Alex Ruben
How To Fully Uninstall the Firefox Snap Package on Linux Ubuntu
If Firefox keeps auto-updating via Snap or just refuses to play nice, removing that Snap version might be the way to go. Sometimes, the system stubbornly sticks to the Snap, even after uninstalling, and that’s when it gets annoying. Doing this can help boost performance, eliminate weird bugs, and give more control over your Firefox installation. This guide covers the steps to ditch the Snap version once and for all, so you can run Firefox the way you want — whether via APT or manual install. Fair warning: mess with Snap and removal can sometimes leave leftovers, so follow carefully.
Check if Firefox is installed as a Snap package
How to verify if Firefox is running as a snap
- Open your terminal — think Ctrl + Alt + T or just search for “Terminal” in your apps menu.
- Type in:
snap list firefox
If it shows up, it’s a snap. If it doesn’t, then Firefox isn’t installed as a snap — and you can skip to the part about reinstalling without Snap. Be aware that sometimes, Firefox can be installed via PPA or manually, but the command above covers most cases.
Remove the Firefox Snap Package
Getting rid of the snap version
- Run:
sudo snap remove firefox
This command basically tells snap to uninstall Firefox. Sometimes, it’s quick, sometimes not — on some setups, you hit a snag, but most of the time it works. You’ll be prompted to enter your administrator password, so do that, and wait for the process to finish. After this, Firefox should be gone from snap, but check if there’s still leftover data.
Clean up leftover snap data and user files
Delete any remaining Firefox data in Snap’s folders
- Run:
rm -rf ~/snap/firefox
This deletes any remaining configuration or data stored in your home directory related to the snap. If you don’t do this, the next install or the same Snap might re-import stuff, causing confusion. It’s weird how Snap keeps these files lingering even after removal, but yeah, this step clears that out. On some machines, this might throw an error if the folder doesn’t exist, so don’t panic if it does.
Purge any APT-installed Firefox version
Remove the non-snap version to prevent conflicts
- Run:
sudo apt purge firefox
This is critical because even if you’ve removed the Snap, Ubuntu might still have a Firefox version installed via APT. Purging it ensures you don’t get confused by multiple versions or accidental reinstallation via update commands. Some users report that leftover configs stay behind, so if you’re trying to make a clean start, consider deleting `~/.mozilla` and `~/.cache/mozilla` folders afterward.
Remove Snapd entirely (if desired)
Kill off Snap dependencies from your system
- Run:
sudo apt purge snapd
Warning: removing Snapd might break some other apps that depend on it, but if you’re sure, it’s the quickest way to eliminate Snaps from your system. This command will wipe out the Snap daemon and associated services, freeing up space and removing future Snap updates. Note: Sometimes, you might want to disable Snap instead of removing it, especially on Ubuntu versions that heavily rely on it. But yeah, if you’re keen, this is the way to go.
Final cleanup with autoremove
Clear out unused dependencies
- Run:
sudo apt autoremove
This is just housecleaning to tidy up any dependencies that were installed when installing Snap or Firefox but are no longer needed. It’s a good idea to keep your system lean, especially if you’re trying to streamline things or troubleshoot unnecessary bloat.
Reinstall Firefox sans Snap
Options for installing Firefox without Snap
- Use the Mozilla PPA to get the latest Firefox straight from their servers. Run:
- Then update your system and install:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mozillateam/ppa
sudo apt update && sudo apt install firefox
Or, if you prefer, just grab the latest .deb installer directly from the Mozilla website. Download, run the installer, and you’re good. No Snap, no fuss.
Extra tips & potential pitfalls
If removal doesn’t go smoothly, double-check that no other snaps or dependencies are hanging around. Sometimes, a reboot or, bizarrely, uninstalling snapd forces the system to fully refresh. Also, keep in mind that certain system updates might reinstall snapd or Firefox if you’re not careful, so monitor your system’s state if you plan to keep things clean long-term.
Wrap-up
Removing Firefox from Snap isn’t always straightforward, but once it’s gone, your system feels snappier, and you get more control over updates and customizations. Just keep an eye on leftover data or configs if you want a totally fresh start. And if you ever want to reinstall, sticking to official PPA or .deb packages is a cleaner way to go. A lot of users find this approach tidies things up, especially if Snap just doesn’t sit well with their workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why bother removing Snap packages?
They can slow things down, make troubleshooting harder, and sometimes cause conflicts or weird bugs. Plus, some people dislike the confinement and constant background updates.
Can Firefox come back via Snap after removal?
Yeah, if you want, you can always reinstall it through Snap again, but most avoid that after removing it, especially if they prefer a standard install.
What if errors pop up during removal?
Make sure you’re running with sudo and that no other Snap applications are trying to use Firefox. Sometimes, a reboot helps clear locked files or processes.