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Installation of TeamViewer on Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus Linux

TeamViewer is a popular cross-platform remote desktop application that allows users to access, control, and collaborate on devices remotely. Whether you need to provide technical support, access your home computer from work, or collaborate with team members, TeamViewer offers a user-friendly interface and robust features like file transfer, screen sharing, and secure connections.

While Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) is no longer supported by Canonical (end-of-life since April 2021), many users still rely on it for legacy systems. This guide will walk you through installing TeamViewer on Ubuntu 16.04, ensuring you can set up remote access quickly and securely.

2026-02

Table of Contents#

  1. Prerequisites
  2. Installation Methods
  3. Launching TeamViewer
  4. Troubleshooting Common Issues
  5. Uninstalling TeamViewer
  6. Conclusion
  7. References

Prerequisites#

Before starting, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

  • Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) installed and running. Verify with: 
    lsb_release -a
    You should see Description: Ubuntu 16.04.x LTS.
  • Internet connection: To download the TeamViewer package and dependencies.
  • Sudo privileges: You need administrative rights to install software.
  • 64-bit or 32-bit system: TeamViewer provides packages for both architectures. Check your system type with: 
    uname -m
    • x86_64 = 64-bit
    • i686 or i386 = 32-bit

Installation Methods#

This method uses Ubuntu’s graphical interface to download and install TeamViewer, ideal for users uncomfortable with the command line.

Step 1: Download the TeamViewer .deb Package#

  1. Open your web browser (e.g., Firefox) and navigate to the TeamViewer Linux Download Page.
  2. Under "Linux," select Ubuntu from the dropdown menu.
  3. Choose your system architecture:
    • For 64-bit: Select "64-bit .deb (Ubuntu, Debian)"
    • For 32-bit: Select "32-bit .deb (Ubuntu, Debian)"
      Note: TeamViewer may auto-detect your architecture, but verify it matches your system.
  4. Click "Download" and save the .deb file (e.g., teamviewer_15.xx.x_amd64.deb) to your Downloads folder.

Step 2: Install the .deb Package#

  1. Open the Downloads folder (via Files → Downloads).
  2. Locate the downloaded .deb file (e.g., teamviewer_15.xx.x_amd64.deb).
  3. Double-click the file. This will launch the Ubuntu Software Center.
  4. Click the Install button in the top-right corner.
  5. When prompted, enter your user password (sudo password) and click "Authenticate."

Step 3: Resolve Dependencies (If Needed)#

If the Software Center reports missing dependencies, it will attempt to download and install them automatically. If not, proceed to the Troubleshooting section for fixes.

Method 2: Command-Line Installation (Advanced Users)#

For users comfortable with the terminal, this method is faster and more efficient.

Step 1: Update Package Lists#

First, ensure your system’s package lists are up-to-date:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Download the TeamViewer .deb Package#

Use wget to download the TeamViewer .deb file directly from the official server. Replace the URL below with the latest 64-bit or 32-bit link from the TeamViewer Download Page.

  • For 64-bit systems:

    wget https://download.teamviewer.com/download/linux/teamviewer_amd64.deb -O ~/Downloads/teamviewer.deb

  • For 32-bit systems:

    wget https://download.teamviewer.com/download/linux/teamviewer_i386.deb -O ~/Downloads/teamviewer.deb

Step 3: Install the Package with dpkg#

Navigate to the Downloads folder and install the package using dpkg:

cd ~/Downloads
sudo dpkg -i teamviewer.deb

Step 4: Fix Missing Dependencies#

If dpkg reports errors like "unmet dependencies," resolve them with:

sudo apt install -f

This command installs any missing packages required by TeamViewer.

Launching TeamViewer#

Once installed, launch TeamViewer using one of these methods:

From the GUI:#

  1. Open the Applications Menu (Ubuntu logo in the top-left corner).
  2. Search for "TeamViewer" and click the icon to launch it.

From the Terminal:#

Run the following command:

teamviewer

First Launch Setup#

  • On first launch, TeamViewer will prompt you to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). Click "Accept" to proceed.
  • You’ll see the TeamViewer main window, displaying your TeamViewer ID (unique to your device) and Temporary Password (auto-generated for security). Share this ID and password with the remote user to allow access to your machine.

Troubleshooting Common Issues#

1. "Unmet Dependencies" Error#

If installation fails due to missing dependencies, run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -f

2. TeamViewer Fails to Launch#

  • Check if TeamViewer is running in the background: 
    ps aux | grep teamviewer
    If a process is stuck, kill it with: 
    sudo killall teamviewer
  • Reinstall TeamViewer: 
    sudo apt remove teamviewer && sudo apt install teamviewer

3. Connection Issues#

  • Ensure both devices have an active internet connection.
  • Check firewall settings: TeamViewer requires outbound connections on ports 5938 (TCP) and 443 (HTTPS). If using ufw, allow these ports: 
    sudo ufw allow 5938/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp

4. "TeamViewer Not Supported on This OS" Warning#

Ubuntu 16.04 is end-of-life, but TeamViewer may still work. Ignore the warning and proceed—functionality is often unaffected.

Uninstalling TeamViewer#

To remove TeamViewer from your system:

Via Command Line:#

sudo apt remove teamviewer

To remove residual files (optional):

sudo apt purge teamviewer

Conclusion#

Installing TeamViewer on Ubuntu 16.04 is straightforward using either the GUI or command line. By following these steps, you can quickly set up remote access to your Ubuntu machine for support, collaboration, or personal use. Always download TeamViewer from the official website to ensure security and avoid malware.

References#