How to Enable RPM Fusion Repositories on Fedora (Free & Non-Free)

Fedora is renowned for its commitment to free and open-source software, yet this dedication often leads to the exclusion of essential multimedia tools, drivers, and utilities due to various licensing and patent restrictions. For users looking to expand their software capabilities, enabling the RPM Fusion repositories becomes imperative. RPM Fusion provides a wider array of packages—including open-source (Free) and redistributable but not open-source (Nonfree) software—thus bridging the gap for users needing proprietary drivers and multimedia codecs. This article will guide you through the process of enabling RPM Fusion on Fedora, whether you prefer command-line or graphical methods.

Enabling RPM Fusion Repositories Using the Command Line

The command line offers a reliable and efficient way to enable RPM Fusion, ensuring compatibility across different Fedora editions and desktop environments.

1. Open a Terminal Window: Ensure you have administrator privileges to install repositories.
2. Install the RPM Fusion Free Repository: Run the following command to add the open-source repository, which Fedora cannot ship directly: sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm This command downloads and installs the relevant release package for your specific Fedora version.
3. Install the Nonfree Repository: To gain access to additional redistributable software that is not open source, execute: sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
4. Confirm Repository Signature: Upon your first package installation from RPM Fusion, dnf may ask you to confirm the repository’s signature. Review the prompt and confirm to continue.
5. Temporary Repository Access: If you need to enable a repository for a single installation without making permanent changes, use the --enablerepo flag. For instance, to install a package only from the Nonfree repository, execute: sudo dnf --enablerepo=rpmfusion-nonfree install packagename This method helps keep your enabled repositories minimal, preventing potential package conflicts.

Enabling RPM Fusion Repositories Using the Graphical Method

For users who prefer a graphical interface, Fedora provides an effective way to enable RPM Fusion through the Software Install application. This is especially user-friendly on the Gnome desktop environment.

1. Visit the RPM Fusion Configuration Page: Open your web browser and navigate to RPM Fusion Configuration.
2. Download the Repository File: Click on “RPM Fusion free for Fedora [your version]” to fetch the repository file that corresponds to your Fedora release.
3. Open the File with Software Install: When prompted, select the Software Install application to launch Fedora’s Software tool, showcasing the installation screen for the repository package.
4. Install the Repository: Click the “Install” button to add the repository to your system.
5. Repeat for Nonfree: If you require proprietary or redistributable software, repeat the installation process for the Nonfree repository.

After installation, both the Software application and terminal will have access to the newly added repositories.

Enabling RPM Fusion Repositories on Ostree-Based Systems

For Fedora Silverblue, Kinoite, and Fedora IoT users, which utilize ostree for system management, enabling RPM Fusion necessitates a different approach.

1. Open a Terminal: Run both the Free and Nonfree repositories installation commands: sudo rpm-ostree install https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
2. Reboot Your System: Apply the changes by rebooting with: systemctl reboot

For newer releases, you may need to adjust repository packages accordingly; consult the Fedora documentation for more tailored steps based on your specific edition.

Setting Up AppStream Data for Graphical Package Browsing

To enable visibility of RPM Fusion packages in graphical package managers such as Gnome Software or KDE Discover, installing AppStream metadata is essential.

1. Update Core Groups: Run the following command to fetch AppStream data: sudo dnf group upgrade core
2. Install AppStream Data for Fedora 41 and Later: sudo dnf install rpmfusion-*-appstream-data

This step ensures that graphical package managers can showcase software from the RPM Fusion repositories.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Occasionally, repository installation may fail due to expired SSL certificates or misconfigured mirrors. If you encounter errors such as “SSL certificate problem: certificate has expired,” consider downloading repository files directly from the main RPM Fusion download site rather than a redirected mirror:

sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-40.noarch.rpm https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-40.noarch.rpm

If the Software application does not display RPM Fusion packages, verify that you have updated the AppStream data as outlined previously.

Conclusion

Enabling RPM Fusion repositories in Fedora significantly enhances your access to a diverse range of software, allowing you to install multimedia tools, proprietary drivers, and more. Whether you prefer the command line or a graphical interface, this guide provides all the necessary steps to expand your software capabilities. By following these procedures, you can maximize your Fedora experience and access the software you need.