How to Install Google Hangouts on Ubuntu 20.04

Google Hangouts is the all-in-one communication tool by Google. You can instantly send text messages, find contacts, share pictures/videos, and hold voice/video chats. You can also make direct phone calls with standard phones, but it may require additional charges.

In this guide, let's check out how to install Google Hangouts on Ubuntu 20.04.

Hangouts on Ubuntu

Google doesn't offer a direct client for Hangouts. Not for the desktop, at least. That's why we have to take advantage of a 3^rd-party app. Here, I'll be showcasing how to use YakYak. YakYak is an open-source “unofficial” client for Hangouts. Check out YakYak.

Outside of YakYak, there's not much to work with. Well, you can still follow the classic way of using the browser.

Install YakYak on Ubuntu

For Ubuntu, there are a few options available to install yakyak. Yakyak officially offers a DEB package for Debian/Ubuntu and derivatives. It's also available as a snap package from Snapcraft. If you're interested, it's also possible to manually download and run yakyak without any installation.

Yakyak DEB package

Grab the latest yakyak DEB package.

Let's install the DEB package using APT. Launch the terminal and run the following command.

$ sudo apt update

$s udo apt install ./yakyak-1.5.9-linux-amd64.deb

Yakyak snap package

Snaps are universal Linux packages that can be installed on any Linux distro. All it needs is snappy (snap package manager) configured. Ubuntu comes with snap pre-installed. However, if you don't have it installed, install it right away!

$ sudo apt update && sudo apt install snapd

Let's make sure that snappy is ready to work. Install the “core” snap and restart the service.

$ sudo snap install core
$ sudo systemctl restart snapd

Finally, install yakyak snap.

$ sudo snap install yakyak

Yakyak manual run

This is not the recommended method of using yakyak in the long run. If a new version is released, you have to repeat this entire procedure manually again.

Download yakyak compressed package from GitHub.

Extract the package.

$ tar -xvf yakyak-1.5.9-linux-x64.tar.gz

Mark the yakyak executable file.

$ chmod +x yakyak

Launch the app by running the command.

$ ./yakyak

Using YakYak

Launch YakYak from the menu.

You'll be prompted to log into your Google account.

Once you've logged in, everything is set! Enjoy Google Hangouts right from your desktop!

Image source: https://github.com/yakyak/yakyak

Final thoughts

If you're regularly using Hangouts, then YakYak is an excellent tool to have. Give it a try yourself. See for yourself if it's worth it.

Are you interested in having your Google Drive at your fingertips? Check out how to mount and use Google Drive.

Enjoy!