As you may know, QOwnNotes is a free, open-source text editor with support for markdown, todo list manager features and integrations for ownCloud and Nextcloud.
The notes you create are stored on your desktop, as plain text files, but they can also be synced to Nextcloud via Nextcloud connect.
Also, it has support for various scripting languages and allows the users to place the scripts in a repository, so they can be easier used.
The latest version available is QOwnNotes 25.1.3, which brings only small improvements to the previous version.
From the release notes:
- The –help-all option will now not be shown in the help command line function, because it didn’t do anything
- The hard-coded shortcuts Ctrl+PgDown and Ctrl+PgUp for switching between notes in the note list were removed, because users can set those shortcuts themselves and they will be in the way for using them otherwise
- Added more Russian translation (thank you, catmenmilota)
How to install QOwnNotes 25.1.0 on Ubuntu 24.10, Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 22.04 and derivative systems via PPA:
To install QOwnNotes on Ubuntu, follow these steps:
(Optional) Step 0: Update Your System
The apt update && apt upgrade command is essential for package management in Ubuntu and other Debian-based Linux distributions. It ensures that your system has the latest software updates and security patches, preventing compatibility issues and vulnerabilities. The && operator allows both commands to run in sequence, meaning apt upgrade executes only if apt update completes successfully.
What Does apt update Do?
The apt update command refreshes the list of available packages. It does not download or install updates but instead queries the configured repositories to fetch the latest package versions. Running this command ensures that the system is aware of the newest software versions before installation or updates.
What Does apt upgrade Do?
The apt upgrade command installs the latest available versions of the installed packages. It updates software while keeping dependencies intact, ensuring a smooth upgrade process. However, it does not remove or install new packages. If an update requires changes that involve removing or replacing packages, apt full-upgrade may be needed.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yStep 1: Add the QOwnNotes Repository
QOwnNotes is not included in Ubuntu’s default repositories, meaning it cannot be installed directly using the standard apt install command.
To access the latest version of QOwnNotes, you need to add the official Personal Package Archive (PPA) provided by the developer.
A PPA is a third-party software repository that allows users to install and update applications that are not available in the main Ubuntu package sources. By adding this repository, your system will be able to fetch and install QOwnNotes just like any other package managed through apt.
To add the official QOwnNotes repository, run the following command in the terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pbek/qownnotesWhen prompted, press Enter to confirm adding the repository. This step registers the new software source in Ubuntu, allowing the package manager to recognize QOwnNotes as an installable application.
Step 2: Update the Package List
After adding the QOwnNotes repository, your system does not automatically recognize the newly available package. To ensure that Ubuntu acknowledges the newly added PPA and retrieves the latest package information, you need to update the package list. This is done using the following command:
sudo apt updateThis command refreshes the list of available software by querying all the repositories configured on your system, including the newly added QOwnNotes PPA.
Without running apt update, Ubuntu would still rely on outdated package information and would not recognize QOwnNotes as an installable application. By updating the package list, your system ensures that it can fetch the latest version of QOwnNotes when you proceed with the installation.
Step 3: Install QOwnNotes
Now that the QOwnNotes repository has been successfully added and the package list has been updated, you can proceed with the installation. This step involves using the apt install command, which downloads and installs the QOwnNotes package along with any necessary dependencies. To install QOwnNotes, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt install qownnotes -yThe -y flag automatically confirms the installation, allowing the process to continue without requiring user input. If omitted, the system will prompt you to confirm the installation manually. This command ensures that QOwnNotes is installed correctly and is ready to use on your Ubuntu system.
Step 4: Launch QOwnNotes
Once the installation is complete, you can start using QOwnNotes immediately. To launch the application from the terminal, simply run the following command:
qownnotesThis will open the QOwnNotes interface, allowing you to begin creating and managing your notes. Alternatively, if you prefer a graphical approach, you can find QOwnNotes in the Applications Menu of your desktop environment.
Simply search for “QOwnNotes” and click on the icon to open the program. From there, you can explore its features, customize settings, and integrate it with Nextcloud for seamless synchronization.
(Optional:) Remove QOwnNotes
If you no longer need QOwnNotes and want to remove it from your system, you can do so using the apt remove command. This will uninstall the application while keeping any configuration files intact, in case you decide to reinstall it later. To remove QOwnNotes, run:
sudo apt remove qownnotes -yIf you want to completely remove QOwnNotes, including all associated configuration files, use the apt purge command instead:
sudo apt purge qownnotes -yAdditionally, if you also wish to remove the PPA repository that was added earlier, you can use the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:pbek/qownnotesFinally, to clean up unused packages and free up disk space, it’s a good practice to run:
sudo apt autoremove -yThis ensures that any unnecessary dependencies installed with QOwnNotes are also removed, keeping your system clean and optimized.
