How to Install and Configure pCloud on Linux - Saint (2024)

Wondering How to Install and Configure pCloud on Linux?

pCloud is a service that allows the storage of files online. That is to say, pCloud lets users upload files and then access them over the internet after providing authentication. It was established in Switzerland in 2013. It’s supported by Linux, macOS, and Windows Operating Systems.

You may want to save on space on your computer’s hard drive. pCloud helps with that by storing your data online. The app stores your data securely, for instance, it uses zero-knowledge encryption. This encryption allows only the owner of the files to decrypt them.

pCloud provides 10GB of storage for free, and a user can pay for 2TB of storage for a lifetime plan. Some of the features it offers include: managing your account and backups, syncing folders, creating shares, and encrypting files. In this guide, we will learn How to Install and Configure pCloud on Linux.

Download pCloud.

Before installing and configuring pCloud, we need to download the binary file and store it in our system. In the same vein, we need to create an account on pCloud to access the files stored online.

Here is how you can download the pCloud BIN file:

1. Go ahead and download pCloud from their official website. A window should open. Click on Linux at the top.

2. Now, from the dropdown menu, Choose your version, which is either 32-bit or 64-bit, depending on your system architecture.
   

3. When you are done with that, a pop-up window will open, click Save File, and pCloud will start downloading.

Command Line (CLI) Installation.

This is one of the methods used to install and set up pCloud. It involves using the Command Terminal.

Here is how you can install and configure pCloud using the command line:

1. Start by opening your Command Terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

2. Now, go to the location where your pCloud binary file is stored. In this case, it’s in the Downloads folder. Now, type the command below:

$ cd Downloads

3. Then, apply the X attribute to the binary file to make it executable and run as a program. We do this by using the chmod command.

$ chmod +x pcloud

4. It is advisable to move it from the Downloads folder as files in this folder can easily be discarded.

Therefore, we will copy it to the /usr/lib/ folder using the command below. Note that we use sudo to gain access to files that require administrative privileges.

$ sudo cp pcloud /usr/lib/

5. Next, you will be prompted to enter your password to continue.

6. Now, go to the lib folder to access the pCloud executable file.

$ cd /usr/lib/

7. After that, type the command ‘./pcloud‘ on your Terminal to launch the pCloud app.

8. A window opens on your screen. Go ahead and enter your username and password to log in to your pCloud account.
   

pCloud App Launcher.

Once you have installed pCloud using the command line method above, now go ahead and configure it. This involves creating a pCloud app shortcut on your desktop. In other words, you can now use the method below to launch pCloud.

Here is how you can create a pCloud app launcher:

1. Go ahead and open your Command Terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

2. Now, go to the applications directory by using the command:

$ cd /usr/share/applications.

3. Then, create pcloud.desktop using the command below. You can use any editor, and for this example, we’ll use the nano editor.

$ sudo nano pcloud.desktop /usr/share/applications

4. Next, paste the content below in the file created.

[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Name=pCloud
GenericName=pCloud
Comment=Client app of pCloud Drive
Type=Application
Categories=Graphic;VectorEditor;GTK;
Exec=pcloud %U
TryExec=pcloud
Terminal=true
Icon=

5. When you are done, press Ctrl + x to close the file.

6. Lastly, Press Y, then hit Enter to save.
   

See Also

pCloud - Cloud storage for Linux

You can now access the pCloud app on your desktop. Search for it on the search bar, and it appears on the search results.

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Installation.

If you do not want to use the command line method, then this method is for you. It uses the Graphical User Interface to set up pCloud.

Here is how to install and configure pCloud using GUI:

1. First, navigate to the folder where you saved the pCloud binary file. In our case, it’s in the Downloads folder.

2. Now, right-click on the file, then click Properties from the menu.

3. The Properties pop-up appears. Go ahead and select Permissions at the top, then check Allow this file to run as a program.
   

4. The file is now executable. Double click on it, and a window will open. Go ahead and enter your credentials to log in to your pCloud account.
   

5. Once you’re logged in, you will get the welcome screen shown below. Now, pCloudDrive also appears under the Devices menu. The pCloud icon also appears on your taskbar.
   

6. After that, when you click on pCloudDrive, a window opens. The files and folders in this drive will be synced with your pCloud account.
   

7. Finally, pCloud allows you to add more folders to your Drive. It lets you sync the folders in your hard drive with your drive online.

8. You can do this by searching for the app in the desktop search bar, then double-click on it. The window below opens, now click on Sync. Go ahead and click Add New Sync to sync the new folders.
   

That’s it! We have covered setting up pCloud using Graphical User Interface.

Above all, these folders on pCloudDrive do not consume space on your PC. That is to say, it works like a remote file on your system.

We have come to the end of our guide. In conclusion, we have learned about multiple ways How to Install and Configure pCloud on Linux. If you have any questions or suggestions, let us know in the comment section below.