Methods to Install Mutt on Linux: Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, openSUSE, CentOS

Even today, some people look for simple email clients that can handle automation. Yes, in the Thunderbird, Gmail, and Evolution era, people still want something simple like Mutt, a terminal-based Linux client. If you too favor the command line, then surely, you will appreciate the simplicity Mutt brings to your emailing.

The tool can be used for major email services like Gmail, allowing you to access your mailbox within the terminal. Since Mutt is so useful, we have prepared this article to explain how to install Mutt on different distributions of Linux.

Table Of Contents

What is The Mutt E-Mail Client?

As mentioned previously, Mutt is a command line-based email client. It is a simple yet equally powerful email client that allows you to read, receive, and send emails within the terminal, on any Unix-based system. Furthermore, the client also supports POP and IMAP protocols. You can also enjoy Mutt with a colorful GUI to send and receive email. It is a user-friendly tool that also offers the following:

Mutt Mail Agent

Mutt Features

Very easy to install and configure
Available with most Linux distros
Allows you to send emails from the terminal
You can also add BCC and CC to your emails
Supports mail threading
Offers mailing lists
Different mailbox formats like Maildir, Mbox, MH, and even MMDF
Multi-language support
DSN or Delivery Status Notification enabled

How to Install Mutt on Linux?

If you visit the official website of Mutt, you will find the installation guide. You can follow that to install Mutt without any worries. We will list that method first and then proceed to other alternatives. Here’s how you can install Mutt:

Step 1. First, you will require a group with the name mail. You need to create it with the following command:

sudo groupadd -g 34 mail

Step 2. Now, modify the ownership of the group:

chgrp -v mail /var/mail

Finally, you can install Mutt by simply using the following command:

Step 3. Ready the file:

sed  -e 's/ -with_backspaces//' \
     -e 's/elinks/links/'       \
     -e 's/-no-numbering -no-references//' \
     -i doc/Makefile.in

Step 4. Now configure and build the application:

./configure --prefix=/usr                            \
            --sysconfdir=/etc                        \
            --with-docdir=/usr/share/doc/mutt-<VERSION>\
            --with-ssl                               \
            --enable-external-dotlock                \
            --enable-pop                             \
            --enable-imap                            \
            --enable-hcache                          \
            --enable-sidebar

Step 5. Use the MAKE command to compile it

make

Step 6. Finally, install the package:

sudo make install

And that’s it. However, you can still use several other methods to install this automated yet simple email client on your Linux distro by following the methods mentioned below:

Method 1. Install Mutt On Linux From Source

As usual, you can build the application from the source, using the Git repository. You can either download the source code from the official Mutt website or clone it from Git.

If you download it then:

Step 1. First, use the TAR command to extract it:

tar -xvzf mutt-<VERSION>.tar.gz

Step 2. Then, locate the directory and compile it using the following command:

cd mutt-<VERSION>
./configure 
make 
sudo make install

OR, you can use the following command to clone the file from Git:

wget http://ftp.mutt.org/pub/mutt/mutt-<VERSION>.tar.gz

Step 1. Then, extract it using TAR:

tar -xvzf mutt-<VERSION>.tar.gz

Step 2. Locate the directory where you extracted the file:

cd mutt-<VERSION>

Step 3. Configure the files:

./configure

Step 4. Use the MAKE command to pack it:

make

Step 5. Finally, install it:

sudo make install

Method 2. Using Native Linux Repositories

As we said previously, Mutt is available in most Linux distributions. Thus, you can run the native repositories to install Mutt. We have listed various distros and instructions for them:

On Ubuntu and Debian:

Step 1. Since you can use APT on Ubuntu and Debian, first update the repository:

sudo apt update

Step 2. Then install Mutt with the command:

sudo apt install mutt

On RHEL/CentOS:

Step 1. First, update the package:

sudo yum update

Step 2. Now install Mutt:

sudo yum install mutt

On Fedora:

You can use the DNF repository on Fedora-based systems:

sudo dnf install mutt.

On Arch Linux:

Run the PACMAN repo to install Mutt:

Step 1. Update the package:

sudo pacman -Syu

Step 2. Install Mutt:

sudo pacman -S mutt

On OpenSUSE:

sudo zypper install mutt

On Gentoo:

sudo emerge -av mutt

Method 3. Using Snap

Snap is a package manager for Linux. You can use it to install application packages with all the necessary dependencies. We are showcasing Snap for Ubuntu, detailing how to install Snap and then use it to install Mutt:

Note: Snap can be installed from the Ubuntu Software Centre by simply searching for Snapd.

Or, you can use the terminal to install Snap on Ubuntu. Here’s how:

Step 1. First, update the APT repo:

sudo apt update

Step 2. Then, install Snap:

sudo apt install snapd

Step 3. Then, install Mutt:

sudo snap install mutt

And that’s it, you are done. Do give Mutt a try if you love a simplistic email client with automation and a command terminal window.

Method 4. Install Mutt on Linux using Flatpak

Alternatively, you can also run Flatpak, (if supported by your distribution) to quite easily install the software on the system. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. First, start by installing Flatpak if it’s not already installed.

sudo apt install flatpak

Step 2. Now, add the Flatpak repository

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Step 3. Finally, install Mutt using Flatpak:

flatpak install flathub io.github.mutt

Method 5. Using Homebrew (Exclusive for Linuxbrew)

Step 1. Install Homebrew on your system:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Step 2. Now install Mutt:

brew install mutt