.. include:: defs.txt

.. _librem_5_software:

Installing New Applications
===========================

.. image:: images/org.gnome.Software.svg
   :width: 128
   :align: right
   :alt: The Software application icon

The **Software** application provides an easy-to-use graphical interface for searching, installing and uninstalling applications and other software packages. It can also be used to manage and show information about system updates.

.. contents::
   :local:

Locate the icon shown above in the app drawer and press it to launch the application.

Getting Started
---------------

When you run **Software**, it shows a page like the one shown below, with a list of **Categories** above the **Recent Releases**.

.. image:: images/software-categories.png
   :align: center
   :scale: 50%
   :alt: The Software start page, giving access to all available applications

The header bar contains a search button that can be used to :ref:`search for applications <librem_5_software_searching>` and a |menu| (menu) button that allows you to :ref:`add new software sources <librem_5_software_sources>`.

At the bottom of the screen, you can choose between three modes:

.. image:: images/software-modes.png
   :align: center
   :scale: 50%
   :alt: The three modes that can be selected

These modes are used to perform different tasks:

 1. **All** allows you to browse all the applications, including those you have installed and those that are available to download.
 2. **Installed** shows only the :ref:`applications that have been installed <librem_5_software_installed>`, either as system defaults or by you.
 3. **Updates** shows the applications and other components that require updating, and allows you to :ref:`update them individually or as a whole <librem_5_software_updating>`

The following sections describe how to perform some common package management tasks.

.. _librem_5_software_installed:

Showing Installed Applications
------------------------------

Select the tab for the **Installed** mode at the bottom of the screen. The installed software page shows the applications and components that have been installed on the phone.

.. image:: images/software-installed.png
   :align: center
   :scale: 50%
   :alt: The Software installed software page

Each of the installed applications can be uninstalled by pressing the |remove| (remove) button to the right of the application's name and icon. You will be asked to confirm that you wish to uninstall the application.

.. _librem_5_software_searching:

Searching for Applications
--------------------------

On the **All** page, you can find a search button at the left edge of the header bar. Pressing this button causes a search bar to appear. The on-screen keyboard should also appear, allowing you to enter keywords.

.. image:: images/software-search-start.png
   :align: center
   :scale: 50%
   :alt: Opening the search bar

Enter the search terms for the application you are looking for. The page will update to show appropriate matches as you enter text, finding applications based on their metadata.

.. image:: images/software-search-results.png
   :align: center
   :scale: 50%
   :alt: Searching for an application

Once you have found a suitable application, select it in the list of search results to show more information about it. You can always return to the search results by pressing the back button at the top-left of the screen.

Installing an Application
-------------------------

Once you have found an application you want to install, you can review the description, software license and other details on its information page.

.. image:: images/software-install-app.png
   :align: center
   :scale: 50%
   :alt: Viewing an application's information

You may then choose to install the application by pressing the **Install** button, or press the back button at the top-left of the screen to return to the search results.

When you decide to install the application, progress on the installation process is reported above the description of the application.

.. image:: images/software-installing-app.png
   :align: center
   :alt: Installing an application

When the application has finished installing, you can launch it immediately by pressing the **Launch** button. If you changed your mind, you can also remove it by pressing the **Remove** button. You will be asked for confirmation before the application is uninstalled.

.. image:: images/software-installed-app.png
   :align: center
   :alt: Ready to launch an installed application

Installed applications are available in the app drawer, so you do not need to use **Software** to launch them.

.. _librem_5_software_updating:

Updating Applications
---------------------

It is a good idea to update applications and other components regularly to ensure that you have the latest versions of them. These should contain fixes for any problems that have been reported by users and developers.

.. image:: images/software-updates.png
   :align: center
   :scale: 50%
   :alt: The Software updates page

Each application that requires an update can be updated individually by pressing the button on the right hand side of its name. The amount of data that will be downloaded is shown below this button.

Alternatively, you can press the **Update All** button to update all applications that require updates. *Note that this may require large amounts of data to be downloaded.*

When you update an application, the button to the right of it becomes an update indicator which shows the progress being made to download new data.

.. image:: images/software-updating-app.png
   :align: center
   :alt: Updating a component

The application or component will be removed from the list of updates after it has been updated.

You can configure how updates are handled by opening the application menu and selecting the **Update Preferences** item.

.. image:: images/software-menu.png
   :align: center
   :alt: Opening the application menu

Selecting this item opens a page that allows you to configure how updates are performed.

.. image:: images/software-update-preferences.png
   :align: center
   :alt: The Update Preferences page

When you have adjusted the options, press the back button to return to the previous view.

.. _librem_5_software_sources:

Adding New Software Sources
---------------------------

Packages can be downloaded from a variety of sources. To configure these, open the menu by pressing the |menu| (menu) button at the top-right of the scren.

.. image:: images/software-menu.png
   :align: center
   :alt: Opening the application menu

Select the **Software Repositories** item to launch a separate tool for adding, removing and configuring the remote repositories containing software that can be downloaded.
