Ubuntu 26.04 software installation and maintenance best practices: take WeChat as an example
A set of reusable Linux desktop software management methodology from stepping on the pit to perfect landing
System: Ubuntu 26.04 (Resolute) + Gnome 50
write in front
Many people think it is very tossing to install WeChat on Linux: the official one .deb The package is out of the sandbox, and a bunch of outdated third-party packages have been found in the app store, and Flatpak is always encountering network or D-Bus problems. In fact, as long as you understand Software Source Management + Graphics + Secure Isolation These things can not only be successfully installed on WeChat, but also know what other software will know.
This article records the whole process of installing WeChat on Ubuntu 26.04 from scratch, with 11 real screenshots and the solution to each step on the pit. It will talk about:
- Why say Flatpak + domestic mirror It is a very worry-free choice for Linux desktop graphics software
- How to check if the software cannot be found in the application center and is stuck in ‘preparing…’
- How to set up a set for yourself Continue to be easy to use, relatively safe, and not tossed software maintenance habits
1. The first attempt: download the .deb package on the official website (traditional ideas)
1.1 Download the official installation package
Open WeChat Linux official website, you can see the latest version 4.1.1, providing .deb,.rpm and AppImage three formats.
1.2 Install using the Application Center
Download wechatlinux_x86_64.deb After that, right-click the file and select ‘Open with Application Center’.
However, the application center pops up an error window:
Cause analysis: Ubuntu 26.04 built-in application center (Snap based) is processing local .deb There is a stability problem during the file, especially the new version of the system. This is not an exception.
Summary: Relying on a single graphics tool to handle all installation tasks, it is easy to encounter unknown errors. We need a more reliable solution.
After about a day, I plan to try it again, and I find that I will not report an error when it is opened. as shown in Figure 12
2. Application Center Search: Exposure to Bigger Problems
Abandon the installation local .deb After that, I tried to search ‘WeChat’ directly in the application center. Disappointing results:
as shown in Figure 4: Search for ‘WeChat’, it appears electronic-wechat,wechat-web-devtools Wait for unofficial packages.
as shown in Figure 5: The same is true for searching for ‘WeChat’.
as shown in Figure 6: Change the filter condition to ‘Debian package’, and the result is empty.
Lesson: The quality of the software source with its own application center is uneven, and the Flatpak warehouse is not included by default.An excellent software store should be able to aggregate multiple sources (APT, SNAP, Flatpak) and provide a clear source identification.
3. Move to Flatpak: Build a Reliable Software Source
3.1 Why choose Flatpak?
- Sandbox isolation: WeChat runs in an independent environment, even if there are loopholes, it will not affect the system.
- Timely update: The WeChat version on Flathub is almost synchronized with the official (currently 4.1.1.4).
- cross-distribution version: The same installation method is suitable for Fedora, Debian, etc.
3.2 Installing the Flatpak and Gnome Software plugins
Open the terminal and execute:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install flatpak gnome-software-plugin-flatpak
Explanation:gnome-software-plugin-flatpak It is a key plugin that enables GNOME Software to display the Flatpak app.
3.3 Add a Flathub repository (and resolve D-Bus errors)
The first time I executed the add command, I got a weird error:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
# 错误： Message recipient disconnected from message bus without replying
Solution:Execute the same command again. Usually the second time will be successful. The reason is that the D-Bus environment of the user session may not be fully initialized, you can try again.
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
flatpak remotes # 验证，应看到 flathub
4. Speed optimization: configure domestic mirrors (China Science and Technology University source)
The official Flathub server is abroad, and the download speed is extremely slow. After switching to the domestic image, the speed soars from tens of KB/s to 10+ MB/s.
sudo flatpak remote-modify flathub --url=https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/flathub
Verify the modification:
flatpak remotes --show-details | grep flathub
Output example:Flathub Flathubhttps://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/flathub/...
best practice: For any Linux distribution,Configure the domestic image source for the first time(Including system source and FlatPak source) can save 90% of the waiting time.
as shown in Figure 7: Search WeChat in the software, and the browsing page only shows those two outdated items.
as shown in Figure 8: Search for ‘WeChat’ again, there is an extra wechat s item
As shown9: Click ‘WeChat’ and find that it is developed by Tencent and comes from Flathub
5. Graphical interface installation: what should I do if I am stuck in ‘preparing…’?
5.1 Restart Gnome Software and clear the cache
killall gnome-software 2>/dev/null
rm -rf ~/.cache/gnome-software
gnome-software &
After the terminal executes the above command, Gnome Software reopens, searching for ‘WeChat’ and the official version from Flathub (the icon is green bubbles, the source is marked ‘Flathub’).
As shown in Figure 10: click Installation button, the progress bar shows ‘preparing…’.
5.2 The terminal flashes a lot of warnings, but the installation process is stuck
In the terminal, I see the output as follows:
07:06:27:949 Gs updates-shell: failed to get upgrades: no plugin could handle listing distro upgrades
07:13:40:757 flatpak 警告：在远程仓库 flathub 中没有引用“runtime/org.gtk.Gtk3theme.Yaru/x86_64/3.22”
...
Analysis:
Failed to get upgradesdue to lack ofgnome-software-plugin-apt, but this plugin is no longer available in Ubuntu 26.04,The warning is harmless.- Flatpak’s ‘no reference’ warnings are because the local cache is out of sync with the remote repository and does not affect the installation.
But,The progress bar of the graphical interface is stuck at 99% for 10 minutes. This means that GNOME Software hangs during the download or decompression phase.
However, you can ignore it. It is a high probability that it will take so long for the first time, and the final WeChat installation is also successful.
5.3 Open wechatlinux_x86_64.deb with software installation
When some specific packages cannot be searched in the software, the deb file must be downloaded. At this point you can right-click – open method – software installation. as shown in Figure 13
It is recommended to follow up whether it is online or local, and it is managed through software installation. This can be managed uniformly. Figure 14
6. Verification: WeChat successfully runs
After the installation is complete, find the ‘WeChat’ icon in the application menu and click Start. The first boot may be slightly slower (sandbox initialization), and the interface runs perfectly after logging in.
as shown in Figure 11: Screenshots of the main interface of WeChat, the chat records are displayed normally, and functions such as file transfer and applet are available.
If the interface is in English, click the menu in the lower left corner after logging in → settings → general → Language → select Simplified Chinese, restart WeChat.
Seven, summary: a set of reusable software installation and maintenance best practices
Through this experience, I have concluded the following 5 core guidelines, for any Linux distribution:
| Criterion | Explanation | Corresponding to this article |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prioritize the sandboxing package format | Flatpak/Snap provides secure isolation and is recommended for closed-source or networked applications. | Choose Flatpak version of WeChat instead of .deb |
| 2. Configure the domestic mirror source | The system source (APT, the default is domestic) and Flatpak sources must be switched to China, otherwise the speed is unbearable. | System source use cn.archive.ubuntu.com, Flatpak for China University of Science and Technology Source |
| 3. Use the aggregated software store | GNOME Software supports Flatpak + Snap + Apt, which is better than Ubuntu’s own store. | Installation gnome-software-plugin-flatpak, Manage with GNOME Software |
| 4. Understand the ‘harmless error’ | many warnings (such as Failed to get upgrades) does not affect the actual use, and does not need to pay too much attention. | Ignore the yellow warning in the terminal and focus on the core operation |
Attachment: Quick check of commonly used flatpak commands
# 搜索应用（命令行）
flatpak search wechat
# 安装
flatpak install flathub com.tencent.WeChat
# 运行
flatpak run com.tencent.WeChat
# 更新所有 Flatpak 应用
flatpak update
# 卸载
flatpak uninstall com.tencent.WeChat
# 查看已安装列表
flatpak list
Postscript
In addition to helping you install WeChat, this blog also chatted about some common ideas of Linux desktop software management: such as why there are multiple package formats coexisting, how to use domestic mirrors to accelerate download, graphical interface and command line how to complement each other. If you encounter similar software problems in the future, you might as well try these methods, you may find that it is not so difficult. Hope this record can help you a little bit.
