How do I install flatpak apps systemwide via command-line?

Question

I know that --user is enabled by default in Hera 5.1.7. But is it possible at all to install flatpaks system-wide for all users by command-line?

I have tried

$ sudo flatpak install --system com.github.wwmm.pulseeffects
Looking for matches…
error: No remote refs found similar to ‘com.github.wwmm.pulseeffects’

whereas

$ flatpak install com.github.wwmm.pulseeffects
Looking for matches…
Found similar ref(s) for ‘com.github.wwmm.pulseeffects’ in remote ‘flathub’ (user).

Is system-wide installation disabled completely? Is there a way to enable it for command-line installs?

Answer 1

You have to add remotes separately for user and system installations. This same thing caused me a bit of confusion. The error message you received indicates that you probably just need to set up a system remote. To add Flathub as a system remote you would use the following command.

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

Then just use sudo and the --system flag when running system-wide Flatpak commands. For example, the following command installs PulseEffects system-wide.

$ sudo flatpak install --system flathub com.github.wwmm.pulseeffects

Once a system remote has been configured, Flatpaks can be installed system-wide directly from AppCenter. Just note that it might require a restart for the option to appear.