How to Install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04

Introduction

Before we discuss how to install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04,let's first understand-What is SMPlayer?

SMPlayer is a free and open-source multimedia player that provides a user-friendly interface and supports a wide range of audio and video formats.

This tutorial explains how to install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04.

Advantages

1. User-Friendly Interface: SMPlayer offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.
2. Playback of Various Formats: SMPlayer supports a wide range of audio and video formats, ensuring compatibility with most media files.
3. Advanced Features: SMPlayer provides advanced features like customizable keyboard shortcuts, subtitle synchronization, audio and video filters, and playback speed adjustments.
4. Built-in Codecs: SMPlayer comes with built-in codecs, eliminating the need to install separate codecs for many popular audio and video formats.
5. Subtitle Support: SMPlayer offers comprehensive subtitle support, allowing users to load subtitles from external files or directly search and download subtitles from online sources.

Install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04

Utilizing the APT, or Advanced Package Tool, is an efficient way to handle packages on Ubuntu. APT simplifies managing software on Unix-like computer systems by automating software packages’ retrieval, configuration, and installation.

Update Ubuntu Before SMPlayer Installation

Before we begin the installation of SMPlayer, it’s crucial to update your Ubuntu system. This ensures that all existing packages are current, preventing potential conflicts arising from outdated software. You can accomplish this by running the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04 via APT Command

There are several ways to install SMPlayer; the best method for you will depend on your specific needs and the version of Ubuntu you’re running.

Option 1: Install SMPlayer from Ubuntu Repository

For most users, the most straightforward and safest method to install SMPlayer is directly from the Ubuntu repository. This approach ensures system compatibility and stability.

To install SMPlayer directly from the Ubuntu repository, use the following command:

sudo apt install smplayer

Option 2: Install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04 via APT PPA

An alternative method to install SMPlayer is using a Personal Package Archive (PPA). PPAs provide software that is not available in the official Ubuntu repositories or a more up-to-date version of the software.

To add the PPA to your system, run the following:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alex-p/smplayer -y

After adding a new PPA, updating your APT package list to include the newly available packages from the PPA is necessary. You can do this with the following command:

sudo apt update

Now, you’re ready to install SMPlayer along with its themes from the PPA using the following command:

sudo apt install smplayer smplayer-themes -y

This approach ensures you’re getting the latest features and improvements of SMPlayer. It’s a bit more involved than using the Ubuntu repository, but the benefits of having the most recent version of SMPlayer can outweigh the additional steps required.

Install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04 via Flatpak and Flathub

Flatpak is a versatile, next-generation technology for building and distributing desktop applications on Linux. It provides a sandbox environment where users can run applications in isolation from the rest of the system.

Step 1: Enable Flathub on Ubuntu For Applications (SMPlayer)

Before installing SMPlayer via Flatpak, enable the Flathub repository, the primary hub for applications packaged in the Flatpak format. Add Flathub as a remote repository in your Flatpak configuration by running the command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command grants your system access to the extensive application collection on Flathub, which includes SMPlayer.

Step 2: Install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04 via Flatpak Command

After enabling Flathub, proceed to install SMPlayer. Flatpak requires a unique application identifier for each application installation. For SMPlayer, use the identifier net.smplayer.SMPlayer.

To install SMPlayer using Flatpak, execute the following command:

flatpak install flathub info.smplayer.SMPlayer -y

Upon executing this command, Flatpak will fetch the latest version of SMPlayer from the Flathub repository and install it on your system.

Install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04 via Snap

The third option is to install SMPlayer with the natively installed Snapcraft package manager snapd. For new users of Ubuntu, Snap facilitates straightforward software installation.

Step 1: Install Snap on Your Ubuntu System

Ensure your Ubuntu system has Snap installed. Ubuntu usually comes with Snapd pre-installed. If not, use the following command for installation:

sudo apt install snapd -y

Step 2: Enable Classic Snap Support (Optional)

Some applications, including SMPlayer, require ‘classic’ Snap mode for optimal functionality, providing broader system access. Enable it with this command:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

Step 3: Install the Core Snap

Installing the core snap beforehand is necessary, as it supplies essential libraries and services for other snaps. Install it using:

sudo snap install core

Step 4: Install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04 via Snap

Now you can install SMPlayer with the command:

sudo snap install smplayer

This command instructs Snap to install SMPlayer on your system.

Launching SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04

With SMPlayer successfully installed, the next step is to enjoy its many features. There are several ways to launch the application, catering to command-line users and those who prefer graphical interfaces.

CLI Methods to Launch SMPlayer on Ubuntu

Users who prefer the command line can launch SMPlayer by simply typing the following command into the terminal:

smplayer

This command calls the executable file of SMPlayer, launching the application.

However, the command differs slightly for those who installed SMPlayer using Flatpak or Snap. To open SMPlayer, use the following command that matches your installation method:

flatpak run info.smplayer.SMPlayer

snap run smplayer

GUI Method to Launch SMPlayer on Ubuntu

Launch SMPlayer from the Applications menu if you prefer using the graphical interface. In Ubuntu, most desktop environments, like GNOME, offer an easy-to-navigate Applications menu that lists all installed software. To launch SMPlayer, navigate to:

Activities > Show Applications > SMPlayer

Starting Tips with SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04

Embarking on using a new multimedia player like SMPlayer offers excitement, though the myriad features and options can be daunting.

General Tips with SMPlayer on Ubuntu

Use Keyboard Shortcuts with SMPlayer on Ubuntu

SMPlayer provides numerous keyboard shortcuts to enhance your navigation and control speed significantly. Below are some frequently used ones:

• Space: Play/Pause the Video
• Right Arrow: Forward 10 seconds
• Left Arrow: Rewind 10 seconds
• F: Fullscreen toggle
• M: Mute/Unmute audio

Subtitle Download with SMPlayer on Ubuntu

SMPlayer integrates with the online OpenSubtitles database, allowing you to search for and download subtitles directly from the player. To use this feature, go to Subtitles > Find subtitles on OpenSubtitles.org.

SMPlayer Customization Tips on Ubuntu

Change SMPlayer Theme and Icons on Ubuntu

SMPlayer allows you to customize its look and feel by changing themes and icons. To do this, navigate to Options > Preferences > Interface, where you can select from various themes and icons to suit your taste.

Adjust SMPlayer Subtitle Appearance on Ubuntu

You can customize the appearance of your subtitles, including the font, color, and size.

Go to Options > Preferences > Subtitles to make these adjustments.

Other Tips with SMPlayer on Ubuntu

SMPlayer Screenshot Capture on Ubuntu

SMPlayer provides an easy way to capture screenshots from your Video. Simply navigate to Video> Screenshot to capture the current frame.

Play YouTube Videos with SMPlayer on Ubuntu

SMPlayer can stream YouTube videos directly. To do this, go to Open > URL, and paste the YouTube link.

Additional SMPlayer Commands with Ubuntu 22.04

Once you’ve installed SMPlayer on your Ubuntu system, knowing how to manage it is vital. This means updating the software regularly and understanding how to uninstall it when necessary. This section will guide you through these steps with clear instructions.

Update SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04

Keeping your SMPlayer installation up-to-date ensures you benefit from the latest features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Depending on your installation method, you can update the SMPlayer using either the APT package manager or Flatpak.

APT Update Method For SMPlayer on Ubuntu

If you’ve installed SMPlayer using the APT method, you can update it by running the following command:

sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade

This command updates SMPlayer and all other packages installed via the APT package manager, including system packages.

Flatpak Update Method For SMPlayer on Ubuntu

If you’ve installed SMPlayer via Flatpak, use the following command to update it:

flatpak update

Snap Update Method For SMPlayer on Ubuntu

Update Snapcraft installations through the CLI with the following command:

sudo snap refresh

Remove SMPlayer From Ubuntu 22.04

If you no longer need SMPlayer, you can uninstall it from your system. Like the update process, uninstallation also depends on your installation method.

APT Remove Method for SMPlayer on Ubuntu

If you’ve installed SMPlayer using the APT method, you can uninstall it using the following command:

sudo apt remove smplayer smplayer-themes

If you don’t plan to use the PPA again after uninstalling the software, remove it using the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:alex-p/smplayer -y

Flatpak Remove Method for SMPlayer on Ubuntu

If you’ve installed SMPlayer via Flatpak, use the following command to uninstall it:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data info.smplayer.SMPlayer

Snapcraft Remove Method for SMPlayer on Ubuntu

Lastly, for SMPlayer installations via Snapcraft, use the following command to remove the software:

sudo snap remove smplayer

FAQs to Install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04

Conclusion

We have gone through multiple steps on how to install SMPlayer on Ubuntu 22.04 in this tutorial.

If you have any queries you can ask them in the comments section and, we would be happy to respond to them.....