Install MATLAB on Ubuntu

Step 1: Sign in to MathWorks

Go to the MathWorks website, open the MATLAB page and log in to your account.

Step 2: Choose the installation method

Open the Download page of your license and choose the Linux installer.

Step 3: Provide the extra information

MathWorks may ask you for some details about your use. Fill them in and accept the terms.

Step 4: Download the installer

Download the installer for Linux.

Step 5: Unzip it

Go to the folder of the download and unzip the file:

unzip file_name

Step 6: Run the installer

./install

If MATLAB opens a graphical installer, it needs a desktop. On a server without a desktop, use the -inputFile option or X forwarding.

Step 7: Configure the installation

1. Sign in with your MathWorks account.

   

2. Accept the license agreement.

   

3. Choose the license you want to use.
4. Choose the destination folder. A common folder is /usr/local/MATLAB/R2024a.

   

5. Select the products and toolboxes to install.

   

6. Confirm your choices and start the install.

   

Start MATLAB

If the matlab command is not found, add the folder to your PATH:

nano ~/.bashrc

Add (use your own path):

export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/MATLAB/R2024a/bin

Load the change and start MATLAB:

source ~/.bashrc
echo $PATH
matlab

You can also create a link: sudo ln -s /usr/local/MATLAB/R2024a/bin/matlab /usr/local/bin/matlab.

Tips

• MATLAB needs several GB of disk space. A full install can take 30 GB or more.
• Install the libraries it asks for (libgtk, libasound2) if it fails to start.
• Keep your license active.

Quick recap

• Download from MathWorks, unzip and run ./install.
• Install to /usr/local/MATLAB/<release>.
• Add the bin folder to your PATH.