How to Install FreeTube on Ubuntu

In today’s digital age, online video consumption has become integral to our daily lives. However, concerns regarding data privacy, targeted advertisements, and tracking have led many individuals to seek alternatives to mainstream video platforms. FreeTube, a privacy-focused YouTube client, has emerged as a popular choice for those looking to take control of their online viewing experience.

This article serves as a comprehensive guide, walking you through the process of installing FreeTube on Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux-based operating systems.

Features of FreeTube

This software is available for free and is open-source, compatible with multiple platforms. It allows us to watch videos without any advertisements. Additionally, it protects our privacy by preventing Google from tracking us through cookies or JavaScript. Furthermore, we can subscribe to channels without needing an account.

All our subscriptions, viewing history, and saved videos will be stored locally. The program also provides a download button on the player for video downloads. Moreover, we have the option to choose between a light or dark theme for the program interface according to our preference. Furthermore, the program interface can be translated into various languages, including Spanish.

How to Install FreeTube on Ubuntu?

Step 1: Perform Ubuntu Update

Please follow the instructions to ensure your system is updated to the latest version. By executing the command below, the APT package manager cache will also be refreshed, allowing your system to detect and install the most recent packages.

“sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade”

Step 2: Download the FreeTube Ubuntu package

Even though FreeTube is an open-source application, it is not available in the Ubuntu system repository for installation via the APT package manager. To install FreeTube, you need to visit the official website and download the FreeTube Debian package from there.

Step 3: Install FreeTube on Ubuntu 22.04

After obtaining the FreeTube Debian binary on your system, the subsequent step involves utilizing the APT package manager to install it. To proceed, navigate to your Downloads directory, which serves as the default location for downloaded files.

cd Downloads

Then run:

sudo apt install ./freetube_*_amd64.deb

Step 4: Run the Youtube Player app

We have now completed the installation of the open-source YouTube application on our Ubuntu 22.04 system. To launch the application, simply navigate to the Application launcher and search for “FreeTube”. Alternatively, you can also type “free tube” in your terminal to launch the app. Once the FreeTube icon appears on your screen, click on it to start using the application.

Using FreeTube on Linux

To begin using FreeTube on Linux, start by launching the application from the desktop. Locate the app menu and search for “FreeTube”. Once you find it, click on the application to open it. Once the app is launched, follow the step-by-step instructions provided below:

1. Locate the “Search/Go to URL” box and click on it using the mouse. After selecting the box, type in the desired content you wish to watch on YouTube.
2. After entering the desired content in the “Search/Go to URL” box, press the Enter key on your keyboard to view the search results. Alternatively, you can click on the arrow icon within the search box.
3. Browse through the search results to find the specific video you want to watch. Once you have found the desired video within the FreeTube application, click on it using the mouse.
4. When you select a video from the search results, FreeTube will load the YouTube video within the application and display it. At this point, click on the play button located at the center of the video to start watching it on FreeTube.

Conclusion

In conclusion, FreeTube is a remarkable free and open-source software that offers numerous benefits. It allows users to enjoy videos without advertisements, safeguards their privacy by blocking tracking mechanisms, enables channel subscriptions without requiring an account, and stores subscriptions, history, and videos locally.

The availability of a download button enhances convenience, while the choice between light and dark themes enhances the visual experience. Additionally, FreeTube supports multiple languages, including Spanish, making it accessible to a broader user base. Overall, FreeTube provides a user-friendly and privacy-focused alternative for enjoying YouTube content.