In this tutorial, we explain how to install Arduino IDE in Linux (Ubuntu). We are using Ubuntu 22.04. However, everything explained in this tutorial can be used for other versions of Ubuntu. The YouTube video accompanying this tutorial is given below.
STEP 1- Download
Go to the Arduino IDE Download page and download the Arduino file. You can do that by either “googling” Arduino download or directly go the official download page
https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
Search for a Linux download option, the downloaded file should look like this
arduino-ide_2.3.2_Linux_64bit.AppImage
Where the number “2.3.2” is the current number. In your case, this number might be different.
STEP 2- Create an Installation Directory, Copy File, and Configure
Create an Arduino directory in the home folder (you can also install it somewhere else if you wish). Open a terminal and type
mkdir Arduino
Then we need to copy the downloaded file from the download directory to the newly created directory.
cp ~/Downloads/arduino-ide_2.3.2_Linux_64bit.AppImage ~/Arduino
Make sure that the file is copied to the correct location
cd Arduino
ls -l
You should see the copied file in the folder.
Where the bold highlighted numbers represent the current Linux version. Open a command prompt and type
sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo apt install libfuse2
to install FUSE such that you can run the file without any problems. To be able to execute the file, we need to add the executable permissions to the file. To do that, we type
chmod +x arduino-ide_2.3.2_Linux_64bit.AppImage
To execute the file, we type
./arduino-ide_2.3.2_Linux_64bit.AppImage
This will start the Arduino IDE. Write the following code
void setup() {
// put your setup code here, to run once:
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
// put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
Serial.println("Hello World!");
}
Connect the Arduino by using the USB port. Click on Tools/Port and select the port. Then, select Tools/Board and select your board. Try to upload the code. You will see the following error
avrdude: ser_open(): can't open device "/dev/ttyACM0": Permission denied
Failed uploading: uploading error: exit status 1
To fix this error, you need to set the read/write permissions to the corresponding port. Close Arduino. First, open a terminal and type
ls -la /dev | grep ttyACM0
To confirm that the port exist. To set the read/write permissions, set the following
sudo usermod -a -G dialout <your username>
In my case, I type
sudo usermod -a -G dialout aleksandar
Then type:
sudo chmod a+rw /dev/ttyACM0
Finally, confirm the permissions:
ls -la /dev | grep ttyACM0
Next, let us start Arduino again. Type:
./arduino-ide_2.3.2_Linux_64bit.AppImage
Set the port and board number. Type the code, and upload the code. Open a Serial Monitor and “Hello World” will be displayed.
Next, we need to create a shortcut such that we do not need to start Arduino every time from a terminal window. Type
sudo apt install gedit
cd ~/.local/share/applications
gedit arduino.desktop
Type the following in the file
[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=Arduino IDE 2.3.2
Exec=/home/aleksandar/Arduino/arduino-ide_2.3.2_Linux_64bit.AppImage
This will create a shortcut. Click on “Show Applications” and search for Arduino. You will be able to start Arduino.