If I install software from .deb file, do I still get the updates & upgrades when I run sudo apt update / upgrade ? Or is flatpak the way to go? I’m not very familiar with flatpak, so I’m trying to avoid, but it seems that cons are limited. I’m currently running mint cinnamon (how original, I know), and asking because i can’t seem to add mullvad-vpn stable repo. Thank you for your help,
Mullvad repo doesn’t work in mint. The .deb does not update automatically. You have to download it manually every time you want to update it.
I did get to install the Mullvad repo on Mint. The thing is they use the “lsb_release -cs” command which give the codename of Mint and not Ubuntu.
But if you use
awk -F= '$1=="UBUNTU_CODENAME" { print $2 ;}' /etc/os-releaseIt will give the codename for Mint.
Try this from the Mullvad instruction with this change :
# Download the Mullvad signing key sudo curl -fsSLo /usr/share/keyrings/mullvad-keyring.asc https://repository.mullvad.net/deb/mullvad-keyring.asc # Add the Mullvad repository server to apt echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/mullvad-keyring.asc arch=$( dpkg --print-architecture )] https://repository.mullvad.net/deb/stable $(awk -F= '$1=="UBUNTU_CODENAME" { print $2 ;}' /etc/os-release) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mullvad.list # Install the package sudo apt update sudo apt install mullvad-vpnOk, thanks. Am I still notified by Mullvad whenever there’s an update available? I’ve seen another user mention that it is the case.
Yep it does that, and it gets annoying. I’m switching just because of that, just don’t know where yet.
Does mullvad use a proprietary VPN implementation? I’d just use openvpn and their config file. Maybe gluetun.
Mullvad implements Wireguard under the hood. I think they have some OpenVPN endpoints, too.
For mullvad vpn the client will tell you when there’s an update available by a very obvious flag in the app that you click on to download it then click/double click on the file out of the downloads to get debi to install it.
To answer the broader question, where ever possible install apps via software manager, that way they are updated with apt / update manager.
I would suggest using flatpacks sparingly as they are disk hogs.
Thank you very much for this clear answer.
Some .deb files do include repo information (e.g. Chrome), but most don’t.
Thanks!
Generally, no. Apt gets its packages from the repositories, so unless (i) your .deb package gets added to those repositories, or (ii) you add a new repository that contains your package, it won’t be updated.
some deb packages add new repositories to the system, so there’s a possibility that just installing a deb package will ensure updates keep coming. if i recall correctly, that’s what zoom does
The answer is going vary by package. If the deb file adds a repo containing updates for itself, then yes. If not, then no.
I assumed it’s not the case since mullvad states it’s not meant to be used on mont, but is there a way to check?
Mint is Debian based. Mullvad supports debian.
Where does mullvad say it’s not meant to be used on Mint ? I literally have it running on 5 mint devices.
Can’t see that on their website at a quick search
Saying it is not supported is not the same as not meant to be used
In fact to the contrary this references install for mint
https://mullvad.net/en/help/install-mullvad-app-linux
Got to the section that says
“Download and install the app”
For a command line explanation
Honestly though just download the .deb and double click on it out of the folder to get debi to install. It’s all gui and easy
Look at the files in
/etc/apt/sources.listand/etc/apt/sources.list.d.you can also just check
dpkg -L $installed_package_name | grep /etc/apt/to find files that would have been installed by the package there.
I’m not a Mint user but I would assume the Ubuntu/Debian install instructions on Mullvad would work on Mint as well~~https://mullvad.net/en/download/vpn/linux~~
My bad, just read further in mullvads documentation and they do state that Mint requires manual installation. If I understand it correctly you will need to follow these instructions to install updates as well.
https://mullvad.net/en/help/install-mullvad-app-linux#install-manual
It’s reasonable advice. Mullvad is literally the only time I’ve found the ubuntu instructions to not work on mint
Prismlauncher has a similar issue, basically you have to sort of “convert” the Ubuntu instructions, thankfully there’s a flatpak.
I’m currently running mint cinnamon (how original, I know), and asking because i can’t seem to add mullvad-vpn stable repo.
What’s the problem? Mint is based on Ubuntu, use the corresponding Ubuntu repo (
noblein case of Mint 22.1).Doesn’t always work - for example the mullvad browser won’t install on mint with the ubuntu instructions as OS version gets reported as Xia not noble (if I’m recalling the issue correctly it was 6-9 months ago)
Yes you can amend the commands to get it to work but it’s definitely not beginner level, I had to faff around for an hour or so before I worked it out
Flatpak has annoyances like sometimes not following your icon theme, or just generally looking out of place because not picking up system defaults.
It works but I avoid it. On Arch Linux, there is a huge AUR repository where users have made native packages, and thats usually much better than Flatpak. But on Ubuntu, Flatpak is the only option sometimes.
For me its been almost 0%. :) Very happy with it.
