This guide shows how to install the up‑to‑date Element desktop client on a clean Debian 11 Bullseye system by adding Matrix.org’s official APT repository instead of using the outdated version from Debian’s default repos. You create /etc/apt/sources.list.d/matrix.list with the repository line, import the GPG key via curl … | gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/matrix-org-archive-keyring.gpg, then run sudo apt update && sudo apt install element-desktop to pull Element and all required dependencies. After installation you launch element‑desktop, configure your homeserver (e.g., matrix.org or a self‑hosted URL), and optionally enable “Run at startup” in the app’s settings. Because the external repo is now registered, future apt upgrade commands will automatically keep Element current without needing snaps, Flatpaks, or manual tarballs.

Install Element Matrix Client on Debian 11 Bullseye

In this short guide you’ll get the official Element desktop chat client (formerly Riot) up and running on a clean Debian 11 Bullseye install. We’ll add the upstream repository, pull in the GPG key, then use apt to pull the package – no snap, flatpak or weird work‑arounds required.

Add the official repository

Debian’s default repos only carry an old 1.x version of Element that lacks many UI improvements. The Matrix.org team provides a stable APT source for current releases.

echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.matrix.org/debian/ bullseye main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/matrix.list > /dev/null

Why this matters: putting the repo in its own file keeps it separate from the distro list, making future clean‑up easier if you ever decide to drop Element.

Import the signing key

Apt refuses unsigned packages. Grab the Matrix.org GPG key and add it to your trusted store:

curl -fsSL https://packages.matrix.org/debian/matrix-org-archive-keyring.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/matrix-org-archive-keyring.gpg

If you skip this step you’ll see “The following signatures couldn’t be verified” and the install will abort.

Update package list and install

Now refresh apt’s cache so it sees the new source, then pull Element:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install element-desktop

During the install apt pulls a few extra libraries (libqt5gui5, libgnutls30, etc.). I once tried to drop the .deb on a fresh Bullseye box and got an error about libgnutls30 missing – using the repo avoids those dependency headaches because apt resolves them automatically.

First‑run configuration

Launch Element from your menu or with element-desktop. The first time it starts you’ll be asked which homeserver to use. If you’re on a public server just type matrix.org; for self‑hosted setups enter the URL of your own homeserver.

You can also set Element to start automatically at login by enabling “Run at startup” in the Settings → General tab – handy if you keep it open all day.

Optional: Keep Element up‑to‑date

Because we added an official repo, regular apt upgrade will pull newer Element releases as they appear. No need to chase down tarballs or reinstall manually.

That’s it. You should now have a fully functional Matrix client that looks decent and stays current without extra bloat.