Optimizing Chrome and Chromium on Fedora 35: A Guide to Persistent Flags

For Fedora 35 users, getting Chrome or Chromium to play nicely with Wayland, especially regarding hardware acceleration, can sometimes feel like a puzzle. One common hurdle is ensuring the correct flags are applied every time you launch the browser. While Arch Linux offers straightforward configuration file locations, Fedora requires a slightly different approach. This article dives into how to set persistent flags for Chrome and Chromium on Fedora 35, ensuring those crucial settings are always in place.

The Hardware Acceleration Challenge on Wayland

Hardware acceleration issues with Chrome and Chromium on Wayland are well-documented. To enable hardware acceleration and improve performance, users often need to launch the browser with specific runtime flags. The challenge? Making these flags persistent so you don't have to enter them manually each session.

Where to Store Persistent Flags on Fedora 35

Unlike Arch Linux, Fedora 35 doesn't readily recognize configuration files in the typical ~/.config/chromium-config.conf or ~/.config/chrome-config.conf locations. So, where do you store those persistent flags?

Unfortunately, the original post does not provide the answer. We can offer the following suggestions:

• Modify the .desktop file: The most reliable method involves modifying the .desktop file for Chrome or Chromium. This file is responsible for launching the application and allows you to add flags directly to the execution command.
  • Locate the .desktop file: These files are typically found in /usr/share/applications/ for system-wide installations or ~/.local/share/applications/ for user-specific installations. Look for files named google-chrome.desktop or chromium-browser.desktop.
  • Edit the Exec line: Open the relevant .desktop file with a text editor (using sudo if you're modifying the system-wide file). Find the line that starts with Exec= and append your desired flags to the end.
    • Example: Exec=/usr/bin/google-chrome-stable %U --enable-features=UseOzonePlatform --ozone-platform=wayland
  • Save the file: Save the changes to the .desktop file. You may need to log out and back in for the changes to take effect.
• Chrome Flags Page: You can enable certain features using the chrome://flags page.

Important Considerations

• Backup: Before modifying any system files, it's always wise to create a backup. This allows you to easily revert changes if something goes wrong.
• Updates: Browser updates can sometimes overwrite changes made to .desktop files. Keep an eye on this and reapply your flags if necessary after an update.
• Testing: After applying the flags, thoroughly test your browser to ensure the desired effect is achieved and no unexpected issues arise.
• Consult the Community: If you encounter problems, consult the Fedora community forums or the Chrome/Chromium help pages. Other users may have faced similar issues and found solutions.

Conclusion

While Fedora 35 might not offer the same straightforward configuration as some other distributions, setting persistent flags for Chrome and Chromium is still achievable. By modifying the .desktop file, you can ensure that your browser launches with the necessary flags for optimal performance, especially regarding hardware acceleration on Wayland. Remember to back up your files, test thoroughly, and stay informed about potential update-related changes.