---
title: "libinput-gestures failed to start as a desktop application"
date: 2021-08-07T16:46:24.000Z
author: Z.SHINCHVEN
tags: [libinput-gestures, Linux, Ubuntu, touchpad, Apple Magic Trackpad 2]
canonical: https://atlassc.net/2021/08/08/libinput-gestures-failed-to-start-as-a-desktop-application
---
As I tried to start the [libinput-gestures](https://github.com/bulletmark/libinput-gestures) after installation:

```bash
libinput-gestures-setup start
```

It failed

```bash
libinput-gestures failed to start as a desktop application.
```

I ventured through Google, but got not solution.

Until I started to try other touchpad drivers, I saw a similar command I just used when installing `libinput gestures`:

```bash
sudo gpasswd -a $USER input
```

In order to use `libinput gestures`, the current user must be added into the `input` group, but it won't take effect until you run the following command to join the group you've just added yourself to:

```bash
newgrp input
```

The [newgrp](https://linux.die.net/man/1/newgrp) command is used to change the current group ID during a login session.

[The official docs](https://github.com/bulletmark/libinput-gestures#:~:text=After%20executing%20the%20above%20command%2C%20reboot%20your%20system.) suggested reboot after adding user to `input` group.

Obviously too long, I didn't read.