How to install MP3 playback in Ubuntu

Note for Ubuntu 9.10 users
There is a bug in Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic) that doesn't allow this double-click-to-install-missing-plugins procedure to work. If you want MP3 playback, the best thing to do is use Synaptic Package Manager to install ubuntu-restricted-extras. That will install MP3 playback, Flash, Java, and other proprietary plugins.

Installation Procedure (Ubuntu 9.04)
First, find or download an MP3 file.


Then the easiest way to install MP3 playback in Ubuntu is to just try to play an MP3 file. So just double-click the file.


Once you do that, Totem will try to play the MP3 file and then realize you do not have the necessary codecs to play MP3 files. It'll ask if you want to search for the appropriate codec. Click Search to continue.


Click Install, then Confirm.


Wait for the codecs to install. Then click OK


Now your MP3 should start playing in Totem.

If you have suggestions or corrections for these tutorials, please post in this Ubuntu Forums thread or leave a comment on my blog.

I will not give help to people posting in the above places. If you require technical support, start a support thread on the Ubuntu Forums. That is the appropriate place to ask for help.