FFmpeg is a multimedia utility that allows users to record, convert, and stream audio and video. It is an important tool for content creators or developers who require manipulation of multimedia files. Installing FFmpeg on Debian 12 is straightforward and can be done using the default Debian repository or through Snapcraft. The process involves updating your package list, installing the necessary packages, and verifying the installation.
This article will teach you to install FFmpeg on Debian 12 through all the possible methods with detailed explanations.
Table of Content
How To Install FFmpeg in Debian 12
Method 1: Using the Default Debian Repository
Method 3: Compiling from Source
How To Uninstall FFmpeg in Debian 12?
How To Install FFmpeg in Debian 12
With FFmpeg installed on the Debian system, you can convert media files, stream audio and video, and perform various other multimedia tasks with ease.
Let’s install FFmpeg on Debian 12 via the below methods:
Method 1: Using the Default Debian Repository
On Debian 12, the easy method for installing FFmpeg is through the default Debian repository. Let’s install FFmpeg on Debian 12:
Step 1: Update Package Lists
Let’s update the repository lists for the latest packages that are in the repository:
sudo apt update
Step 2: Install FFmpeg
This method ensures that you install FFmpeg with all the necessary dependencies handled by the package manager. Let’s install FFmpeg using the apt:
sudo apt install ffmpeg -y
Step 3: Verify Installation
Now, you can authenticate it by verifying the installed version of FFmpeg:
ffmpeg -version
That is all from this section.
Method 2: Using SnapCraft
For users who prefer Snap packages, FFmpeg can also be installed using SnapCraft. This method is beneficial if you’re looking for a version of FFmpeg that might not be available in the default Debian repository.
Let’s install FFmpeg on Debian 12:
Step 1: Install Snapd
If you don’t have Snapd installed, you’ll need to install it first:
sudo apt install snapd -y
Step 2: Install FFmpeg
It is a versatile command-line tool that is essential for processing multimedia files such as audio, video, and streams. Once Snapd is installed, you can install FFmpeg from SnapCraft:
sudo snap install ffmpeg
Method 3: Compiling from Source
For advanced users who need the specific configurations or most recent features compiling FFmpeg from source is an option. Let’s install FFmpeg on Debian 12:
Step 1: Install Dependencies:
Before compiling FFmpeg, you need to install the required dependent packages:
sudo apt install apt-transport-https lsb-release ca-certificates build-essential git wget
Step 2: Clone FFmpeg Source
After that, clone the FFmpeg source code from the repository that is given below:
git clone https://git.ffmpeg.org/ffmpeg.git ffmpeg
Step 3: Compile FFmpeg:
Navigate to the cloned directory and compile FFmpeg:
cd ffmpeg ./configure
Note: To fix the nasm or yasm not found or too old error execute the sudo apt install yasm command that installs yasm on Debian 12.
Let’s complete the configuration for installing the ffmpeg on Debian 12:
make
Finally, utilize the make install command for installing the ffmpeg utility as below:
sudo make install
These are the primary methods for installing FFmpeg on Debian 12.
How To Uninstall FFmpeg in Debian 12?
For uninstalling FFmpeg on the Debian 12 system, here are the methods you can use:
Method 1: Using the APT Package Manager
The APT is the default method for uninstalling packages in Debian. Let’s remove FFmpeg using APT:
sudo apt purge ffmpeg -y
This command removes FFmpeg along with its configuration files.
To remove the dependent packages, you can use the below command:
sudo apt autoremove -y
Method 2: Using Snap Package Manager
If you’ve installed FFmpeg via Snap, you’ll need to use a different command to remove it:
sudo snap remove ffmpeg
This uninstalls the FFmpeg snap package from your system.
Method 3: Compiling from Source
For those who have compiled FFmpeg from the source, the uninstallation process is a bit more hands-on. After navigating to the directory where you compiled FFmpeg, you can use the make tool to uninstall it:
sudo make uninstall
Afterward, to remove all remaining files, you can delete the FFmpeg directory:
sudo rm -r ffmpeg
By following these methods, you can ensure that FFmpeg is completely uninstalled from your Debian 12 system.
Remember to always check which method you used to install FFmpeg in the first place, as this will determine the correct uninstallation procedure.
Conclusion
To install FFmpeg on Debian 12, you can use the default Debian repository or the Snap package manager. For the default repository method, open the terminal and execute sudo apt update to update the package lists. Then, install FFmpeg with sudo apt install ffmpeg -y. To verify the installation, use ffmpeg –version. Alternatively, for the Snap method, ensure snapd is installed with sudo apt install snapd -y, then install FFmpeg using sudo snap install ffmpeg. Both methods will provide you with a working installation of FFmpeg on Debian 12.
