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New PR for Managing Apps Article (#1349)
* new PR for managing apps article * managing-apps: Address some of the outstanding feedback * managing-apps: Reorganize to place GUI first & old versions last, and remove out-of-scope sections * managing-apps: Fix file names & image descriptions, remove unused images & optimize remaining ones * managing-apps: Better organize Flatpak vs deb explanations * managing-apps: Retake Repoman & CLI screenshots, add search screenshots * fix (lint): Correct sub-bullet indentation * fix (lint): Correct another sub-bullet indentation & surrounding line spacing --------- Co-authored-by: Jacob Kauffmann <[email protected]>
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---
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title: Installing, Updating, and Removing Applications
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description: >
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Quick guide to installing, updating, and removing apps on your device.
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keywords:
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- Apps
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- Install
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- Update
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- Remove
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- Delete
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facebookImage: /_social/article
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twitterImage: /_social/article
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hidden: false
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section: pop
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tableOfContents: true
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---
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## Types of Packages in Pop!_OS
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There are multiple package formats that can be used for installing applications on Pop!_OS.
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- **Flatpaks** are a modern type of package that utilize containerization and sandboxing for increased stability and security. Installing a Flatpak also installs all of its dependencies and libraries, and different Flatpak applications can use different versions of their dependencies at the same time if necessary.
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- [Flathub](https://flathub.org/) is the default source for most Flatpak applications in Pop!_OS.
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- Flatpak applications are generally more up-to-date than system (.deb) packages.
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- In Pop!_OS, Flatpak applications will only be available to the user who installed them by default.
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- **.deb files** (short for Debian files), sometimes called "system packages," are an older packaging format that forms the base of the operating system. They're installed by the `dpkg` or `apt` utilities (with `apt` also handling dependency resolution). Only one version of a dependency can usually be installed at a time with .deb files.
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- [The Ubuntu repositories](https://packages.ubuntu.com/) are the primary source of non-default .deb packages available to install in Pop!_OS and Ubuntu. (System packages installed by default are sometimes sourced from the first-party Pop!_OS repositories instead.)
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- System (.deb) packages sometimes offer older versions of applications than Flatpaks, since applications installed from the Ubuntu repositories only receive feature updates during major version upgrades of Pop!_OS.
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- Installed system (.deb) packages are available to all user accounts on the computer. For this reason, only administrators can install or update .deb packages.
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## Using the COSMIC Store
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### Installing an Application
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COSMIC includes a graphical user interface (GUI) called the COSMIC Store for easy installation and management of applications.
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1. Open the COSMIC Store by clicking the icon in the dock, or by pressing `Super` to open the launcher and then searching for “COSMIC Store”.
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![COSMIC Store icon in the Dock](/images/managing-apps/cosmic-store-icon.png)
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2. Explore apps or type the application name in the search field.
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![Search bar in the COSMIC Store](/images/managing-apps/cosmic-store-search.png)
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3. Select the system (.deb) or Flathub (Flatpak) version.
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![Selecting the app type in the COSMIC Store](/images/managing-apps/cosmic-store-select-type.png)
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### Installing an Application Not Listed in the COSMIC Store
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The COSMIC Store lists applications available in the configurated software repositories. By default, these are [Flathub](https://flathub.org), [the Ubuntu repositories](https://packages.ubuntu.com), and the first-party Pop!\_OS repositories. If an application isn't available from one of these repositories, you can use the web to search for and install it from another source instead.
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1. Search for the application download link and instructions online.
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![Pop!_OS 24.04 browser search](/images/managing-apps/browser-search-2404.png)
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2. Download the application. When given multiple options of file type, look for a 64-bit .deb or Debian/Ubuntu option.
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![Selecting the .deb type on the download webpage](/images/managing-apps/browser-select-type.png)
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3. After downloading, go to the Downloads folder and double-click the .deb file.
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![Downloaded .deb file in Pop!_OS 24.04](/images/managing-apps/downloaded-deb-file-2404.png)
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4. The COSMIC Store will open and present you with the option to install the file.
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- When installing this way, the application may install a new repository so COSMIC Store can check for updates in the future, or you may need to download updates manually the same way you downloaded the initial installer.
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![Installing a .deb file with the COSMIC Store](/images/managing-apps/cosmic-store-file-install.png)
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### Managing Repositories
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You can add, remove, and edit software repositories using Repoman. This includes .deb software repositories (sometimes called PPAs, or Personal Package Archives), and Flatpak software repositories.
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**Caution:** Third-party repositories allow users to install software that has not been validated by System76 or other trusted Pop!_OS maintainers. Security vulerabilities or other bugs could be present in third-party software. Users should take caution and only add software repositories they trust.
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1. Press `Super` to open the launcher, then search for “Repoman".
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![Searching for Repoman in the COSMIC Launcher](/images/managing-apps/repoman-launcher.png)
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2. Click on the Extra Sources tab to manage .deb repositories (PPAs), or the Flatpak tab to manage Flatpak repositories.
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![Repoman's Extra Sources page in Pop!_OS 24.04](/images/managing-apps/repoman-extra-sources-2404.png)
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#### Adding a Repository
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1. Click the `+` button in the bottom-left corner.
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![Add button in Repoman (24.04)](/images/managing-apps/repoman-add-button-2404.png)
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2. Enter the source details for the repository and click Add.
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![Adding a source in Repoman (24.04)](/images/managing-apps/repoman-adding-2404.png)
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3. After entering your password (if prompted), the repository will appear in the sources list.
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![Added source in Repoman (24.04)](/images/managing-apps/repoman-added-2404.png)
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#### Removing a Repository
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Select a repository from the list, then click on the trashcan icon to delete the repository.
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![Remove button in Repoman (24.04)](/images/managing-apps/repoman-remove-button-2404.png)
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### Updating Installed Applications
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The COSMIC Store can update any applications installed from the software repositories configured on the system.
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1. Open the COSMIC Store.
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2. Click `Updates` on the sidebar.
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3. Select `Update all` in the top-right corner.
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![Updates page & button in the COSMIC Store](/images/managing-apps/cosmic-store-updates.png)
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## Using the Terminal
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### Searching for Applications
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You can discover the package names for new applications using the respective websites for [Flathub](https://flathub.org/) and [the Ubuntu repositories](https://packages.ubuntu.com/), or you can search for applications with a command line interface. Launch the Terminal (`SUPER` + `T`), then use the commands below.
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#### Flatpaks
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Search with the following command:
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```
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flatpak search [search term]
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```
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The package name for each search result is displayed in the `Application ID` column.
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![Flatpak search results](/images/managing-apps/search-flatpak.webp)
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#### .deb (System) Packages
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Search with the following command:
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```
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apt search [search term]
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```
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The package name for each search result is displayed in green, before the `/` character.
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![apt search results](/images/managing-apps/search-apt.webp)
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### Installing and Removing Applications
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Launch the Terminal (`SUPER` + `T`) to install applications using a command line interface. The command to use depends on which package manager you're using for an app.
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#### Flatpaks
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To install an application as a Flatpak:
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```
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flatpak install --app [packagename]
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```
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Flatpak will ask which app to install if multiple apps match the package name you provided. If you omit the `--app` flag, you'll also see libraries that match the package name.
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To uninstall an application as a Flatpak:
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```
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flatpak uninstall [packagename]
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```
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#### .deb Packages
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To install an application with apt:
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```bash
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sudo apt install [packagename]
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```
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To uninstall an application with apt:
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```bash
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sudo apt autoremove --purge [packagename]
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```
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The `autoremove` command removes dependencies that are no longer needed in addition to the app itself. The `--purge` flag removes system-wide configuration (such as from the `/etc/` directory) when uninstalling the package. User-specific configuration (in the `/home/` directory) is usually retained when removing packages with apt.
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### Updating via the Terminal
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#### Updating System-wide Software (.deb)
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1. Open a terminal by pressing `Super` + `T` and type the following commands:
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```bash
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sudo apt update
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sudo apt full-upgrade
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sudo apt autoremove --purge
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```
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2. After each command, enter your password or answer `Y` as prompted.
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- When prompted for your password in the terminal, no onscreen feedback will appear while typing the password; press `Enter` after you're done typing the password.
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![Bad screenshot that needs to be replaced](/images/managing-apps/terminal-dist-upgrade.webp)
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3. If an error appears, read the error message and run any commands it suggests.
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![Bad screenshot taht needs to be replaced](/images/managing-apps/terminal-error.webp)
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#### Updating Flatpaks
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1. Open a terminal by pressing `Super` + `T` and type the following commands:
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```bash
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flatpak update
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flatpak uninstall --unused
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```
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## Using the Pop!_Shop (for Pop!_OS 22.04 and below)
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### Installing an Application
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Pop!_OS 22.04 and below include the Pop!_Shop, which looks different from the COSMIC Store but performs most of the same functions.
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1. Open the Pop! Shop by clicking the rocket ship icon in the dock, or press SUPER and search for “pop shop”.
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![Pop!_Shop icon in the dock](/images/managing-apps/pop-shop-icon.png)
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2. Explore apps in categories, or type the application name in the search field.
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![Pop!_Shop search bar](/images/managing-apps/pop-shop-search.png)
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3. Select the Pop!_OS/Ubuntu (.deb) or flathub (Flatpak) version.
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![Selecting the app type in the Pop!_Shop](/images/managing-apps/pop-shop-select-type.png)
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4. Click **Install**.
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### Installing an Application Not Listed in the Pop!_Shop
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The Pop!_Shop lists applications available in the configurated software repositories. By default, these are [Flathub](https://flathub.org), [the Ubuntu repositories](https://packages.ubuntu.com), and the first-party Pop!\_OS repositories. If an application isn't available from one of these repositories, you can use the web to search for and install it from another source instead.
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1. Search for the application download link and instructions online.
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![Pop!_OS 22.04 browser search](/images/managing-apps/browser-search-2204.png)
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2. Download the application. When given multiple options of file type, look for a 64-bit .deb or Debian/Ubuntu option.
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![Selecting the .deb type on the download webpage](/images/managing-apps/browser-select-type.png)
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3. After downloading, go to the Downloads folder and double-click the .deb file.
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![Downloaded .deb file in Pop!_OS 22.04](/images/managing-apps/downloaded-deb-file-2204.png)
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4. Open the file in Eddy, the default hanlder for .deb files in older versions of Pop!_OS.
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![Opening a .deb file with Eddy in Pop!_OS 22.04](/images/managing-apps/eddy-open-with.png)
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5. Click Install, then enter your password if prompted.
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![Installing a package with Eddy in Pop!_OS 22.04](/images/managing-apps/eddy-install.png)
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### Managing Repositories
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You can add, remove, and edit software repositories using Repoman. This includes .deb software repositories (sometimes called PPAs, or Personal Package Archives), and Flatpak software repositories.
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**Caution:** Third-party repositories allow users to install software that has not been validated by System76 or other trusted Pop!_OS maintainers. Security vulerabilities or other bugs could be present in third-party software. Users should take caution and only add software repositories they trust.
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1. Access Repoman by launching the Pop!_Shop, then clicking the `System Software Sources` option in the top-right menu or pressing the `Ctrl` + `S` keyboard shortcut in the Pop!_Shop.
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![Pop!_Shop System Software Sources menu item](/images/managing-apps/pop-shop-sources.png)
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2. Click on the Extra Sources tab to manage .deb repositories (PPAs), or the Flatpak tab to manage Flatpak repositories.
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![Repoman's Extra Sources page in Pop!_OS 22.04](/images/managing-apps/repoman-extra-sources-2204.png)
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#### Adding a Repository
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1. Click the `+` button in the bottom-left corner.
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![Add button in Repoman (22.04)](/images/managing-apps/repoman-add-button-2204.png)
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2. Enter the source details for the repository and click Add.
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![Adding a source in Repoman (22.04)](/images/managing-apps/repoman-adding-2204.png)
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3. After entering your password (if prompted), the repository will appear in the sources list.
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![Added source in Repoman (22.04)](/images/managing-apps/repoman-added-2204.png)
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#### Removing a Repository
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Select a repository from the list, then click on the trashcan icon to delete the repository.
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![Remove button in Repoman (22.04)](/images/managing-apps/repoman-remove-button-2204.png)
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### Updating Installed Applications
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The Pop!_Shop can update any applications installed from the software repositories configured on the system.
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1. Open the Pop!_Shop.
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2. Click `Updates & Installed Software` in the top-right menu, or press the `Ctrl` + `I` keyboard shortcut in the Pop!_Shop.
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![Pop!_Shop Updates & Installed Software menu button](/images/managing-apps/pop-shop-updates-menu.png)
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3. Select `Update All`.
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![Updates page & button in the Pop!_Shop](/images/managing-apps/pop-shop-updates-page.png)
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