How To Install Telegram on Manjaro

Telegram has emerged as one of the most popular messaging platforms for users who prioritize security, privacy, and cross-platform functionality. For Manjaro Linux users, installing Telegram offers a seamless communication experience that integrates well with their operating system. This comprehensive guide walks you through various methods to install Telegram on your Manjaro system, ensuring you can choose the approach that best suits your needs and technical comfort level.

Whether you’re new to Linux or an experienced power user, this guide provides detailed instructions for installing Telegram using different package management systems available on Manjaro. Let’s explore how you can get this powerful messaging application up and running on your system.

Understanding Telegram and Its Benefits

Telegram is much more than just another messaging application. It’s a feature-rich platform that offers secure communication across multiple devices. At its core, Telegram provides instant messaging functionality, but its capabilities extend far beyond that.

One of Telegram’s standout features is its strong focus on security. The platform offers end-to-end encryption for secret chats, ensuring that your conversations remain private and secure. This security-focused approach makes it particularly appealing to Linux users, who often prioritize privacy and data protection.

The application also excels in its file-sharing capabilities. Unlike many messaging platforms that limit file sizes, Telegram allows you to share files up to 1.5GB, making it incredibly versatile for transferring documents, media, and other large files. Additionally, Telegram’s cloud-based architecture ensures that your messages and files are synchronized across all your devices, providing a seamless experience whether you’re using your Manjaro desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

Group communication is another area where Telegram shines. The platform supports group chats with up to 200 members, making it suitable for both personal and professional use. Moreover, Telegram channels allow for broadcasting messages to an unlimited number of subscribers, making it an effective tool for content distribution and community building.

When compared to other messaging platforms, Telegram stands out for its combination of security features, cross-platform support, and rich functionality. While WhatsApp may have a larger user base, Telegram offers superior privacy controls and doesn’t require phone number sharing for communications. Similarly, while Signal may offer stronger encryption by default, Telegram provides a more feature-rich experience with better group management capabilities and file sharing options.

Prerequisites for Installation

Before proceeding with any installation method, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

System Requirements:

• A working Manjaro Linux installation
• Sufficient disk space (approximately 100MB for the application)
• An active internet connection
• At least 1GB of RAM (for smooth operation)

Required Permissions:
You’ll need administrative access to your system for most installation methods. This means having sudo privileges or root access to execute commands that install packages system-wide.

System Updates:
It’s always good practice to ensure your system is up to date before installing new software. Run the following command to update your Manjaro system:

sudo pacman -Syu

This command synchronizes your package databases and upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions, reducing the likelihood of dependency issues during Telegram installation.

Basic Terminal Knowledge:
While there are graphical methods available, some installation approaches require basic familiarity with the command line. Understanding how to open a terminal and execute simple commands will be helpful, especially for troubleshooting if issues arise.

Method 1: Using Manjaro’s Native Package Manager (Pacman)

Installing Telegram using Manjaro’s native package manager, pacman, is generally the most straightforward and recommended method for most users. This approach ensures that the application integrates well with your system and receives updates alongside your other system packages.

Step-by-Step Installation with Pacman

1. Open your terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T or finding it in your application menu.
2. Execute the installation command:

   sudo pacman -S telegram-desktop

3. When prompted, enter your password and press Enter.
4. Confirm the installation by typing ‘Y’ when asked if you want to proceed with the installation.
5. Wait for the installation to complete. Pacman will download and install the Telegram package and all necessary dependencies.
6. Launch Telegram by typing telegram-desktop in the terminal, or by finding it in your application menu under “Internet” or “Communication” categories.

Verifying the Installation

To ensure Telegram was installed correctly, you can check its version by running:

pacman -Qi telegram-desktop

This command displays detailed information about the installed package, including its version, description, dependencies, and more.

Updating Telegram via Pacman

One significant advantage of using pacman for installation is the seamless update process. Whenever you update your system with sudo pacman -Syu, Telegram will be updated along with other packages if a new version is available.

Uninstalling Telegram

If you ever need to remove Telegram from your system, you can do so with the following command:

sudo pacman -R telegram-desktop

For a more thorough removal that also deletes configuration files, use:

sudo pacman -Rn telegram-desktop

Troubleshooting Pacman Installation Issues

Issue: “Could not resolve host” error

• Solution: Check your internet connection and DNS settings. Try using a different mirror by editing /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.

Issue: Dependency problems

• Solution: Update your system completely (sudo pacman -Syu) before attempting the installation again.

Issue: Telegram won’t start after installation

• Solution: Launch it from the terminal to see any error messages. If you see errors related to missing libraries, try reinstalling with sudo pacman -S --needed telegram-desktop.

Method 2: Installing Through GUI Package Manager

For users who prefer a graphical interface over command line operations, Manjaro’s graphical package manager provides an intuitive way to install Telegram.

Installation Steps Using Pamac (Add/Remove Software)

1. Open the Manjaro Menu and search for “Add/Remove Software” or “Pamac”.
2. Launch the Pamac application by clicking on it.
3. In the search bar, type “telegram” and press Enter.
4. Locate “telegram-desktop” in the search results.
5. Click the “Install” button next to the Telegram Desktop entry.
6. Enter your password when prompted for authentication.
7. Wait for the installation to complete. The GUI will show the progress and notify you once the installation is finished.
8. Launch Telegram by clicking the “Launch” button that appears after installation, or find it in your application menu.

Benefits of Using the GUI Method

The graphical approach is particularly beneficial for new Linux users who might not be comfortable with the command line. It provides visual feedback during the installation process and allows you to browse available software easily. Additionally, the GUI package manager handles dependencies automatically, just like pacman, ensuring a smooth installation experience.

Updating and Uninstalling via GUI

To update Telegram:

1. Open Pamac
2. Click on the “Updates” tab
3. If Telegram has an update available, it will be listed here
4. Click “Apply” to update all packages or select just Telegram

To uninstall Telegram:

1. Open Pamac
2. Search for “telegram”
3. Right-click on “telegram-desktop” or click the installed package
4. Select “Remove”
5. Confirm the uninstallation when prompted

Method 3: Installing via Snap Package Manager

Snap is a universal package management system that works across many Linux distributions. Using Snap to install Telegram offers advantages like automatic updates and sandboxed applications for enhanced security.

Setting Up Snap on Manjaro

Since Snap doesn’t come pre-installed on Manjaro, you’ll need to set it up first:

1. Open a terminal and run:

   sudo pacman -S snapd

2. Enable the systemd socket:

   sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

3. Create a symbolic link for snap support:

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

4. Log out and log back in, or restart your computer to ensure snap works correctly.

Installing Telegram Using Snap

Once Snap is set up, installing Telegram is straightforward:

1. Open a terminal and execute:

   sudo snap install telegram-desktop

2. Wait for the installation to complete. Snap will download and install the latest version of Telegram.
3. Launch Telegram from your application menu or by typing telegram-desktop in the terminal.

Verifying the Installation

To check details about the installed Snap version of Telegram, you can use:

snap info telegram-desktop

This command provides information about the installed version, publisher details, and more.

Advantages of Using Snap

Snap packages come with several benefits:

• Automatic background updates
• Improved security through application sandboxing
• Consistent behavior across different Linux distributions
• Direct updates from the application developers

Updating and Uninstalling Snap Packages

Updating Telegram:
Snap packages update automatically by default. To manually trigger an update:

sudo snap refresh telegram-desktop

Uninstalling Telegram:

sudo snap remove telegram-desktop

Troubleshooting Snap-Related Issues

Issue: “snap not found” command

• Solution: Make sure you’ve installed snapd correctly and created the symbolic link as shown above.

Issue: Permissions problems

• Solution: Some snaps might have limited access to system resources. Use the snap connect command to grant additional permissions if needed.

Issue: Telegram fails to start after installation

• Solution: Try running snap restart telegram-desktop or check the logs with snap logs telegram-desktop to identify the issue.

Method 4: Installing via Flatpak

Flatpak is another universal package format that’s gaining popularity in the Linux community. Like Snap, it provides a sandboxed environment for applications but with a different approach to packaging and distribution.

Setting Up Flatpak on Manjaro

Flatpak often comes pre-installed on Manjaro, but if it’s not available, you can install it using:

sudo pacman -S flatpak

You’ll also want to add the Flathub repository, which hosts many applications including Telegram:

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

Installing Telegram Using Flatpak

Once Flatpak is set up:

1. Open a terminal and run:

   flatpak install flathub org.telegram.desktop

2. Confirm the installation by typing “y” when prompted.
3. Wait for the installation to complete. Flatpak will download and install Telegram and all its dependencies.
4. Launch Telegram from your application menu or by running:

   flatpak run org.telegram.desktop

Benefits and Limitations of Flatpak

Benefits:

• Sandboxed applications for improved security
• Applications run consistently across different Linux distributions
• Updates are directly from the application developers
• Multiple versions of the same application can coexist

Limitations:

• Larger disk space requirements due to bundled dependencies
• Potentially slower first-time launches
• May have limited system integration compared to native packages

Updating and Uninstalling Flatpak Applications

To update Telegram:

flatpak update org.telegram.desktop

Or update all Flatpak applications:

flatpak update

To uninstall Telegram:

flatpak uninstall org.telegram.desktop

Method 5: Manual Installation from Official Website

For users who prefer to have the very latest version directly from the developers, manual installation from Telegram’s official website is an option.

Download and Installation Steps

1. Open your web browser and navigate to https://telegram.org/dl/desktop/linux
2. Download the Linux version of Telegram. You can use wget in the terminal:

   wget -O telegram.tar.xz https://telegram.org/dl/desktop/linux

3. Extract the archive:

   tar xf telegram.tar.xz

4. Move the extracted folder to a standard location:

   sudo mv Telegram /opt/telegram

5. Create a symbolic link for easier access:

   sudo ln -sf /opt/telegram/Telegram /usr/bin/telegram

6. Create a desktop entry for integration with your application menu:

   echo "[Desktop Entry]
   Name=Telegram Desktop
   Comment=Official desktop client for the Telegram messaging service
   Exec=/opt/telegram/Telegram -- %u
   Icon=/opt/telegram/telegram.svg
   Terminal=false
   Type=Application
   Categories=Network;InstantMessaging;
   MimeType=x-scheme-handler/tg;
   Keywords=tg;chat;im;messaging;messenger;" | sudo tee /usr/share/applications/telegramdesktop.desktop

7. Update the desktop database:

   sudo update-desktop-database

8. Launch Telegram by typing telegram in the terminal or finding it in your application menu.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Manual Installation

Benefits:

• Always get the latest version directly from Telegram
• Full control over installation location and process
• No dependency on package managers

Drawbacks:

• No automatic updates
• Manual update process required
• Need to handle dependencies manually
• More complex installation and uninstallation process

Updating Manually Installed Telegram

To update a manually installed Telegram:

1. Download the new version
2. Extract it
3. Replace the old files in /opt/telegram/ with the new ones

Uninstalling Manual Installation

To uninstall a manually installed Telegram:

sudo rm -rf /opt/telegram
sudo rm /usr/bin/telegram
sudo rm /usr/share/applications/telegramdesktop.desktop
sudo update-desktop-database

First-Time Setup and Configuration

After installing Telegram, regardless of the method used, you’ll need to set it up for first use.

Initial Launch and Login

When you first launch Telegram, you’ll need to link it to your account:

1. Launch Telegram from your application menu or terminal.
2. Choose your login method:
   • Scan the QR code displayed on screen with the Telegram app on your phone
   • Enter your phone number and verify with the code sent via SMS or Telegram
3. Complete the profile setup if this is your first time using Telegram.

Privacy and Security Settings

Telegram offers extensive privacy settings:

1. Access Settings by clicking on the hamburger menu (≡) and selecting “Settings”.
2. Navigate to “Privacy and Security” to configure:
   • Who can see your phone number
   • Who can call you
   • Who can add you to groups
   • Active sessions on other devices
   • Two-step verification for additional security
3. Configure message auto-deletion for both personal and group chats.

Customizing Your Telegram Experience

Telegram offers various customization options:

1. Theme customization: Under “Settings” > “Chat Settings” > “Theme”, you can choose from several built-in themes or create your own.
2. Notification settings: Under “Settings” > “Notifications and Sounds”, configure how you want to be notified of new messages.
3. Storage settings: Under “Settings” > “Data and Storage”, manage how media is downloaded and stored.
4. Chat folders: Organize your chats into folders for better message management.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Despite the straightforward installation process, you might encounter some issues:

Permission Errors

Issue: “Permission denied” errors during installation
Solution: Make sure you’re using sudo for commands that require administrative privileges. For Flatpak, make sure your user is in the correct groups.

Dependency Problems

Issue: Missing dependencies
Solution:

1. For pacman: sudo pacman -Syu to update your system
2. For specific errors like missing libprotobuf-lite.so.28.1.0, try installing or updating the required package: sudo pacman -S protobuf

Display and Integration Issues

Issue: Telegram doesn’t appear in application menu
Solution: Try updating your desktop database: sudo update-desktop-database

Issue: Missing icons or visual glitches
Solution: Install required Qt libraries: sudo pacman -S qt5-base qt5-imageformats

Browser Integration Problems

Issue: Telegram links from browsers don’t open in the app
Solution: Add the proper MIME type handling:

echo "MimeType=x-scheme-handler/tg;" | sudo tee -a /usr/share/applications/telegramdesktop.desktop
sudo update-desktop-database

Tips for Using Telegram on Manjaro

To get the most out of Telegram on your Manjaro system:

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+N – Start new chat
• Ctrl+F – Search in current chat
• Ctrl+E – Edit last message
• Ctrl+L – Lock Telegram (if screen lock is enabled)
• Ctrl+W – Close current chat

System Integration Tips

1. Enable autostart: In Telegram settings under “Advanced”, enable “Launch Telegram when system starts”.
2. Desktop notifications: Ensure Manjaro’s notification system is properly configured to show Telegram alerts.
3. Default application: Set Telegram as the default application for handling tg:// links.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Telegram. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the latest version of the Telegram desktop on Manjaro Linux. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Telegram website.