Have you heard about Discord? If you haven‘t used it yet, you are missing out on one of the sleekest, most feature-packed communication platforms available today. Developed specifically for seamless chats with gamers, Discord has grown rapidly in popularity for general use thanks to its top-notch voice, video, messaging, and screen sharing functionality across devices.
In this comprehensive tutorial, I‘ll be walking you through everything you need to know to get Discord set up right on your Linux Mint desktop or laptop machine. Whether you consider yourself a Linux pro or are just getting started on an open-source operating system, you‘ll find this guide helpful.
By the end, you‘ll have Discord installed and configured the way you like it – ready to take your gaming chats, remote team meetups, or casual conversations to the next level with crystal clear sound and lag-free HD video. Let‘s get started!
A Brief History of Discord
Before jumping into the installation details, it helps to understand Discord‘s background and purpose. Discord was launched in 2015 by Jason Citron, founder of the gaming-focused chat community OpenFeint. Citron identified an unmet need in the market – a voice and text chat app specifically built for gamers that offered robust features while using minimal system resources.
The key principles guiding Discord‘s design included top-notch voice call quality, immediate reliability, cross-platform accessibility, and an intuitive interface any gamer could navigate easily. Citron focused development explicitly on meeting the collaboration and chat demands of gamers playing across devices and locales.
The market fit was undeniable. Discord saw massive growth in its first year. By 2016 Discord boasted over 25 million registered users. It quickly became the chat app of choice for major eSports teams and gaming communities.
As Discord‘s capabilities expanded over time with video streaming, better notifications, friend syncing, server boosts, and more – its popularity extended beyond strictly gaming circles. General group chats leveraged Discord for seamless media sharing and frictionless multi-user conversations.
Recent statistics paint the picture of Discord‘s soaring usage over the past two years:
- Over 140 million monthly active users as of 2021
- Roughly 38% year over year daily active user growth from 2019 to 2020
- 90 million downloads of its mobile app as of May, 2021
- Support for 28 interface languages as it expands globally
Discord sits in the sweet spot offering deeper features than simple chat apps while avoiding enterprise complexity. Configuration options give owners control over security and permissions while letting participants easily join in the conversation.
Top competitors like Skype, Slack, Google Hangouts or Zoom may offer overlapping capabilities, but none have matched Discord‘s blend of low learning curve and high-quality functions tailored specifically for cost-free informal chats. It fills a unique niche in the communication sphere.
Now let‘s explore why Linux users specifically gravitate to leveraging Discord as their chat platform of choice.
Why Discord on Linux Mint?
As an open-source operating system allowing extensive customization options and system interoperability, Linux provides technology enthusiasts ultimate control over configuring their computing environment.
Media content, development tools, system architectures – Linux systems like Mint empower users to optimize apps perfectly to their needs.
So its no surprise that a multi-faceted chat and collaboration platform like Discord catches fire amongst Linux distributions. Key advantages drive adoption:
Seamless Desktop Integration – Linux users praise Discord for sliding right into their workflow – intuitive from first launch for new users while offering deep configuration tweaks when needed.
Cross-Platform Flexibility – Conversations flow easily across smartphones, browsers and Linux desktops with Discord‘s consistent experience and cloud sync.
Lightweight Architecture – The Electron framework and reactive programming powering Discord limit resource drain – a big win for flexibility-focused Linux devices.
Gaming Focus – Custom notification levels, push-to-talk controls and lag reduction all tailor Discord for gaming, a major activity amongst the Linux community.
Visual Appeal – Discord‘s material design and theming aligns perfectly with modern Linux aesthetics preferred by power users.
For both hardcore Linux engineers fine tuning custom distros and new adopters enjoying greater control over their computing environment – Discord simply delivers as an intuitive, flexible and (most importantly) fun chat app.
Next let‘s explore step-by-step how to install Discord on Linux Mint across 3 quick methods – using the:
- Terminal
- Software Manager GUI
- Direct .deb package
I‘ll provide the exact commands and clicks needed to get Discord rolling on Mint so you can start enjoying fluid conversations. Let‘s get to it!
Method #1 – Install Discord on Linux Mint using Terminal
Serious Linux users likely feel right at home dropping to the command line to optimize workflows. And the Linux terminal happens to offer the fastest path to getting Discord installed if you are comfortable working with commands.
Here is the quick 2-step process:
Step 1 – Update Packages List & Install snapd
With over a decade of software engineering experience, I always kick off installer sessions by updating my system‘s package list. This best practice avoids any dependency issues when bringing new software onto your system:
sudo apt update
Always good to update before installing new software
Next we‘ll prep Discord‘s installer by removing a potential blocker file and enabling snap packages:
sudo rm /etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref 
Finally, install snapd:
sudo apt install snapd
Step 2 – Install Discord via Snap
With the snapd daemon enabled, installing Discord itself takes a single command:
sudo snap install discord Snap will pull down the latest Discord chat client package and dependencies:
Then launch Discord from terminal or desktop icon:
discord
That‘s all it takes! In a few short commands, Discord is installed via the terminal on Linux Mint.
I utilize this technique frequently from remote SSH sessions when I only have terminal access available. And I love the automatic updates snap packages bring – always keeping Discord up-to-date in the background.
But if you prefer skipping the CLI, let‘s explore how Linux Mint‘s handy Software Manager provides a quick graphical route to installing Discord next.
Method #2 – Install Discord through Software Manager
Another major appeal of polished Linux distros like Mint is the inclusion of well-designed graphic package managers. Software Manager provides an intuitive, friendly way to find and install apps visually.
If you are just getting started on Linux Mint, definitely take advantage of Software Manager‘s discoverability and ease of use. Or if you need a specific version of Discord, control is at your fingertips.
Here is how to quickly install Discord using Software Manager:
Step 1 – Open Software Manager
Click on the main Linux Mint system menu and select "Software Manager" to launch it.
With Software Manager open, search for "Discord" in the search bar:
Step 2 – Install Discord
In search results, click the Discord entry to view install options:
Select "Install" to begin downloading and configuring Discord:
Watch the progress as Discord sets itself up on your system. Once installed, you will see this confirmation indicating success:
Easy as that, Discord is installed via Linux Mint‘s graphical Software Manager app! No need to touch terminal or config files.
Software Manager also streamlines uninstalling Discord cleanly should you need to remove it in the future.
Finally, for those who want ultimate control over Discord‘s installation files or have advanced usage needs, installing via .deb package is also possible on Linux Mint.
Method #3 – Install via .deb Package
While snap and Software Manager offer set versions of Discord, tech pros often prefer installing apps from their source .deb or .rpm packages.
These raw archives integrate applications into Linux systems while permitting inspection and modification of included files during install.
For those preferring to craft each component‘s integration individually, follow these two quick steps to grab and configure Discord straight from deb:
Step 1 – Download Discord .deb Package
Use wget to pull down Discord‘s latest .deb bundle directly from their site:
wget -O discord "https://discord.com/api/download?platform=linux&format=deb"
This grabs the package without requiring apt repositories.
Step 2 – Install the .deb Package
Then install just the downloader .deb Discord package via:
sudo dpkg -i discord 
Voila! Discord should now be successfully installed from the standalone .deb archive.
I like having granular control over examination and upgrades when installing from raw packages. But casual users benefit most from snap or Software Manager methods.
You now have Discord fully up and running on your Linux Mint desktop via three different preferred techniques!
Next let‘s look at uninstall guidance in case you need to ever remove Discord cleanly from your Mint system.
Smoothly Removing Discord from Linux Mint
Hopefully your Discord experience is smooth sailing! But should you ever need to uninstall Discord, follow these simplified steps according to whichever install method you followed initially:
Using Terminal
If Discord was installed via the snap CLI method, uninstalling is a similarly quick terminal command:
sudo snap remove discord
Snap will cleanly disconnect all Discord‘s integration points and dependencies automatically.
Using Software Manager
To uninstall Discord added from Software Manager:
- Launch Software Manager
- Search for Discord
- Click the "Remove" button
This triggers Software Manager to smoothly handle the removal process.
For .deb or source installs, check your specific Linux distribution‘s package manager docs for associated uninstall commands.
With Discord successfully set up – let‘s briefly discuss critical configuration steps before diving into chat.
Optimizing Discord‘s Linux Experience
Beyond installation, you‘ll want to customize Discord‘s settings to your needs for the best Linux experience:
Text & Voice Shortcuts – Set "Push to Talk" keys fitting your keyboard to keep conversations clutter-free.
Notifications Tweaks – Granularly control notification behavior on busy Linux desktops.
Linux Plugin Installs – Enhance functionality with BetterDiscord or dissentcord plugins like Linux subjects.
Appearance Changes – Choose custom CSS styles and themes matching your desktop look through BeautifulDiscord.
Gaming Preferences – Tailor notifications, keybinds and display options for gaming chat.
Don‘t hesitate to poke around Discord‘s extensive settings options across audio, chat, overlay, text and permissions categories. Customize behaviours aligning to your style and productivity.
For gaming use cases in particular – binds, mute defaults and display toggles prevent disruption during intense play. And specialized gaming-focused Discord servers provide inspiration interacting with fellow Linux gaming enthusiasts.
With your installation complete and preferences tuned – it‘s time to join friends and communities within Discord‘s wonderfully configurable chat interface.
The Linux terminal commands, Software Manager installs and optimizations we stepped through will transform Discord into a responsive, polished and reliable communication hub on your Linux Mint desktop.
Let the Chatting Begin!
Congratulations – you now have Discord smoothly set up for crystal-clear voice calls, seamless screen shares and intuitive messaging with friends or collaborators across the globe.
I encourage personalizing behaviours and notifications to keep Discord productive rather than distracting. The Linux ethos empowering users to craft computing experiences perfectly aligning to personal styles.
Discord hands control back to you while removing friction to engage. Its flexibility and ease-of-use explain the exponential adoption.
Here‘s wishing fun adventures however you leverage Discord‘s capabilities within vibrant gaming scenes, remote work conversations, or casual community groups!
Thanks for following along – hopefully you feel equipped to install Discord via multiple methods on Linux Mint and have it working like a charm. Let me know if any questions come up as you jump into Linux-powered chats!
