How to Install Telegram on Parrot OS

Telegram is a popular messaging application known for its security and speed. If you’re using Parrot OS, a Debian-based Linux distribution designed for security professionals, you might need to install Telegram manually due to network or repository issues. This guide will walk you through three different methods to install Telegram on Parrot OS.

Method 1: Install Telegram via APT (Recommended)

This is the easiest and most straightforward method, as Telegram is available in the Debian repositories.

Steps:

1. Update your system to ensure all packages are up to date: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
2. Install Telegram Desktop using APT: sudo apt install telegram-desktop -y
3. Launch Telegram by running: telegram-desktop

If the installation fails due to a repository issue, try an alternative method below.

Method 2: Install Telegram via Flatpak

Flatpak provides an easy way to install applications in an isolated environment. This method is useful if the APT package is outdated.

Steps:

1. Install Flatpak if it’s not already installed: sudo apt install flatpak -y
2. Enable the Flathub repository: flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
3. Install Telegram using Flatpak: flatpak install flathub org.telegram.desktop -y
4. Run Telegram: flatpak run org.telegram.desktop

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Method 3: Install Telegram Manually (Official Binary)

If you want the latest version directly from Telegram’s official website, you can install it manually.

Steps:

1. Download the official Telegram package: wget -O telegram.tar.xz "https://telegram.org/dl/desktop/linux"
2. Extract the downloaded file: tar -xf telegram.tar.xz
3. Move Telegram to /opt/ (optional, but recommended for better organization): sudo mv Telegram /opt/telegram
4. Create a symlink for easier access: sudo ln -s /opt/telegram/Telegram /usr/local/bin/telegram
5. Run Telegram: telegram

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue 1: DNS Resolution Error (Unable to Download Telegram)

If you get an error like:

wget: unable to resolve host address ‘telegram.org’

It means your system has trouble resolving domain names. To fix this:

1. Check your internet connection by running: ping -c 4 8.8.8.8
   • If the ping works, it’s a DNS issue.
   • If the ping fails, check your internet connection.
2. Change your DNS settings:
   • Open the DNS configuration file: sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf
   • Add the following lines: nameserver 8.8.8.8 nameserver 8.8.4.4
   • Save and exit (CTRL + X, then Y, then ENTER).
3. Restart networking services: sudo systemctl restart networking
4. Try downloading Telegram again.

Issue 2: Telegram Not Launching After Installation

If Telegram doesn’t start, try running it from the terminal:

telegram-desktop

If you installed via Flatpak:

flatpak run org.telegram.desktop

If there’s an error, reinstall Telegram using one of the alternative methods above.

Which Installation Method Should You Choose?

Method	Pros	Cons
APT	Simple, quick installation	May not have the latest version
Flatpak	Isolated environment, updated versions	Slightly larger in size
Manual	Always the latest version	Requires manual updates

Installing Telegram on Parrot OS is easy if you follow the right method. If you’re looking for the quickest way, go with APT. If you need a sandboxed installation, Flatpak is a great choice. And if you want the latest version, installing manually is the best option.

Whichever method you choose, you’ll be able to use Telegram on Parrot OS without any issues.