Snap is Canonical’s universal package format for Linux. It lets developers build their software once for users on multiple Linux distributions to use.
At least, that’s the theory.
In reality, few Linux distributions outside of the Ubuntu ecosphere support Snap out of the box. Most carry the underlying Snap daemon package (snapd) in the repositories, so it’s possible for users who want to use snaps, to do so.
Linux Mint takes a different approach to that, however.
Ubuntu-based it may be, riding the Ubuntu repos and benefitting from the ongoing bug, security, and other patches Canonical’s engineers push out, but Mint is not a fan of snaps.
The default install of Linux Mint 20 and later contains a config file to prevent snap packages from being installed at all, whether accidental (by a transition package in the Ubuntu repos) or intentional (a user wanting to).
But this can be overcome.
The Mint team has its own reasons about why it doesn’t support snaps (it lets you use DEB and Flatpak OOTB). But they do not stop you from using Snaps if you really want to. The ‘roadblock’ they put in place? More of a warning sign than a brick wall.
So if you to use Snap apps on Linux Mint, you can – this guide shows you how.
