How To Install Sober Roblox on Linux Mint 22

Gaming on Linux has evolved dramatically over the past few years, and playing Roblox is no exception. While Roblox doesn’t officially support Linux systems, innovative community solutions have emerged to bridge this gap. Sober stands out as the most revolutionary approach to running Roblox on Linux Mint 22, offering native-like performance that often surpasses the Windows client. This comprehensive guide walks through every step of installing and configuring Sober on Linux Mint 22, ensuring you can enjoy Roblox games with optimal performance and stability.

Unlike traditional compatibility layers such as Wine or resource-heavy Android emulators, Sober creates a specialized runtime specifically designed for Roblox’s Android version. The results speak for themselves—users frequently report frame rates exceeding 1,000 FPS after proper configuration. This tutorial covers system requirements, installation methods, configuration options, troubleshooting techniques, and performance optimization tips to deliver a complete Roblox experience on your Linux Mint 22 system.

What is Sober Roblox?

Understanding Sober’s Technology

Sober represents an experimental interoperability runtime developed by VinegarHQ that allows the Android version of Roblox to run natively on Linux systems. The technology behind Sober differs fundamentally from other Linux gaming solutions. It creates a specialized runtime environment that bridges the compatibility gap between Android and Linux, effectively allowing Roblox to run as if it were designed for Linux from the ground up.

This isn’t Wine, which translates Windows API calls. It’s not an Android emulator running a full mobile environment. Sober crafts a targeted runtime specifically for Roblox’s code, ensuring maximum compatibility with minimal overhead. The approach focuses on running the x86-64 Android build of Roblox, which is optimized for desktop processors rather than mobile ARM chips.

Key Features and Capabilities

The performance advantages of Sober are immediately noticeable. Users consistently report performance comparable to or exceeding the native Windows client running on identical hardware. Some players have achieved over 1,000 FPS after removing frame rate limits through FFlags configuration. Beyond raw performance, Sober includes several quality-of-life enhancements that improve the Roblox experience.

Built-in features include Discord Rich Presence support, allowing your Discord status to display which Roblox game you’re currently playing. The classic “oof” death sound can be re-enabled for nostalgic players, and server location indicators help identify where game servers are hosted. Advanced users can customize textures, adjust FFlags for performance tuning, and disable telemetry for enhanced privacy.

Important Limitations and Disclaimers

Despite its impressive capabilities, Sober remains experimental software. It’s a passion project rather than production-grade code, meaning bugs and crashes should be expected. The developers maintain Sober as closed-source software to prevent exploits and maintain security, though this could change in the future. Roblox Corporation does not officially support Sober, and there exists a possibility that Roblox may choose to prevent Sober clients from accessing their services.

Users should understand these risks before installation. The project could be discontinued at any time, and accounts theoretically face risks when using unofficial clients. However, the VinegarHQ team actively maintains the project and provides support through their Discord server and GitHub issue tracker.

System Requirements for Linux Mint 22

Hardware Requirements

Before installing Sober, verify your hardware meets the minimum specifications. Your processor must be an x86-64 CPU with SSE4.2 instruction set support. Check CPU compatibility by running this command in your terminal:

grep -o 'sse4_2' /proc/cpuinfo

If the command returns “sse4_2” multiple times (one for each CPU core), your processor is compatible. Graphics requirements mandate Vulkan 1.0 or later, though OpenGL ES 3.0 or later also works. Most GPUs manufactured within the last eight years support Vulkan through either Mesa drivers (AMD/Intel) or proprietary NVIDIA drivers.

RAM requirements are modest—4GB minimum with 8GB or more recommended for optimal performance. Storage needs include at least 2GB of free space for Flatpak, Sober, and the Roblox client installation.

Software Requirements

Linux Mint 22 (codename Wilma or Xia) ships with kernel 5.11 or newer, meeting Sober’s minimum kernel requirement. Verify your kernel version with:

uname -r

Flatpak support is essential for installing Sober. Linux Mint 22 includes Flatpak by default, though older installations may require manual setup. An active internet connection is necessary for downloading packages and updates.

Verifying System Compatibility

Take a moment to verify all requirements before proceeding. Check if Flatpak is installed:

which flatpak

This command should return /usr/bin/flatpak if Flatpak is properly installed. Confirm adequate disk space with:

df -h ~

Ensure your graphics drivers support Vulkan by installing vulkan-tools and running vulkaninfo. These preliminary checks prevent installation issues and ensure smooth operation.

Prerequisites: Setting Up Flatpak on Linux Mint 22

Understanding Flatpak

Flatpak is a universal package management system that distributes applications in sandboxed environments. Applications installed via Flatpak run isolated from the rest of your system, enhancing security and ensuring consistent behavior across different Linux distributions. Sober uses Flatpak for distribution because it simplifies dependency management and provides a standardized installation experience.

The sandboxing approach means Sober cannot interfere with other system components, and system updates won’t break Sober functionality. Flatpak also enables automatic updates, keeping your Roblox client current without manual intervention.

Checking Flatpak Installation Status

Linux Mint 22 typically includes Flatpak pre-installed. Verify this by opening a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and typing:

flatpak --version

If you see a version number (such as 1.14.x or newer), Flatpak is ready to use. If the command returns “command not found,” proceed with manual installation.

Installing Flatpak (If Needed)

Should Flatpak be missing, install it through the APT package manager. First, update your package lists:

sudo apt update

Then install Flatpak:

sudo apt install flatpak -y

The -y flag automatically confirms the installation. After installation completes, verify success with flatpak --version.

Adding Flathub Repository

Flathub serves as the primary repository for Flatpak applications, hosting thousands of applications including Sober. Add the Flathub repository with this command:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

The --if-not-exists flag prevents errors if Flathub is already configured. Verify the repository addition:

flatpak remotes

You should see “flathub” listed with the system-level URL. This step is absolutely essential—without Flathub access, Sober cannot be installed.

Post-Setup Configuration

While not strictly required, rebooting your system after Flatpak setup ensures all environment variables and system integrations are properly loaded. Test Flatpak functionality by searching for available applications:

flatpak search vlc

If results appear, your Flatpak installation is functioning correctly.

Method 1: Installing Sober via Flatpakref File

Downloading Sober Flatpakref

Navigate to the official Sober website at sober.vinegarhq.org using your web browser. The homepage features clear installation instructions with a direct installation link. The flatpakref file provides a streamlined installation method endorsed by the VinegarHQ team.

Installation via Command Line

The command-line method offers precision and visibility into the installation process. Open your terminal and execute:

flatpak install --user https://sober.vinegarhq.org/sober.flatpakref

The --user flag installs Sober to your user directory (~/.local/share/flatpak/) rather than system-wide. User installations don’t require root privileges and won’t affect other system users. During installation, Flatpak will prompt you to confirm dependencies—type ‘Y’ to proceed.

For system-wide installation accessible to all users, omit the --user flag:

flatpak install https://sober.vinegarhq.org/sober.flatpakref

This requires administrator privileges and installs to /var/lib/flatpak/.

Installation via GUI Method

Alternatively, download the sober.flatpakref file by clicking the installation link on the website. Once downloaded, locate the file in your Downloads folder and double-click it. Linux Mint’s Software Manager or Gnome Software (depending on your desktop environment) will open, displaying Sober’s information and an Install button.

Click Install and authenticate with your password if prompted. The GUI method provides a familiar installation experience for users less comfortable with terminal commands.

Understanding Installation Process

The initial download includes Sober and its runtime dependencies, totaling approximately 500MB to 800MB. Download duration depends on your internet connection speed. Flatpak automatically resolves and installs required libraries, including graphics libraries and Android compatibility layers.

Installation progress appears in your terminal or GUI package manager. User installations store files in ~/.local/share/flatpak/app/org.vinegarhq.Sober/.

Verifying Successful Installation

Confirm Sober installed correctly by listing Flatpak applications:

flatpak list | grep Sober

You should see an entry for org.vinegarhq.Sober. Check your application menu by opening the main menu and searching for “Sober”. A Sober icon with the VinegarHQ branding should appear.

Method 2: Installing Sober via Flathub

Direct Flathub Installation

Flathub hosts Sober as an official package, providing an alternative installation path. This method downloads directly from Flathub’s repositories. Install Sober with this command:

flatpak install flathub org.vinegarhq.Sober

Flatpak will confirm the application ID and ask for installation confirmation. Press ‘Y’ to continue.

User vs System Installation

As with the flatpakref method, choose between user and system installation. User installation:

flatpak install --user flathub org.vinegarhq.Sober

System installation (requires sudo):

sudo flatpak install flathub org.vinegarhq.Sober

User installations are recommended for single-user systems, while system installations benefit multi-user setups. User installations isolate the application to your account, preventing other users from accessing it.

Installation Progress Monitoring

Watch the installation progress in your terminal. Flatpak first downloads metadata, then fetches the application bundle and runtime components. The terminal displays download speeds, transfer amounts, and estimated completion times. The process typically completes within 5-10 minutes on broadband connections.

Comparison of Installation Methods

Both flatpakref and direct Flathub commands achieve identical results—they install the same Sober version from the same source. The flatpakref method offers a streamlined approach with fewer commands, while the Flathub method provides explicit control over the source repository. Choose whichever method feels more comfortable.

First Launch and Roblox Installation

Launching Sober for the First Time

After installation completes, launch Sober from your application menu. Search for “Sober” in the menu search bar and click the icon. Alternatively, launch from terminal:

flatpak run org.vinegarhq.Sober

Running from terminal provides valuable debugging information if issues arise.

Automatic Roblox Installation

On first run, Sober displays an installation wizard. The wizard presents two installation options: Automatic and Manual. The “Automatic” option comes pre-selected and is recommended for most users.

Click the “Continue” button to begin automatic installation. Sober downloads the appropriate Android Roblox APK directly, ensuring version compatibility. The download process takes several minutes depending on connection speed. Progress indicators show download status.

Once downloaded, Sober automatically installs the APK and configures necessary components. The window closes automatically after successful installation.

Manual Roblox APK Installation (Alternative)

Advanced users may prefer manual APK installation for greater control over the Roblox version. Note which APK version Sober requests before proceeding.

Visit a trustworthy APK repository such as APKMirror. Navigate to the Roblox application page and locate the version matching Sober’s request. Download the appropriate APK bundle—ensure you select the x86_64 architecture variant, not ARM.

Download the APKM bundle file (this contains both the base APK and x86_64 split APK). Return to Sober’s installation wizard, select “Manual” installation, and choose the downloaded APKM file from the file picker. If you downloaded separate base and x86_64 APK files, select both files simultaneously.

Second Launch After Installation

Close and relaunch Sober after installation completes. The application now displays the Roblox mobile interface. You’ll see the Roblox login screen with a mobile-style layout. This is expected behavior—Sober runs the Android version of Roblox, which features mobile UI elements.

Creating Desktop Shortcuts

Sober automatically integrates with your application menu during installation. Add Sober to your favorites or dock for quick access by right-clicking the icon in your menu and selecting “Add to favorites” or “Add to panel”. No additional desktop shortcut configuration is necessary.

Logging Into Roblox Account

Creating a Roblox Account

If you don’t have a Roblox account, create one through the official Roblox website before launching Sober. Open Firefox or your preferred browser and navigate to roblox.com. Click “Sign Up” and complete the registration process. Verify your email address to ensure full account functionality.

Account creation through the official website is more reliable than creating accounts through unofficial clients. This approach also enables proper security configuration before first login.

Signing Into Sober

Launch Sober to display the Roblox login screen. Enter your username or email address in the first field, then your password in the second field. Complete any CAPTCHA verification if prompted. If you’ve enabled two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Roblox account, enter the verification code from your authenticator app.

Click “Log In” to access your account. The “Quick Sign In” option allows faster authentication if you’ve previously logged in.

Account Security Best Practices

Use a strong, unique password for your Roblox account. Enable two-factor authentication through your account settings on the Roblox website for enhanced security. Remember that Sober is unofficial software—while the VinegarHQ team has built trust in the community, understand the inherent risks of using third-party clients.

Never share your credentials with others, and avoid logging in through untrusted Wi-Fi networks. Keep your Linux Mint system updated with security patches.

Troubleshooting Login Issues

If login fails, verify your credentials by attempting to log in through the Roblox website. Connection errors may indicate firewall interference—check your network settings. If CAPTCHA doesn’t load, ensure your internet connection is stable and try again. Two-factor authentication complications can be resolved by verifying your authenticator app’s time synchronization.

Configuring Sober for Optimal Performance

Accessing Configuration File

Sober’s behavior is controlled through a JSON configuration file located at ~/.var/app/org.vinegarhq.Sober/config/sober/config.json. Open this file in a text editor using terminal:

nano ~/.var/app/org.vinegarhq.Sober/config/sober/config.json

Alternatively, use your preferred graphical text editor like gedit or xed. Understanding JSON format helps—settings appear as key-value pairs within curly braces.

Always backup your configuration before editing: Copy the file to a safe location to restore if problems occur.

Essential Configuration Options

Display and Graphics Settings

The enable_hidpi option improves scaling on high-resolution displays and laptops. Set to true for HiDPI screens, false otherwise.

The use_opengl setting switches from Vulkan to OpenGL rendering. If you experience graphics issues with Vulkan, set this to true. Most modern systems should leave this at false to use Vulkan for better performance.

User Interface Options

The touch_mode setting controls interface style. Options include "off" (desktop UI), "on" (mobile touch UI), or "auto" (automatic detection). Desktop users typically prefer "off".

Audio Settings

Enable the nostalgic classic death sound with bring_back_oof set to true. This restores the iconic “oof” sound removed from modern Roblox. Set to false to use current Roblox audio.

Integration Features

Discord Rich Presence displays your current Roblox game on your Discord status. The discord_rpc_enabled option defaults to true. Set to false to disable this feature.

Advanced Performance Tweaks

FFlags (feature flags) enable advanced tweaking for experienced users. The most impactful FFlag is DFIntTaskSchedulerTargetFps, which controls frame rate limits. Set this to your desired maximum FPS (e.g., 240, 360, or 999 for unlimited).

Example FFlags configuration:

"fflags": {
  "DFIntTaskSchedulerTargetFps": "240"
}

Be cautious with FFlags—incorrect values can cause crashes. Reference Bloxstrap’s FastFlags guide for comprehensive options.

Applying Configuration Changes

Save your configuration file after editing (Ctrl+O in nano, then Ctrl+X to exit). Restart Sober completely for changes to take effect—close all Sober windows and relaunch. Test your changes by launching a Roblox game.

If issues arise, restore your backup configuration file. Problematic changes can be reverted by deleting the problematic lines or resetting to default values.

Performance Optimization Tips

Adjust in-game graphics quality settings to balance visuals and frame rates. Lower texture quality, shadows, and effects for better performance. Close background processes and applications consuming system resources.

Keep graphics drivers updated for optimal compatibility. Monitor system resources using htop to identify performance bottlenecks. For Cinnamon desktop environment users, disabling the compositor can eliminate screen tearing and improve frame times.

Using Sober: Playing Roblox on Linux Mint 22

Launching Roblox Games

After logging in, Sober displays the Roblox home screen with trending and recommended games. Browse games by scrolling or use the search function to find specific experiences. Click any game tile to view details and launch the game.

Loading times are comparable to or faster than Windows, thanks to Linux’s efficient file system handling. Most games load within 10-30 seconds depending on game complexity.

Navigation and Controls

The Android version’s mobile-style interface requires some adjustment. Keyboard and mouse input function normally for gameplay. WASD keys control movement, spacebar for jumping, and mouse for camera control—standard Roblox controls apply.

Gamepad and controller support works through Sober’s native input handling. Connect controllers via USB or Bluetooth before launching Sober. Steam Deck users particularly benefit from full controller integration.

In-Game Experience

Performance typically exceeds native Windows installations on identical hardware. Users report frame rates of 200-1000+ FPS depending on hardware and configuration. Graphics quality matches Windows clients, with all visual effects and shaders functioning correctly.

Audio works without issues, including in-game music, sound effects, and voice chat (if enabled). Chat and social features function identically to other platforms. Trading, marketplace access, and friend interactions work seamlessly.

Desktop Integration Features

Discord Rich Presence automatically updates your Discord status with the current game you’re playing. System notifications appear for friend requests and messages. Multi-tasking works smoothly—switch between Sober and other Linux applications without performance degradation.

Window management follows standard Linux conventions. Toggle fullscreen with F11 or run in windowed mode for easier multitasking. Alt+Tab switches between applications normally.

Game Compatibility

The vast majority of Roblox experiences work flawlessly through Sober. Known incompatibilities are rare and typically involve games with specific Windows-only requirements. VR experiences are not currently supported due to technical limitations of the Android client.

Report compatibility issues to the VinegarHQ GitHub repository to help improve Sober. The community maintains compatibility lists for popular games.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Installation Problems

Flatpak Not Found

If flatpak command returns “not found,” install the Flatpak package:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install flatpak -y

Add /usr/bin to your PATH if the command still fails. Verify installation with which flatpak.

Flathub Repository Errors

Remove and re-add the Flathub repository if errors occur:

flatpak remote-delete flathub
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Check network connectivity and DNS resolution if repository addition fails. Test with ping flathub.org.

Sober Installation Fails

Verify sufficient disk space with df -h ~. Permission errors during user installation indicate file system problems—try system installation instead. On older distributions, conflicting bubblewrap-suid packages may interfere—remove them with sudo apt remove bubblewrap-suid.

Launch and Runtime Issues

Sober Won’t Start

Run Sober from terminal to see error messages:

flatpak run org.vinegarhq.Sober

Missing dependency errors require installing additional libraries. Graphics driver problems manifest as Vulkan or OpenGL errors. Verify kernel version meets minimum requirements (5.11+).

Black Screen or Crash on Launch

Vulkan driver issues cause black screens. Switch to OpenGL by setting use_opengl: true in the configuration file. Update graphics drivers—Mesa drivers for AMD/Intel, proprietary drivers for NVIDIA.

Install vulkan-tools and run vulkaninfo to diagnose Vulkan problems. If Vulkan isn’t supported, OpenGL mode is mandatory.

Roblox Fails to Download

Verify internet connection stability. Firewall or proxy settings may block downloads—temporarily disable to test. Use manual APK installation from APKMirror as an alternative.

Performance Issues

Low FPS or Stuttering

Adjust graphics settings in-game to lower quality presets. Disable the desktop compositor on Cinnamon (Alt+F2, type cinnamon --replace, press Enter). Close resource-intensive background processes.

Monitor CPU and GPU usage with htop and nvidia-smi (NVIDIA) or radeontop (AMD). Uncap FPS through FFlags configuration if your system can handle it.

Audio Problems

PulseAudio and PipeWire sometimes conflict—ensure only one audio server is running. Check audio device selection in system settings. Adjust volume mixer settings for the Flatpak sandbox.

Login and Account Issues

Cannot Login to Account

Verify credentials by logging into the Roblox website. CAPTCHA problems may indicate network filtering—try a different network. VPN or proxy interference can prevent authentication—disable temporarily to test. Check Roblox service status at status.roblox.com.

Connection Errors

Configure firewall rules to allow Flatpak applications network access. Adjust network timeout settings if you have a slow connection. DNS configuration issues can prevent connection—try switching to Google DNS (8.8.8.8).

Game-Specific Problems

Specific Games Won’t Load

Some games may have compatibility issues with the Android client. Search the Sober GitHub issues for reports about specific games. Try alternative game versions or similar experiences. Join the VinegarHQ Discord community for workarounds.

Collecting Logs for Bug Reports

Run Sober from terminal to capture log output:

flatpak run org.vinegarhq.Sober 2>&1 | tee sober-log.txt

This command saves all output to sober-log.txt for bug reports. Report issues to the VinegarHQ GitHub repository with detailed system information and logs. Join the community Discord for real-time support and troubleshooting assistance.

Updating Sober and Roblox

Updating Sober Application

Keep Sober current to receive bug fixes, performance improvements, and compatibility updates. Update Sober with this command:

flatpak update org.vinegarhq.Sober

Update all Flatpak applications simultaneously:

flatpak update

Check for available updates without installing:

flatpak remote-ls --updates

Flatpak may display update notifications automatically depending on your system configuration. Update frequency varies—major updates release every few weeks, minor patches more frequently.

Roblox Version Updates

Sober handles Roblox updates automatically when you launch the application. The client checks for new Roblox versions on startup and downloads them as needed. Manual updates are rarely necessary.

If automatic updates fail, try manual APK installation with the newer version. Handle update errors by clearing Sober’s cache and reinstalling Roblox through the setup wizard.

Staying Current

Regular updates ensure optimal performance and security. Updates often include compatibility fixes for new Roblox features and game mechanics. Security patches address vulnerabilities in both Sober and the Roblox client.

New features and improvements enhance the user experience over time. Compatibility updates maintain functionality as Roblox itself evolves.

Update Troubleshooting

Failed updates may require reinstallation. Uninstall Sober, remove configuration files, and perform a fresh installation. Clear the Flatpak update cache:

flatpak repair

This command fixes corrupted downloads and repository issues.

Uninstalling Sober

Complete Removal Process

Remove Sober with the Flatpak uninstall command:

flatpak uninstall org.vinegarhq.Sober

Confirm the uninstallation when prompted. Remove unused dependencies to free additional space:

flatpak uninstall --unused

This removes orphaned runtimes and libraries no longer needed by any application.

Removing Configuration Files

Configuration and data files persist after uninstalling the application. Remove them manually:

rm -rf ~/.var/app/org.vinegarhq.Sober/

This deletes all Sober settings, saved data, and downloaded Roblox files. Ensure you have backups of any important configurations before deletion.

Removing Flatpak (Optional)

If you no longer need Flatpak for any applications, remove it entirely:

sudo apt remove flatpak

Remove the Flathub repository:

flatpak remote-delete flathub

Only remove Flatpak if you have no other Flatpak applications installed.

Clean Uninstallation Checklist

Verify complete removal by searching for remaining Sober files:

find ~ -name "*sober*" -o -name "*vinegar*"

Check available disk space to confirm space has been freed:

df -h ~

No Sober entries should appear in your application menu.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Sober Roblox. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Sober Roblox on Linux Mint 22 system. For additional or useful information, we recommend you check the official Sober website.