How To Install Brave Browser on Fedora 43

Brave Browser has emerged as one of the most privacy-focused web browsers available today, offering users a seamless browsing experience without intrusive advertisements or tracking scripts. Built on the Chromium engine, Brave combines speed, security, and privacy protection in a single package that works exceptionally well on Linux distributions like Fedora 43. This comprehensive guide walks you through multiple installation methods for Brave Browser on Fedora 43, ensuring you can choose the approach that best fits your system configuration and preferences.

Whether you’re a seasoned Linux administrator or a newcomer to the Fedora ecosystem, installing Brave is straightforward when you follow the proper steps. Fedora 43 introduces dnf5 as the default package manager, which brings some syntax changes compared to previous versions. This tutorial covers the official DNF repository method, Snap package installation, and special instructions for Fedora Atomic desktop variants like Silverblue and Kinoite.

What is Brave Browser?

Brave Browser is an open-source, Chromium-based web browser developed with privacy and performance at its core. Unlike traditional browsers that rely on user data collection and advertising revenue, Brave takes a fundamentally different approach by blocking trackers and advertisements by default. This built-in protection means faster page loading times, reduced bandwidth consumption, and enhanced privacy without installing additional extensions.

The browser comes equipped with several standout features. Brave Shields actively blocks third-party ads, trackers, cookies, and fingerprinting attempts. HTTPS Everywhere is enabled automatically, upgrading connections to secure protocols whenever possible. For users interested in supporting content creators, Brave Rewards offers an optional attention-based system that allows anonymous cryptocurrency contributions to favorite websites and publishers.

Since Brave is built on Chromium, it maintains full compatibility with Chrome extensions from the Web Store. Users can install their favorite extensions without compatibility issues. The browser supports both AMD/Intel 64-bit and ARM64 architectures, making it suitable for a wide range of Fedora 43 installations. Memory usage is optimized compared to standard Chrome, and the interface remains clean and familiar to anyone who has used modern web browsers.

Prerequisites Before Installation

Before beginning the installation process, verify that your Fedora 43 system meets the necessary requirements. You’ll need administrative access through sudo privileges to install packages and modify system configurations. An active internet connection is essential for downloading the browser packages and repository files.

Open a terminal application to execute the installation commands. Fedora 43 users can access the terminal through the Activities overview or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on most desktop environments. Basic familiarity with command-line operations will help, though this guide provides detailed explanations for each step.

Check your system architecture by running uname -m in the terminal. The output should show x86_64 for standard Intel/AMD processors or aarch64 for ARM-based systems. Ensure your Fedora 43 installation is current by running system updates before proceeding with the browser installation.

Method 1: Installing Brave Using DNF (Official Repository) – Recommended

The DNF repository method is the recommended approach for installing Brave Browser on Fedora 43. This method integrates Brave into your system’s package management, enabling automatic updates alongside regular system maintenance. The installation process involves adding Brave’s official repository, importing security keys, and installing the browser package through DNF.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Start by updating your existing system packages to ensure compatibility and security. Open your terminal and execute:

sudo dnf update

This command refreshes the package database and upgrades installed packages to their latest versions. The process may take several minutes depending on how many packages require updates. Enter your sudo password when prompted. Type ‘y’ and press Enter to confirm package installations if the system asks for approval.

Keeping your system updated prevents potential conflicts between package versions and ensures you have the latest security patches installed before adding new software repositories.

Step 2: Install DNF Plugins Core

The dnf-plugins-core package provides essential utilities for repository management on Fedora systems. Install it using:

sudo dnf install dnf-plugins-core

This package includes the config-manager command that simplifies adding and managing third-party repositories. If you already have this package installed from previous repository additions, the system will notify you and skip reinstallation. The installation completes quickly since the package is relatively small.

Step 3: Add Brave Browser Repository (Fedora 43 with dnf5)

Fedora 43 uses dnf5 as its default package manager, which introduces new command syntax for repository management. Add the Brave Browser repository with the following command:

sudo dnf config-manager addrepo --from-repofile=https://brave-browser-rpm-release.s3.brave.com/brave-browser.repo

This command differs from older Fedora versions that used --add-repo syntax. The addrepo --from-repofile structure is specific to dnf5 and directly downloads the repository configuration file to your system’s /etc/yum.repos.d/ directory.

The repository file contains information about package locations, GPG key verification settings, and update channel configurations. When successful, the command completes without displaying output. Verify the repository was added by checking the repository list:

dnf repolist | grep brave

You should see the brave-browser repository listed as enabled.

Step 4: Import GPG Key

Security is paramount when adding third-party repositories. Import Brave’s official GPG key to verify package authenticity:

sudo rpm --import https://brave-browser-rpm-release.s3.brave.com/brave-core.asc

GPG key verification ensures that packages downloaded from the Brave repository are genuine and haven’t been tampered with during transmission. This cryptographic verification protects against malicious package substitution attacks. The command executes silently without output when successful.

Step 5: Install Brave Browser

With the repository configured and security key imported, install Brave Browser:

sudo dnf install brave-browser

DNF retrieves package information from the Brave repository and calculates dependencies. The system displays a list of packages to be installed, including Brave and any required libraries. The total download size is approximately 96 MB.

Review the package list and type ‘y’ to confirm installation. The download and installation process takes a few minutes depending on your internet connection speed. DNF shows progress indicators for each package being downloaded and installed. When complete, the terminal returns to the command prompt.

Step 6: Launch Brave Browser

Launch Brave from your application menu by searching for “Brave” in the Activities overview or application launcher. Alternatively, start Brave from the terminal using:

brave-browser

Some systems may require the full stable channel name:

brave-browser-stable

The first launch presents a welcome screen where you can configure initial settings. Brave asks whether you’d like to import bookmarks and settings from existing browsers, set Brave as your default browser, and configure Brave Shields and Rewards preferences.

Method 2: Installing Brave Using Snap

Snap packages provide an alternative installation method with containerized application delivery. While not the primary recommendation for Fedora, Snap installation offers benefits like simplified dependency management and automatic background updates.

Step 1: Install Snapd on Fedora 43

Fedora repositories include the Snap daemon (snapd). Install it with:

sudo dnf install snapd

After installation completes, create a symbolic link to enable classic snap support:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

This symbolic link allows Snap packages to function properly on Fedora systems. Log out and back in, or restart your computer for the changes to take full effect. The Snap daemon needs this refresh to initialize properly.

Step 2: Install Brave via Snap

Once snapd is running, install Brave Browser:

sudo snap install brave

The Snap package manager downloads and installs Brave along with all dependencies in a sandboxed environment. Snap installations are self-contained, which means they don’t integrate as deeply with system package management as DNF installations.

Step 3: Launch Brave from Snap

Find Brave in your application menu or launch it from the terminal. Snap-installed applications sometimes have slightly longer startup times on first run due to the containerization layer. Updates for Snap-installed Brave happen automatically in the background through the Snap refresh mechanism.

Consider the DNF method if you prefer tighter system integration and faster startup times. Choose Snap if you value the sandboxing security model and automatic update handling.

Method 3: Installing Brave on Fedora Atomic Desktops (Kinoite, Silverblue)

Fedora Atomic desktop variants like Silverblue, Kinoite, and other immutable editions require a different installation approach. These systems use rpm-ostree for package management instead of traditional DNF.

Download the Brave repository configuration directly to the system repository directory:

run0 curl -fsSLo /etc/yum.repos.d/brave-browser.repo https://brave-browser-rpm-release.s3.brave.com/brave-browser.repo

Note that Fedora Atomic editions use run0 instead of sudo for privilege escalation. Install Brave using rpm-ostree:

run0 rpm-ostree install brave-browser

The rpm-ostree system stages the installation for the next boot. Reboot your computer to complete the installation:

systemctl reboot

After rebooting, the new system image includes Brave Browser fully integrated into your Atomic desktop environment. This layered approach maintains the integrity and rollback capabilities that make Atomic desktops attractive for stability-focused users.

Installing Different Brave Channels

Brave offers multiple release channels for users who want bleeding-edge features or prefer to help test upcoming releases.

Brave Beta Installation

The Beta channel provides early access to features before they reach the stable release. Install Brave Beta by adding its dedicated repository:

sudo dnf config-manager addrepo --from-repofile=https://brave-browser-rpm-beta.s3.brave.com/brave-browser-beta.repo

Then install the beta package:

sudo dnf install brave-browser-beta

Beta versions can run alongside the stable release, allowing you to test new features while maintaining a stable browser for daily use.

Brave Nightly Installation

Nightly builds contain the absolute latest code changes and features. These builds update daily and may contain bugs or unstable behavior. Install Brave Nightly using the nightly repository URL and package name following the same pattern as Beta installation.

Nightly versions are recommended primarily for developers, testers, and users who want to contribute bug reports to improve Brave development. Most users should stick with the stable release for reliable daily browsing.

Post-Installation Configuration

After successfully installing Brave, take time to configure the browser according to your preferences. Set Brave as your default browser through Fedora’s Settings application under Default Applications, or use the prompt that appears when first launching Brave.

The initial setup wizard guides you through importing bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history from other browsers like Firefox, Chrome, or Edge. This import process simplifies the transition to Brave without losing your existing data.

Configure Brave Shields by clicking the lion icon in the address bar. Shields control how aggressively Brave blocks trackers, ads, and scripts. Adjust settings per-site or globally based on your privacy preferences and website compatibility needs.

Brave Rewards presents an optional way to support content creators through privacy-respecting advertisements and attention-based contributions. Enable or disable this feature in the Rewards settings panel. The system uses Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) and maintains user anonymity throughout the process.

Privacy settings deserve attention during initial configuration. Review options for cookie handling, WebRTC IP leak protection, fingerprinting defenses, and search engine selection. Brave defaults to privacy-focused settings, but customization ensures the browser matches your specific security requirements.

Install extensions from the Chrome Web Store to add functionality. Brave’s Chromium foundation ensures compatibility with the vast extension ecosystem. Remember that some extensions may duplicate Brave’s built-in features, so review whether an extension is necessary before installation.

Verifying Installation

Confirm your Brave installation succeeded by checking the installed version:

brave-browser --version

This command outputs the Brave version number and build information. Verify that the repository is active and properly configured:

dnf repolist | grep brave

The brave-browser repository should appear as enabled in the output. Launch the browser and navigate to brave://version in the address bar to see detailed build information, including the Chromium version, user agent, and compilation flags.

Test basic functionality by visiting several websites to ensure pages load correctly, Shields block advertisements and trackers as expected, and extensions function properly. Check that hardware acceleration works if needed for video playback by examining brave://gpu for graphics rendering information.

Updating Brave Browser

Regular updates keep Brave secure and feature-complete. Since you installed Brave through a DNF repository, system updates automatically include Brave updates:

sudo dnf upgrade

Run this command regularly as part of normal system maintenance. Brave also checks for updates internally and displays notifications when new versions are available. Access update information through the Brave menu under Help > About Brave.

The browser downloads updates in the background and prompts for a restart to apply them. Most updates install quickly without requiring full system reboots. Security updates receive priority and should be applied promptly to protect against emerging threats.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue 1: DNF5 Syntax Errors on Fedora 43

Users upgrading from earlier Fedora versions may encounter errors when using old repository addition syntax. The error “unknown argument: –add-repo” indicates you’re using pre-dnf5 syntax. Replace --add-repo with addrepo --from-repofile in your commands.

Correct syntax for Fedora 43:

sudo dnf config-manager addrepo --from-repofile=URL

This change reflects dnf5’s restructured command interface. Update any saved documentation or scripts to reflect the new syntax.

Issue 2: GPG Key Import Failures

Network connectivity issues or temporary server problems can cause GPG key import failures. Verify your internet connection and retry the import command. If problems persist, download the key file manually and import it locally:

curl -fsSL https://brave-browser-rpm-release.s3.brave.com/brave-core.asc -o brave-core.asc
sudo rpm --import brave-core.asc

Check that the key imported successfully by listing installed keys with rpm -q gpg-pubkey.

Issue 3: Repository Not Found

If DNF cannot locate the Brave repository, verify the repository file exists in /etc/yum.repos.d/:

ls /etc/yum.repos.d/ | grep brave

The file brave-browser.repo should appear. If missing, manually create it with the correct repository configuration. Ensure the repository is enabled by examining the file contents and confirming enabled=1 appears in the configuration.

Issue 4: Brave Won’t Launch

Launch failures often stem from missing dependencies or graphics driver issues. Check for error messages when launching from the terminal. Missing library errors indicate incomplete installations—resolve them by running sudo dnf install brave-browser again to repair dependencies.

Graphics-related crashes may require updating video drivers or disabling hardware acceleration in Brave’s settings. Launch Brave with software rendering using the --disable-gpu flag if hardware acceleration causes problems.

Uninstalling Brave Browser

Removing Brave Installed via DNF

Uninstall Brave Browser completely by removing the package and repository:

sudo dnf remove brave-browser

Delete the repository configuration:

sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/brave-browser.repo

Remove user configuration files and browsing data from your home directory:

rm -rf ~/.config/BraveSoftware

This cleanup ensures complete removal of Brave from your system.

Removing Brave Installed via Snap

For Snap installations, remove Brave with:

sudo snap remove brave

Snap automatically handles configuration file cleanup. Add the --purge flag to remove all user data:

sudo snap remove --purge brave

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Brave. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Brave Browser on Fedora 43 Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Brave browser website.