I tried installing MangoHUD, but I always encounter some kind of problem that prevents me from continuing. I watched several YouTube videos about it, and it only confused me more! I understand that distros differ slightly from one another during installation! Am I correct? And when I searched for MangoHUD, I came across something called MangoJuice! Are they the same thing?
I got MangoHUD working on my Zorin Pro 18 installation by installing GOverlay (Zorin OS edition) from the Software app.
Mangohud is included in the install and you configure it via the GOverlay software which will find in your Application list post installation.
To get the Mangohud overlay to appear in my Steam Game (Hunt Showdown 1896 - proton experimental), I updated the game's Steam launch options to "mangohud gamemoderun %command%".
Even though the GOverlay application reports in the lower left corner of its configuration interface that MangoHud is missing, Mangohud is installed which you can confirm by running "which mangohud" from the commandline.
And MangoJuice is another interface to configure MangoHUD, much like GOverlay.
I went with GOverlay because Zorin provides a Zorin OS edition within the Software app, so I imagine that it has been blessed by the developers.
Note: Be sure to choose the Zorin OS edition rather than Flatpak.
I didn't try the Flatpak version so I cannot speak for how easy it would be to configure.
My advice is to stick with the Zorin OS version if it works for you.
I installed Mangohud, Goverlay, and Mango Juice.
I don't know exactly what to do now. The only thing I did was add the command mangohud %command% to the game's startup in Steam. But when I add this command in Steam, the game doesn't load. It only loads if I remove the command. I don't know what else to do. It's getting too complicated...
I HEAR YOU
I sympathise how things get complicated quickly.
I suspect you have installed Flatpak versions of Steam, Mangohud, Goverlay, MangoJuice and therefore by default the applications are restricted from communicating with each other.
FLATPAKS
Flatpak installed applications run in sandboxes which create a security boundary (think similar to a firewall that you must open up) between applications. Great for security, not so much for keeping things simple.
I avoided this complexity by installing the native Zorin OS versions of Steam and Goverlay (not Flatpak versions) available in the Store app.
I recommend getting back to a place of safety and reduced complexity.
TIMESHIFT
If you haven't already, I recommend installing the TimeShift (Zorin OS version) application available in the Store.
If you are familiar with Windows restore points, TimeShift is similar in that it allows you to take a snapshot of your Linux system, then if things break or get out of hand as you experiment and make changes, you can safely retreat and restore back to a known good state to start over.
I attach a screenshot of my TimeShift history in which you can see I take snapshots and label them prior to messing with my system.
If I reach a point where I feel I've lost control, I restore from the TimeShift snapshot taken prior to my messing around so I may start over fresh.
Before starting with my recommendations below, make sure you have tested TimeShift and are happy with it. Snapshots are no good if you do not know how to restore.
I recommend not having TimeShift snapshot your home folder and documents - by default it doesn't.
RECOMMENDATION (to get MangoHud working)
Please through everything below before commencing so you have the full picture.
!!! This all comes with the usual caveats that I'm not a substitute for professional support and I provide no warranties... you accept that you are performing at your own risk... etc. etc.
I recommend the following:
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Install TimeShift and take a snapshot of your system
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Apply updates to your system.
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Reboot
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In Steam, back up your Steam games to an external drive (just in case as I do not know your configuration and uninstalling the flatpak version of Steam may also remove your installed games if they are installed within the sandbox)
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Uninstall Steam, MangoHUD, Goverlay, and MangoJuice (assuming all of these are Flatpak versions)
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Reboot
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Take another snapshot of your system using TimeShift
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Install the ZorinOS version of Steam Installer (available in the Store)
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Get Steam working to your satisfaction. Games launch, etc.
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Take another TimeShift snapshot.
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Reboot
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Install GOverlay (ZorinOS version) from the Store.
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Reboot (I do not remember if this is necessary)
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Launch GOverlay which will now appear in your installed apps
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Within GOverlay, choose the MangoHud vertical tab on the left.
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Choose the Extras horizontal tab at the top
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Select Compact from the Quick Layouts section
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You will know if MangoHud is working because pressing + F12 will turn the Hud on and off in the right-hand mini display within the app's interface.
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Configure your Steam game to use MangoHud by updating the Launch Options to "mangohud %command%"
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Run the game to see if MangoHud appears for you.
Note:
Within Steam I'm forcing "Proton Experimental" for Compatibility.
Also games must use either Vulkan or OpenGL drivers for MangoHud to work.
Hope this does the trick for you.
If not, you can always revert to a last known good configuration using TimeShift restore.
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Also, make sure you are logging into Zorin OS using X11, and not Wayland.
Under Wayland, my NVIDIA GPU information does not display in the HUD.
Here is how I got it to work (Mangohud)
Install Goverlay from the Software App (Blue Icon) supplied with Zorin OS and
type the following command(s) from the Terminal:
1.) sudo apt-get update (Note: resync packages/repositories)
2.) sudo apt install mangohud (Note: Installs mangohud)
3.) flatpak install org.freedesktop.Platform.VulkanLayer.MangoHud
Note: The 3rd terminal command "flatpak install" installs the runtime for mangohud. Before you run this you can start goverlay and the program will tell you what version of the runtime is needed.
Also Note: when you type in: flatpak install org.freedesktop.Platform.VulkanLayer.MangoHud the output will look like this:
Scotty@Scotty-Zorin:~$ flatpak install org.freedesktop.Platform.VulkanLayer.MangoHud
Looking for matches…
Similar refs found for ‘org.freedesktop.Platform.VulkanLayer.MangoHud’ in remote ‘flathub’ (system):
- runtime/org.freedesktop.Platform.VulkanLayer.MangoHud/x86_64/21.08
- runtime/org.freedesktop.Platform.VulkanLayer.MangoHud/x86_64/22.08
- runtime/org.freedesktop.Platform.VulkanLayer.MangoHud/x86_64/23.08
- runtime/org.freedesktop.Platform.VulkanLayer.MangoHud/x86_64/24.08
- runtime/org.freedesktop.Platform.VulkanLayer.MangoHud/x86_64/25.08
Which do you want to use (0 to abort)? [0-5]: 5
By the way: I chose Option #5, the version that goverlay indicated it needed when I first ran the program before installing the mangohud runtime.
Now mangohud works on Steam (Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur's Gate 3, Etc) and Star Citizen.
-Hope this helps
Screenshot below: (Note: some GPU info missing as I prefer to use Wayland)
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Update:
I was able to fix the GPU Stats not being displayed in mangohud by fixing multiple issues:
1.) Disabled Integrated Graphics in BIOS & that allowed Overlay & Steam Games that used the Flatpak Runtime Version of Mangohud to work & Display GPU stats.
2.) Updated base install of mangohud from the old distribution Version 0.6.9.1-2build1 to the latest and greatest 0.8.2... This fixed minor bugs (including missing GPU stats, temp, etc) with mangohud for NON-Steam games.
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