Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, codenamed Jammy Jellyfish, brings a host of new features and improvements to the popular Linux distribution. If you’re running Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, you might be wondering how to upgrade to the latest version. This guide will walk you through the process, covering both graphical and command-line methods.
Preparing for the Upgrade
Before diving into the upgrade process, it’s crucial to prepare your system:
Step 1: Back up your important data. While upgrades are generally safe, it’s always wise to have a backup.
Step 2: Update your current system:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Step 3: Reboot your system if a new kernel is installed:
sudo reboot
Step 4: Ensure you have enough disk space. The upgrade process requires at least 3GB of free space.
Graphical Method: Using the Software Updater
For desktop users, the graphical method is often the most straightforward:
Step 1: Open the “Software & Updates” application.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Updates” tab.
Step 3: Set “Notify me of a new Ubuntu version” to “For long-term support versions.”
Step 4: Close the window and open a terminal.
Step 5: Run the update manager with the development release flag:
update-manager -d
Step 6: Click “Upgrade” when prompted about the new version.
Step 7: Follow the on-screen instructions, confirming actions when necessary.
Step 8: Restart your system once the upgrade is complete.
Command-Line Method: Using do-release-upgrade
For server environments or users who prefer the terminal:
Step 1: Ensure the update-manager-core package is installed:
sudo apt install update-manager-core
Step 2: Edit the release upgrade prompt:
sudo nano /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades
Set Prompt=lts in this file.
Step 3: Start the upgrade process:
sudo do-release-upgrade -d
Step 4: Follow the prompts, confirming actions when asked.
Step 5: Reboot your system after the upgrade completes:
sudo reboot
Post-Upgrade Tasks
After upgrading, there are a few tasks to ensure everything is working correctly:
- Verify the Ubuntu version:
lsb_release -a
- Check for and install any additional updates:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
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Review third-party repositories and PPAs. Some may need to be updated or removed if they don’t support Ubuntu 22.04 yet.
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Test your critical applications to ensure they’re functioning correctly with the new version.
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If you use proprietary drivers (like NVIDIA), you may need to reinstall or update them.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter issues during or after the upgrade:
- For package conflicts, try
sudo apt --fix-broken install. - If a third-party repository causes issues, disable it temporarily.
- For graphics issues, consider reinstalling your GPU drivers.
- If the system won’t boot, use recovery mode to troubleshoot.
Upgrading to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS brings numerous improvements and new features to your system. Whether you choose the graphical or command-line method, following these steps should result in a smooth upgrade process. Remember to back up your data before starting and take your time to ensure each step completes successfully.