flatpak-mask

Ignore updates for a specific flatpak

$ flatpak mask [com.example.app]

$ flatpak mask --remove [com.example.app]

$ flatpak mask [--system|--user]

flatpak mask [OPTIONS...] NAME...
flatpak unmask [OPTIONS...] NAME...

--user
    Mask or unmask the application for the current user only.

--system
    Mask or unmask the application system-wide. This is the default.

NAME...
    The name(s) of the Flatpak application(s) to mask or unmask.

The `flatpak mask` command allows you to prevent Flatpak from considering an application for installation or running. This is useful for hiding applications that you don't want users to see or use, without actually uninstalling them. The `unmask` command reverses this action, making the application available again. This command modifies metadata within the Flatpak system, effectively blocking the application's discovery and execution. Masking is distinct from uninstalling: the application remains installed on the system and can still be accessed directly, bypassing the masking mechanism if the user knows how. This provides a way to maintain an application on the system while restricting its visibility through typical Flatpak channels. This functionality is intended to provide control over the available application catalog, enabling administrators or users to curate the visible application set. Applications can be masked system-wide or for a specific user.

Masking only hides the application from being easily accessed via Flatpak. Knowledgeable users can still access and run masked applications if they know how. Masking is not a security measure, but rather a convenience feature.

The `flatpak mask` and `flatpak unmask` commands return 0 on success and a non-zero value on failure. Common causes of failure include invalid application names, insufficient permissions (e.g., trying to mask system-wide without root privileges), or errors in the Flatpak system itself.

Masking an Application (System-Wide):
`flatpak mask org.example.Application`

Masking an Application (User-Specific):
`flatpak mask --user org.example.Application`

Unmasking an Application:
`flatpak unmask org.example.Application`

flatpak install(1), flatpak uninstall(1), flatpak list(1)