How to Upgrade from Ubuntu 25.10 to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS: A Complete Guide

Overview

If you're currently running Ubuntu 25.10 (codenamed "Jubilant Jackal"), it's time to plan your upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS ("Resolute Raccoon"). The upgrade path officially opened in late April, and with Ubuntu 25.10 support ending in July, you'll want to make the move soon to continue receiving security updates and bug fixes. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, released on 23 April, brings a host of new features including GNOME 50, Linux kernel 7.0, refreshed default applications, and new privacy and developer tools. This guide will walk you through the entire upgrade process, from prerequisites to post-upgrade checks, ensuring a smooth transition.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure your system meets these requirements:

• A backup: Always create a full backup of your important data. While upgrades are reliable, unexpected power loss or hardware issues can cause data loss.
• Ubuntu 25.10 fully updated: Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade and sudo apt full-upgrade to ensure your current system is up-to-date.
• Sufficient disk space: At least 5 GB of free space on your root partition (10+ GB recommended). Check with df -h.
• Stable internet connection: The upgrade downloads many packages; a wired connection is preferred.
• System backup: Use timeshift or deja-dup to create a system snapshot or file backup.
• Verify you are on Ubuntu 25.10: Run lsb_release -a to confirm.

Step-by-Step Upgrade Instructions

Step 1: Update Current System

Open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt full-upgrade -y
sudo apt autoremove -y
sudo apt autoclean

This ensures all existing packages are at their latest versions, minimizing conflicts during the upgrade.

Step 2: Prepare for Release Upgrade

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS upgrades from 25.10 are now officially enabled. You can trigger the upgrade using the do-release-upgrade tool. First, install the update-manager-core package if not already present:

sudo apt install update-manager-core

Then, to force the check for the new release:

sudo do-release-upgrade -d

The -d flag tells the tool to look for the latest development release; without it, you may need to wait for the official channel to update. However, since the upgrade is now open, you can omit -d and just run:

sudo do-release-upgrade

Step 3: Follow the Upgrade Prompts

Once you run the command, the tool will check for the new release and ask for confirmation. Type Y to begin the download. The process may take 30–60 minutes depending on your internet speed. Important prompts you may encounter:

• Restart services: You'll be asked whether to restart services automatically; choosing "Yes" is safe.
• Configuration file changes: If you have modified system files, you'll be asked whether to keep your version or use the maintainer's. Usually, select the maintainer's version unless you know what you're doing.
• SSH sessions: If upgrading remotely, note that the SSH daemon may be restarted. Consider using screen or tmux to avoid losing the session.

Step 4: Reboot After Upgrade

When the upgrade finishes, you'll be prompted to reboot. Do so with:

sudo reboot

After reboot, verify the new release:

lsb_release -a
# Expected: Description: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Step 5: Post-Upgrade Cleanup

After successful upgrade, clean up residual packages:

sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo apt autoremove -y
sudo apt autoclean

You may also want to check for any remaining obsolete packages with sudo apt list '~o' and remove them manually.

Step 6: Explore New Features

Now that you're on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, take a moment to explore the new additions:

• GNOME 50: Enhanced performance and new visual effects.
• Linux kernel 7.0: Improved hardware support and security.
• New default applications: Updated versions of core apps like Files, Terminal, and Settings.
• Snap Store integration: The GNOME Shell Overview now includes a search that can show Snap Store results and web searches (manage via Settings > Privacy > Search).
• Ubuntu Pro in Security Center: You can now enable Ubuntu Pro (personal or paid) directly from the Security Center app for extended security coverage.
• New folder icons: A fresh set of icons for better visual consistency.
• Visual password feedback for sudo: When typing sudo, you'll see asterisks or dots instead of blank input – a long-requested usability improvement.
• Developer tools: NVIDIA CUDA and AMD ROCm are now available directly in the official repositories, making it easier to set up GPGPU computing. Install with sudo apt install nvidia-cuda-toolkit or sudo apt install rocm-libs.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Forgetting to Backup

Even though upgrades rarely fail, hardware or network issues can corrupt your system. Always backup before major upgrades.

Mistake 2: Running Upgrade Over Slow/Unstable Internet

A dropped connection mid-upgrade can leave your system in a broken state. Use a wired connection or ensure strong Wi-Fi signal.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Configuration File Prompts

By blindly choosing "keep your version" for all config files, you might prevent the new software from working correctly. If uncertain, stick with the maintainer's version.

Mistake 4: Upgrading from an Unsupported Version

Do not attempt to upgrade directly from Ubuntu 24.04 or earlier to 26.04 LTS without going through 25.10 first. Canonical only supports upgrades from the previous release.

Mistake 5: Not Cleaning Up After Upgrade

Residual packages from the old release can cause dependency issues later. Always run autoremove and autoclean.

Summary

Upgrading from Ubuntu 25.10 to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS is straightforward if you follow the recommended steps: backup your data, fully update your current system, run do-release-upgrade, reboot, and clean up. The new LTS release brings GNOME 50, Linux kernel 7.0, improved search features, Ubuntu Pro integration, and easier access to NVIDIA CUDA and AMD ROCm. With 25.10 support ending in July, now is the perfect time to upgrade. Happy upgrading!