How to Download and Install Terraria on Ubuntu

Terraria is available for Ubuntu through official Linux releases on Steam and GOG. Choose Steam for the simplest library, update, cloud and controller workflow; choose GOG if you want a DRM-free copy and an optional offline installer. There is no legitimate free Ubuntu download, and unofficial repacks or .deb files are a security and legal risk.

Can Terraria run natively on Ubuntu?

Yes. Terraria’s Steam listing identifies a SteamOS + Linux version, so the first launch attempt should use the native Linux build rather than Windows emulation. Valve’s store page still displays Ubuntu 14.04 LTS as the Linux operating-system requirement. That is a legacy storefront specification, not a recommendation to install an obsolete release.

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Use a current, supported 64-bit Ubuntu version with up-to-date graphics drivers. Proton is Valve’s compatibility layer for Windows games on Linux. It is generally unnecessary when Terraria’s native build works, but it is a sensible fallback if the native launch fails.

Terraria is commercial software. Obtain it from the official Steam page or GOG page; do not use torrents, cracks, “free full version” sites or random Linux packages.

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• customize your farmer: there are hundreds of character customization options to choose from!
• settle down and start a family: share life on the farm with 1 of 12 characters you can date and marry, and even have children with!.explore vast, mysterious caves! Encounter dangerous monsters and valuable treasures!.spend a relaxing afternoon at one of the local fishing spots: the waters are teeming with seasonal varieties of delicious fish. Craft bait, bobbers, and crab pots to help you in your journey toward catching every fish and becoming a local Legend!.

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Method 1: Install Terraria through Steam

Install Steam from Ubuntu’s App Center

1. Press the Super key.
2. Search for and open App Center.
3. Search for Steam.
4. Click Install.
5. Open Steam, then sign in or create a Steam account.

This is Canonical’s documented snap-based route: Ubuntu Steam installation instructions.

Install Steam from the terminal

On an Ubuntu installation with snap support, run:

snap install steam

Launch it from the application menu or with:

snap run steam

Ubuntu normally supplies the required snapd support. If snap is not found, use Ubuntu’s supported snap setup or the official Debian-package route below.

Optional: Valve’s official .deb package

If you prefer a Debian package, download steam_latest.deb from Valve’s Steam-for-Linux documentation. You can open it with Ubuntu Software, or install it with:

sudo apt install gdebi-core
gdebi steam_latest.deb

Do not substitute a third-party mirror for Valve’s package.

Buy and install Terraria

1. In Steam, search the Store for Terraria, or open its official app page.
2. Purchase the game and open Library.
3. Select Terraria, click Install, choose a library location and accept the default configuration.
4. Wait for the download to finish, then click Play.

The US Steam page showed $9.99 when checked; regional pricing, tax and sales can change the final amount. The listing also advertises features such as achievements, Steam Cloud, online co-op and controller integration, with availability dependent on your platform and account settings.

Method 2: Install Terraria from GOG

GOG’s official Terraria page lists Linux support and describes the game as DRM-free. GOG Galaxy is optional, and an offline installer is available, making this route preferable if you want to keep an installer and avoid a required game client.

1. Buy the Linux-compatible edition on GOG.
2. Open your GOG account library and download the Linux installer or offline installer package.
3. If you choose Galaxy, install through that client. Otherwise, use the downloaded shell installer.
4. In Terminal, change to the download directory and make the installer executable:

chmod +x Terraria*.sh

5. Run it:

./Terraria*.sh

The filename can change. If the wildcard does not match, replace it with the exact filename shown in your Downloads folder and follow the installer’s prompts. The US GOG page showed $9.99 when checked; prices and discounts vary by country and date.

Ubuntu and Terraria system requirements

These are the requirements currently published on Steam for Terraria itself:

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• Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
• Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
• Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout

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Those unusually old figures describe the game listing, not every requirement of a modern Steam installation. Valve’s current Steam-for-Linux documentation calls for a 64-bit Ubuntu or Ubuntu LTS system, an x86_64/AMD64 kernel and CPU, both 64-bit and 32-bit graphics drivers, about 5 GB for the Steam client and related data, and glibc 2.31 or newer (the documented threshold from August 15, 2025). Older distributions such as Ubuntu 18.04 may therefore be affected.

• Use a supported 64-bit Ubuntu release.
• Install current Ubuntu updates and a supported NVIDIA, AMD or Intel driver.
• Keep several gigabytes free for Steam, runtimes, updates, shader caches and user data; 200 MB is only the published game figure.
• Have internet access for storefront installation and updates.
• A keyboard and mouse are sufficient; a controller is optional.

If Terraria will not start

Steam installation or update problems

• If Terminal reports snap: command not found, enable snap support or use Valve’s official .deb route.
• Check internet access, system time and free disk space if Steam cannot update.
• Upgrade an obsolete Ubuntu release. The Steam client’s current glibc and 64-bit requirements are separate from Terraria’s old store-page specification.
• Confirm that both 64-bit and 32-bit graphics drivers are installed through Ubuntu’s supported driver tools.

The game installs but does not launch

1. Close and reopen Steam, then restart Ubuntu.
2. In Library, right-click Terraria, choose Properties, open Installed Files and run Steam’s file-verification option.
3. Try the default storage device if a secondary drive produces permissions or sandbox errors.
4. Test the native build first. If it still fails, right-click Terraria, choose Properties > Compatibility, enable Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool, select a current Proton version or Proton Experimental, and restart Steam.
5. For the Steam snap, try the interfaces recommended by Canonical:

snap connect steam:hardware-observe
snap connect steam:system-observe

6. Check ProtonDB for reports matching your GPU and Ubuntu release.

Canonical’s troubleshooting guidance is at Ubuntu Steam troubleshooting.

Audio, graphics or frame-pacing issues

Update Ubuntu and the GPU driver, then test native and Proton configurations separately so you know which change helped. Avoid copying launch options without knowing which build and graphics backend they target. To capture Steam output, add this launch option:

%command% > $HOME/game_log 2>&1

The Steam snap places the resulting log in its game-log location documented by Canonical.

Removing the Steam snap completely

Removing the snap can leave a large data snapshot containing the Steam library. If you intentionally want to erase Steam and its snap data, run:

snap remove --purge steam

This is destructive: back up anything you need first.

Steam or GOG?

Steam and GOG purchases are PC editions. They do not automatically include Android, iOS, Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo versions. Multiplayer features listed by Steam do not guarantee compatibility with every mod, server or cross-platform setup.

The Bottom Line

For most Ubuntu users, install Terraria from Steam on a current 64-bit Ubuntu release and try the native Linux build first. Choose GOG instead when a DRM-free offline installer matters more than Steam’s integrated updates and cloud features.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Stardew Valley (Nintendo Switch)

become a part of the local community: get to know all 30+ residents of Pelican town!

$33.99

Bestseller No. 2

ARK: Survival Evolved - Nintendo Switch

$34.90

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.