It ’s always a pain to uninstall an app on Linux distros . The most of import reason being , there are multiple installation method acting . you’re able to install an app from the Apt secretary or the Snap depository . you could also practice the universal packaging method like Flatpak or AppImage . To top all of these , you may also sideload , compile , and install covering . These dozens of ways to instal an app lead to multiple way of uninstalling them as well . So , covering all of these here ’s a list of methods explaining how to uninstall an app in Ubuntu .
How to Uninstall An Application In Ubuntu
Generally , there are 2 ways to uninstall an app in Ubuntu – Command - Line or GUI . In shell you are not comfortable with the terminal , leap over to the GUI sectionwhich is honestly the easiest way to uninstall an app on Ubuntu . Let ’s start with the control - line way first .
Command-Line
Command - Line , basically , means using the terminus to uninstall an app . However , to do that , we need more information . First , the secretary you have used to set up the app and second , the packet name . Now , there are 3 most popular depository on Ubuntu that you might have used .
Now , in case you do n’t do it what monument was used to instal the app , there ’s no exclusive command to work out that out . However , you could always search the individual repository and find out the package name . Let ’s start with the clever depository first .
1 . Apt
for uninstall an app , we would first expect the package name . To get the bundle name , we need to search the installed list of the apt repository .
Let ’s assume we ’re searching for an software name Chromium and I would let my search word be “ chrom * ” . So , this style I am covering all the packages whose name starts with “ chrome ” . habituate the following program line to seek the listing .
Here , the second search result is Chromium which is the software I am looking for . But the status of the software is “ un ” . This signify it ’s not establish via the apt repository . So , roughly , ii means instal , un means obscure and in means not install .
The introductory command to uninstall an app downloaded from the apt repository is as follows . Since we can not find chromium in the given depositary , let ’s regard the software package Vim that we intend to uninstall .
Now , the above command is fairly basic and only removes the app . It does n’t affect any of the configuration files and other dependence installed .
For case , suppose a wallpaper app . Now , this wallpaper app would downloads figure of speech to a directory from the Internet to apply as your wallpaper . These directory can be considered as contour files . to boot , it would necessitate low utility to scrape the net and download the files . These utilities can be deal as dependance .
Now , if I just withdraw the wallpaper app , all those conformation files and colony would stay untouched . Hence , to clear all of these you could use the following command .
In case you need to keep the configuration files , you may remove the purge pick from the above instruction .
2 . Snap
In case your app does n’t exist in the apt monument , chances are you might have put in it via snap . Again , similar to the apt repository , to uninstall the app from the snap , we would need the app program computer software name . Below is the mastery to search the package name in the snap monument .
Here , you could see there ’s a single event for chromium . Unlike given lookup , the snap search only shows the inclination of packages installed on the system . In my case , I have set up chromium using snap and it shows up via the mastery . The package name of the covering is “ chromium ” . Similar to Apt , the simple command to remove a Snap software system is as follows .
Unlike apposite , snap by nonpayment removes all the user data , configuration files , and dependance . Though it create a snapshot of these and maintain it for 31 days . In casing you want to overlook this snap , use the following control .
Read:7 Best Ubuntu dynamical Wallpaper Apps
3 . Flatpak
In case both of the above - mentioned repositories do n’t contain your applications programme ’s package name , chances are it might be installed via flatpak . Having said that , there are rarified chances that you might be using Flatpak on Ubuntu or else of Snap and Apt .
anyhow , to seek the flatpak repository , utilise the undermentioned command . Again , we are considering the same practical program called Chromium .
Here , the search resolution is empty . This think I have n’t deploy the app via Flatpak . In case you get your think covering below is the command to uninstall the applications programme via Flatpak . For this example , we are considering the Spotify program .
Flatpak transfer all the conformation files and user data as well . But , it still does n’t clear unused packages and dependence . To do that , use the undermentioned command .
GUI
Ubuntu Software Center
The Ubuntu Software Center support both the apt and the snap deposit . Hence , Ubuntu Software is the primal most important place wherein you could find all the package irrespective of the repositories . To view your installed apps , start the Ubuntu Software practical program , andswitch to the “ set up ” tab .
you could browse through the list and press the Remove button next to it to uninstall the app .
Third-Party Installation
In case the practical program does n’t show up in any of the above - note methods , you might have installed it from GitHub or any third - party source . These apps might have been compile and sideloaded via the terminal or instal via a racing shell book . In all these cases , you are at the mercy of the app developer to uninstall it . bring down the GitHub Wiki of the app or the website and you should find the uninstall command at the bottom .
Closing Words
Also Read : What ’s new In Ubuntu 20.04 ( rattling Focal Fossa )