be done carefully.

About the author

Syeda Wardah Batool

I am a Software Engineer Graduate and Self Motivated Linux writer. I also love to read latest Linux books. Moreover, in my free time, i love to read books on Personal development.