Convert flatpak packages to APT versions through an upgrade process.
Convert flatpak packages to APT versions through an upgrade process.
so im kind of a newbie but recently got more comfortable on linux. i jad downloaded many apps from flatpak not knowing they were inefficient. now i got ssd space and speed but you know the linux folks, we like to squeeze some performance. so i was wondering if there was an easy way to delete flatpak apps and download them with apt instead.
It seems flatpaks aren't inherently inefficient; the issue lies in how they package dependencies instead of sharing them across applications. Removing an app via flatpak uninstall can resolve conflicts.
It’s not straightforward to make this process automatic. There are major variations between flatpak names and package names, and different distributions might label the same app differently. I haven’t checked if any such tool exists, but I think it would be pointless for developers aiming for cross-distro compatibility. If one does exist, I respect the creator. You might try the flatpak CLI to extract the last part of each installed app ID, then use "apt-cache search" to see if a matching package appears. For instance, Discord’s Flatpak ID is “com.discordapp.Discord.” Running that command strips it to “discord,” which you can compare with available packages. Naming isn’t always consistent—Spotify’s ID “com.spotify.Client” becomes just “client,” making it unclear. At least this gives a starting point; you could clean the output, remove nonsensical parts, and feed the rest to APT to check what’s available. Outside of extra storage usage, Flatpak apps aren’t especially inefficient, though some can only be found via Flatpak or Snap. A benefit is consistent behavior across distros, which helps with updates. However, not all Flatpak or Snap apps are official, and some may carry hidden risks if bundled with other software. Proceed with caution and verify everything.
You're unlikely to find a fully automated solution, but using the flatpak list command followed by manual checks of "apt show APPNAME" can help confirm availability. For instance, a flatpak labeled with ID "com.github.Matoking.protontricks" appears as "protontricks" in apt, which is installable. Be aware that Debian flavors may have outdated PPA repositories, affecting the versions accessible via flatpak. Many developers maintain their own PPA sites for newer releases, allowing you to use apt for stable updates while exploring alternatives for specialized requirements. As discussed earlier, opting for apt is generally better for most software installations.
It mainly serves as a search tool for package information without displaying the full details, unlike "apt show" which shows comprehensive descriptions. You can also combine results from "flatpak list" with "apt-cache search" to filter by keywords, though there may be limitations such as the Spotify example mentioned earlier. Personally, I lean toward Flatpak over PPAs or standard repository entries, as they tend to work better across Ubuntu-based systems. Most PPAs are optimized for Ubuntu and may not always list dependencies correctly for Debian or other derivatives.