How to convert RPM to Deb package using Alien Software?


Linux is complicated for different reasons you may find various differences when you move from one distribution to another. RPM and Deb are two different file formats used in Linux.

RPM is the installation package format for Red Hat Enterprise Linux(RHEL) and other distributions such as CentOS, SUSE Linux, Rocky Linux, etc that are based on RHEL. Debian-based distributions such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Kali Linux use the deb package format for the installation of software packages.

You can not install an RPM package on Debian-based distributions or a Deb package on RPM-based distributions because doing so may lead to dependency conflict. However, you can install an RPM package on a Debian-based distribution by converting it into Deb package format.

In this article, I will discuss how to convert RPM to Deb package format by using Alien software.

Installing Alien on Ubuntu

Alien is a tool that translates an RPM package into a Deb package and vice versa. It is available in the Universe repository so to install it on a Ubuntu system first you need to enable this repository –

Use the following command to enable the Universe repository on your system –

sudo add-apt-repository universe

Next, run the command to refresh the apt package repository –

sudo apt update

Finally, use the given command to install Alien on your system –

sudo apt install alien

Press y and then enter when it asks for your confirmation.

You can verify the installation by using –

alien --version

alien version

Converting RPM to Deb package format

Let’s say we want to convert the TeamViewer RPM package to the deb package then first download the TeamViewer RPM package from its official download page.

Once the RPM package is downloaded, use the following command to convert it into the deb package format –

sudo alien <package_name>.rpm

For example –

sudo alien teamviewer.x86_64.rpm

convert rpm to deb

You will see a message that the deb file is generated successfully as you can see in the above image.

Now you can install this generated deb file by using the dpkg command in your Ubuntu or in a distribution based on it –

sudo dpkg -i teamviewer_15.28.8-1_amd64.deb

Note:- Always prefer to use the deb package which is given officially for the installation of an application on your system

Conclusion

We hope you have successfully installed Alien and are able to convert a package from RPM to Deb package format. Now if you have a query or feedback then write us in the comments below.

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