Install Sogou Input Method on Ubuntu 20.04 – Step‑by‑Step Guide

Background

Ubuntu 20.04 removed the Qt4 libraries that older versions of Sogou Pinyin depended on, so the previous Debian package cannot be installed. On 2020‑08‑24 the vendor released a new Linux package (v2.3.2.07) built for newer distributions.

Download the package

Download the 64‑bit Debian package from the official Sogou Linux page:

https://pinyin.sogou.com/linux/?r=pinyin

Install the package

Open a terminal, change to the directory where the .deb file was saved (for example ~/Download), and run: sudo gdebi sogoupinyin_2.3.2.07_amd64.deb The installer will ask for the sudo password and then request confirmation; type y and press Enter. Verify that no errors are reported.

Configure the input method

After the installation, reboot the system. Then launch the Fcitx configuration tool: fcitx-configtool In the configuration window click the “+” button, uncheck “Only Show Current Language”, type “sogou” in the search box, select “Sogou Pinyin”, and click OK.

When the configuration is saved you will see the final state:

Activate Sogou Pinyin

Close the configuration tool. Press Ctrl + Space to switch to Sogou Pinyin. Further preferences can be adjusted from the Sogou settings page.