Show APT Instead of Flatpak by Default on Software App

[sglbl]

Hello, whenever I download a package from the Software, it shows the Flathub's Flatpak version by default instead of Zorin OS' apt/deb version.

Is there a way to make apt/deb default one? Most of the apps I use have some weird problems with flatpak versions.

Also, many flatpak apps are not even official such as Spotify. The snap and .deb version of it is official app but software recommends the flatpak version.

Examples:
https://www.spotify.com/uk/download/linux/
https://brave.com/linux/#flatpak

[Aravisian]

I just remove the snap and flatpak plugin for Gnome Software:

sudo apt remove gnome-software-plugin-flatpak gnome-software-plugin-snap

If you really want a Flatpak, you can get it directly from Flathub.

[Forpli]

I would really like that too. The default behavior causes so many problems for people switching to Linux. Unfortunately, the order of the displayed package formats can no longer be changed via the dconf editor; or rather, the command doesn't return an error, but it doesn't work.
(at org>gnome>software>packaging-format-preference).
The only solution is to completely remove the plugins for the other package formats like snaps and flatpaks from GNOME Software or to run

flatpak remote-modify flathub --disable

to disable flathub. I found no solution yet to change the sort order to .deb packages at first position.

[Ponce-De-Leon]

A User wrotes something to sort the Order:

Interesting Snap & Flatpak Installed By Zorin 17

You may have accidentally installed a program via snap thanks to Ubuntu prioritising it over literally everything else, because you will use it you will like it or they'll hunt you down. They even do disgusting, scummy things like turning native packages for software you try to install manually via apt into stubs that install the snap packages instead. The first one they did this with, iirc, was Chrome. Not even the open source Chromium base project, they bait-and-switched people with actual Goo…

I tried that in the Past but unfortunately it didn't worked. Maybe it works for You. It should be worth a Try.

[sglbl]

@Aravisian

I just remove the snap and flatpak plugin for Gnome Software:

I removed the gnome-software-plugin-flatpak package (I need to keep snap because some apps still make you deal with adding GPG keys, dearmoring them, messing around with trusted keyrings, manually editing sources.list or dropping files into sources.list.d, updating everything, and hoping nothing breaks… instead of just installing the thing and being done like a normal package manager.)

But even after doing that I still see flatpak as an option.

@Forpli

flatpak remote-modify flathub --disable

@Forpli this solution removed flatpak from the list, thank you.
@AZorin @zorink For the future changing the default option might be nice.

[Ponce-De-Leon]

@sglbl

I removed the gnome-software-plugin-flatpak package

@sglbl

But even after doing that I still see flatpak as an option.

When removed, You have to reboot. Did You do that?

[swarfendor437]

The problem really exists because Team Zorin named the packages Zorin (APT). So it uses alphabet sorting. If Zorin were removed, APT would be the first option all the time. APT has been around much longer than Team Zorin.

[StarTreker]

@swarfendor437

APT has been around much longer than Team Zorin.

Since March 31st, 1988 to be exact. Literally, the oldest, most trustworthy, and dependable source, to installing/removing software. Flatpack installation might be quicker/easier, but it requires more storage space.

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