LINE is a messaging program kind of like WhatsApp, but it has a desktop client. However, this desktop client only runs on Windows. On Linux, it has to run under Wine, which allows running Windows programs (some) inside the Linux environment. Caveat: sending stickers does not appear to work.
UPDATE 7. JULY 2015: Since this post, my version of LINE has been updated to 4.0.3.367, and it looks like stickers work now!
UPDATE 31. JULY 2016: Looks like in July 2015, LINE released a Chrome app. Users of Chrome can just use that extension instead of using this method: Link
Running LINE in Ubuntu 14.04
- Install Wine
sudo apt-get install wine
- Install VC++ 2008 Redistributable
winetricks vcrun2008
- Download and install LINE for Windows
Without installing the VC++ 2008 Redistributable, LINE would intermittently crash (even though it was able to start correctly). This worked on my Ubuntu 14.04 x64 system.
LINE Version: 3.9.1.188
Wine Version: 1.6.2
V. July 7, 2015
Hey, this helped a lot. Thanks!
henrypoon July 7, 2015 — Post Author
Glad to help!
Coleman Morrissey February 4, 2018
How do I get through the Microsoft EULA page of Configuring ttf-mscorefonts-installer. Have to agree but no way to do so?
henrypoon February 4, 2018 — Post Author
Hmm I don’t recall what I did or whether I saw it at all… Sorry
Gondrong September 22, 2015
Hey dude, it’s work but not work stikers in Line version 4.1.2.525. how to fix??
henrypoon September 22, 2015 — Post Author
Sorry dude I don’t have a fix. They just worked for me. I’ve got the same version too.
Gondrong September 23, 2015
Ok no problems. you use the which the version?
henrypoon September 23, 2015 — Post Author
I’m using the same version as you
Danger Radcliffe December 2, 2015
So on my last Ubuntu machine, LINE was able to run very well through Wine as though it were completely independent of Wine, but on my newer machine, LINE only seems to run, and run very poorly, in the Wine virtual desktop, which is something I’d never encountered until recently. Any idea how to rig it so LINE no longer uses the virtual desktop and instead runs like a standalone program?
Danger Radcliffe December 2, 2015
So, I am an idiot. And for all other idiots out there, who struggle with the pain of VD, just go into Wine config and uncheck the box that emulates a virtual desktop.
henrypoon December 4, 2015 — Post Author
Interesting, you didn’t go through PlayOnLinux. I like using PoL because it’s able to keep each program instance separate their own virtual drives.
ilman January 18, 2016
HELP!
it cant complete my installation. stack at Execute: “C\Program Files\LINE\LineAppMgr.exe” -regfw.
I use ubuntu 14.04 x86
henrypoon January 18, 2016 — Post Author
Hmm.. Not sure how I can help since I haven’t encountered anything like that. Maybe try to wait it out?
fachrulpbm July 30, 2016
What about the Line in Chromium Apps? It’s easy to install and it doesn’t require Wine or Windows stuff.
Just open your Chromium, go to Settings, get more Extensions, find Line messenger, and install it!
I just try it on my Lubuntu 16.04 and it works 🙂
henrypoon July 31, 2016 — Post Author
Ah looks like this method is obsoleted now. Looks like the Chrome extension got released a few months after I wrote this post! Thanks for the tip!
AIS March 21, 2017
I did as you said and I installed the Line extension for chromium but it just shows me a blank page
henrypoon March 24, 2017 — Post Author
The LINE extension works fine for me. Perhaps it’s because you’re using Chromium and not Chrome (they’re different).
ram August 8, 2016
thank you very much! this is so useful for my lubuntu running on hp mini 210!
henrypoon August 9, 2016 — Post Author
Did you use the Wine method or just use the Chrome extension?
Dan Jacobson August 27, 2016
Chrome app just crashes on Debian.
Winetricks is a separate package on debian and must be installed.
Winetricks just loops.
farrasfauzan5 November 12, 2016
after VC ++ 2008 Redistributable installed what should be done? I do not see the app line in it
henrypoon November 13, 2016 — Post Author
Hi, please follow step 3
AIS March 21, 2017
I followed the above steps and everything was fine but when I try to install Line , I get an error message message saying Unable to install this version of Line because a previous one is already running ” .. but in fact there is no other version of Line running !! what shall I do ?
henrypoon March 24, 2017 — Post Author
Possibly to do with version differences between PlayOnLinux, LINE, and Wine. Perhaps try the latest stable versions of things?
Dan Jacobson (積丹尼) March 27, 2017
On Debian sid you will need
chromium –enable-remote-extensions
and that probably won’t work either soon as all those apps are being phased out by chromium.