How to use uGet on Chrome OS
uGet is an open-source, lightweight Chromebook that integrates seamlessly with browsers and supports multi-connection downloads. This tool is handy for Chrome OS users, who often lack a robust download manager. This guide will help you install and use uGet on your Chromebook.
How to Enable Linux on Your Chromebook
For Chromebook users with Linux app support, adding Linux to Chrome OS is straightforward. Start by accessing the settings menu on your device.
In the Chrome OS settings area, click the dropdown arrow next to the “Advanced” section to reveal various settings.
Navigate to the “Developers” section to find Linux options. Here, locate the “Linux development environment” and click on it, then select the “Turn on” button to begin setting up the Linux LXC container. This step enables Linux app usage on Chrome OS.
Once Linux is enabled, open the Chrome OS app menu and search for “Terminal.” Open the “Terminal” app and select “Penguin” to launch the Linux command-line interface.
It’s essential to update and upgrade your Linux container to the latest software versions. Start with the apt update command:
sudo apt update
This command refreshes your package sources and searches for software updates. Follow this with the upgrade command to install the latest software versions, a critical step that may take some time:
sudo apt upgrade -y
With your container updated, you’re ready to install Linux applications on your Chromebook, including uGet.
How to Install uGet – Debian Repo
The easiest method to install the uGet download manager on Chrome OS is through the official Debian software repository. Open a terminal, then search for and select “Terminal” in the Chrome OS app menu. Begin with “Penguin.”
To install uGet from the Debian software repository, execute the apt install command for the “uget” package:
sudo apt install uget
This process is typically quick. Once completed, uGet can be accessed through the “Linux apps” folder in the Chrome OS app menu.
How to Install uGet – Flatpak
Alternatively, uGet can be installed via Flatpak. Start by opening a terminal on your Chromebook and selecting “Penguin.”
In the terminal, use the apt install command to install the “flatpak” package, necessary for running Flatpak applications:
sudo apt install flatpak
After installing “flatpak,” enable the Flathub app store with the flatpak remote-add command:
flatpak --user remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Following the Flathub setup, install uGet using the flatpak install command:
flatpak install flathub com.ugetdm.uGet
Once installed, access uGet through the “Linux apps” folder in the Chrome OS menu.
How to Use uGet
Although uGet doesn’t integrate directly with the Chrome OS browser, it remains an effective tool for Chromebook users. To achieve browser integration, you might consider installing a Linux browser like Firefox, which pairs well with uGet, enhancing the file-downloading experience. Please refer to our guide for detailed steps on installing Firefox on Chrome OS. This combination can significantly improve your use of the uGet download manager.
To download files using uGet, begin by launching the application on your Chromebook. You can locate uGet in the “Linux apps” folder within the Chrome OS app menu. Open it, and then navigate to your web browser to find the file you wish to download.
Right-click on the file’s download link and select “copy link” to save it to your Chromebook’s clipboard. Next, return to uGet, click on “File,” and select “New Download.”
In the “New Download” window, find the “URI” field and paste your copied link. Hit the “OK” button to initiate the download process.
The download duration will depend on the file size but is generally quick for smaller files. Once the download is complete, you will find your file in the Chrome OS container’s “Home folder.”
How to Access Downloaded Files
To access your downloaded files from uGet, open the Chrome OS “Files” app. Locate the Linux folder on the sidebar, and click on it. This action grants access to files inside the Chrome OS Linux container, including your downloaded file with uGet.
Select your file and drag it out of the Linux folder within the Chrome OS Files app to use it on your Chromebook. Alternatively, you can keep your file in the Linux folder if you prefer to allow other Linux apps access to it.
