How To Install Discord Arch

Discord is a proprietary communication platform for voice, video, and text chat. Arch Linux provides Discord through the community repository. Install the desktop client for system notifications and better integration.

Prerequisites for Installing Discord on Arch

Update your system before installing any package. Run this command:

$ sudo pacman -Syu

Partial upgrades are not supported on rolling release distributions.

Installing Discord Using Pacman

Install Discord from the official Arch repository:

$ sudo pacman -S discord

Launch Discord from the application menu or terminal:

$ discord

Installing Discord Using AUR Helpers

The Arch User Repository offers additional Discord packages. Install an AUR helper first.

Using Yay

Install yay if not present:

$ sudo pacman -S --needed git base-devel
$ git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
$ cd yay
$ makepkg -si

Install Discord through Yay:

$ yay -S discord

Select your preferred Discord version from the available options.

Available Discord Versions

Package	Description
discord	Official stable version
discord-canary	Testing version with new features
discord-ptb	Public test build
discord-electron	Uses system Electron

Installing Discord Using Flatpak

Flatpak provides sandboxed applications. Install Discord as Flatpak:

$ flatpak install flathub com.discordapp.Discord

Launch the Flatpak version:

$ flatpak run com.discordapp.Discord

Installing Discord Using Snap

Install the snapd package from AUR:

$ git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/snapd.git
$ cd snapd
$ makepkg -si

Enable the snapd socket:

$ sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

Create a symbolic link for classic snap support:

$ sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

Install Discord through Snap:

$ sudo snap install discord

Log out and back in for path updates to take effect.

Fixing the Discord Update Issue on Arch

Discord refuses to launch when a new version exists. The message displays: “Must be your lucky day, there’s a new update!”

Method 1: Disable Update Check

Create or edit the configuration file:

$ nano ~/.config/discord/settings.json

Add this content:

{
  "SKIP_HOST_UPDATE": true
}

Save and close the file. Discord will skip version checks.

Method 2: Build Package from Source

Install build tools:

$ sudo pacman -S devtools

Clone the Discord package repository:

$ pkgctl repo clone --protocol=https discord

Navigate to the directory:

$ cd discord

Edit the PKGBUILD file. Update the pkgver value to match the current Discord version. Build and install:

$ makepkg -si

The custom-built package replaces the repository version until the next system update.

Method 3: Edit Build Information

Locate the Discord binary:

$ file $(which discord)

Navigate to the resources folder. Edit build_info.json:

$ sudo nano /opt/discord/resources/build_info.json

Update the version number to match the current release. Save changes.

Removing Discord from Arch

Remove Discord installed via Pacman:

$ sudo pacman -Rns discord

Remove Flatpak version:

$ flatpak uninstall com.discordapp.Discord

Remove Snap version:

$ sudo snap remove discord

The -Rns flag removes the package, dependencies, and configuration files.