Follow this guide for help installing Shadow on Ubuntu. Before installing Shadow on Ubuntu, check our other device requirements for this operating system.

Later in this guide, we'll also cover how to add Wayland support if you're using the Wayland display server protocol.

How to install Shadow on Ubuntu

Step 1: Download the AppImage

1. Download the launcher from the Shadow website.

2. An AppImage will start downloading. Look for the AppImage in the location downloads are usually saved to.

Step 2: Install package files

1. Start the AppImage you downloaded, by double-clicking the file or executing the following command:
   

   ./Shadow.AppImage

2. Install the following packages:
   

   sudo apt install libva-glx2 libvdpau1 libva-drm2 libcurl4 libva-wayland2

Shadow will not work properly without installing the packages above.

Step 3: Add to input group

For the best Shadow experience, we recommend adding your user to the input group:

sudo usermod -a -G input $USER

Log out to apply the changes, then log back in.

How to add Wayland support

Shadow uses the Wayland display server protocol on the Ubuntu application. If Shadow detects Wayland has been installed on the user's computer, it will use this protocol by default. Although Wayland is compatible with Shadow, there are three configurations we recommend adding to take better advantage of this protocol.

Step 1: Activate the "uinput" module

Execute the following command to solve problems causing the curser to lock:

echo "uinput" > /etc/modules-load.d/uinput.conf

Step 2: Give Shadow permission to use the "input" module

1. Create the following file if it does not already exist:

   /etc/udev/rules.d/65-shadow-client.rules

2. Add the following content:

   KERNEL=="uinput", MODE="0660", GROUP="shadow-input"

Step 3: Add the user to the shadow-input group

Execute the following command:

usermod -a -G shadow-input $USER

Once you've completed all three steps, start your local computer.