How to Get Arc Browser on your Linux System in 6 Easy Steps

Arc Browser doesn't have a native Linux app, but you can still use it

How to

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by Claudiu Andone 

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How to download and install Arc Browser on Linux

Getting Arc Browser up and running on Linux might seem daunting, but with the right steps, it’s a breeze. This guide will walk you through the process of downloading, building, and running Arc Browser on your Linux system.

1. Download Arc Browser for Linux using git clone

  1. Open your terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
  2. Type the following command to clone the Arc Browser repository and press Enter: git clone --recursive https://chromium.googlesource.com/arc/arc
  3. This command will download all the necessary files from the repository to your local machine.

This will help you get all the necessary files to build Arc Browser from the source, allowing you to have the most updated version directly from the developers.

2. Installing ARC dependencies

  1. If you are using Ubuntu 12.04 or 14.04, execute the following commands to ensure your dependencies are up to date:./src/build/install-arc-deps.sh # For Ubuntu 12.04 ./src/build/install-build-deps.sh # For Ubuntu 14.04

This step ensures that all the libraries and tools required to build Arc Browser are installed on your system, avoiding any build errors due to missing dependencies.

3. Configuring the build

  1. For a 64-bit architecture, run:./configure
  2. For a 32-bit architecture, run:./configure --target=nacl_i686
  3. For ARM architecture, run:./configure --target=bare_metal_arm

These commands configure the build environment according to your system architecture, ensuring that the resulting binaries are compatible with your hardware.

4. Building the ARC Browser

To start the build process, enter the following command and press Enter: ninja

The ninja command will compile the Arc Browser source code, creating the executable binaries you will use to run the browser on your Linux machine.

5. Cleaning the build (optional)

If you need to clean up your build files, use the following command and press Enter: ninja -t clean

    This command will remove all the build artifacts, which is useful if you need to start the build process from scratch without any old files causing conflicts.

    6. Running Arc Browser

    1. Navigate to the directory with the built binaries: cd out/target/<your_target_architecture>/lib
    2. Execute the browser binary:./arc_browser_executable # Replace with the actual binary name

    These final steps let you run the Arc Browser on your Linux machine, allowing you to experience its features and interface.

    Following these steps will help you download, build, and run the Arc Browser on your Linux machine, ensuring you have a smooth and compatible setup. For future builds, always ensure your dependencies are up-to-date and clean your build files to avoid conflicts.

    Did you know that you can also install and use Arc Browser on a Chromebook? Click the highlighted link for instructions.

    If you have any trouble, hit the comments section below and let us know.

    More about the topics: Arc, browser, Linux

    Claudiu Andone

    Claudiu Andone Shield

    Windows Toubleshooting Expert

    Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft. His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school. With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!