How to update Ubuntu from the command line - Rocketeers app [ Rocketeers ](/) [Login](https://rocketeersapp.com/login) On this page Knowledge --------- How to update Ubuntu from the command line ========================================== ### [\#CommandLine](https://rocketeersapp.com/knowledge/command-line) Learn the difference between apt update and apt upgrade, how to install all updates, clean up old packages, and upgrade to a new Ubuntu release. Published by [Mark van Eijk](https://rocketeersapp.com/author/mark-van-eijk) on June 23, 2026 · 1 minute read 1. [Update vs upgrade: the part everyone confuses](#content-update-vs-upgrade-the-part-everyone-confuses) 2. [Refresh the package lists](#content-refresh-the-package-lists) 3. [Install the available updates](#content-install-the-available-updates) 4. [When upgrade isn't enough: full-upgrade](#content-when-upgrade-isnt-enough-full-upgrade) 5. [Updating a single package](#content-updating-a-single-package) 6. [Clean up afterwards](#content-clean-up-afterwards) 7. [Upgrading to a new Ubuntu release](#content-upgrading-to-a-new-ubuntu-release) 8. [The one-liner I actually use](#content-the-one-liner-i-actually-use) [\#](#content-update-vs-upgrade-the-part-everyone-confuses "Permalink")Update vs upgrade: the part everyone confuses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The single most common mix-up with `apt` is thinking `update` installs new software. It doesn't. `apt update` only refreshes the list of available packages, while `apt upgrade` actually installs the newer versions. You almost always run them as a pair. [\#](#content-refresh-the-package-lists "Permalink")Refresh the package lists ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- First, sync the local index of what's available from Ubuntu's repositories: ``` sudo apt update ``` This downloads nothing but metadata. After it runs, `apt` will often tell you how many packages can be upgraded. Nothing on your system has changed yet. [\#](#content-install-the-available-updates "Permalink")Install the available updates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now apply them: ``` sudo apt upgrade ``` `apt upgrade` installs newer versions of packages you already have. By design it won't remove anything or install brand-new dependencies. To skip the confirmation prompt, add `-y`: ``` sudo apt upgrade -y ``` [\#](#content-when-upgrade-isnt-enough-full-upgrade "Permalink")When upgrade isn't enough: full-upgrade ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sometimes an update needs to remove an obsolete package or pull in a new dependency, for example a new kernel. Plain `upgrade` holds those back. `full-upgrade` (the modern name for `dist-upgrade`) allows it: ``` sudo apt full-upgrade ``` I run this for kernel and major library updates. Both `full-upgrade` and `dist-upgrade` do the same thing. [\#](#content-updating-a-single-package "Permalink")Updating a single package ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you only want to bump one package, name it after `install`. It upgrades just that package (and its dependencies) to the latest available version: ``` sudo apt install --only-upgrade nginx ``` [\#](#content-clean-up-afterwards "Permalink")Clean up afterwards ----------------------------------------------------------------- Old kernels and orphaned dependencies pile up over time. Remove what's no longer needed: ``` sudo apt autoremove ``` This is one of the first things I do when I [reclaim disk space on Ubuntu](/reclaim-diskspace-on-ubuntu), since stale kernels eat into `/boot`. [\#](#content-upgrading-to-a-new-ubuntu-release "Permalink")Upgrading to a new Ubuntu release --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everything above keeps your current release patched. To jump to a newer release, like 22.04 to 24.04, you need a different tool: ``` sudo do-release-upgrade ``` This is a major upgrade, so first make sure your current system is fully patched and check which release you're on with [how to check your Ubuntu version](/check-ubuntu-version-command-line). Add `-d` only if you specifically want to upgrade to a development release. [\#](#content-the-one-liner-i-actually-use "Permalink")The one-liner I actually use ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day to day, I chain the common steps together: ``` sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y && sudo apt autoremove -y ``` That refreshes, installs everything, and tidies up in a single command. ### Subscribe to our newsletter Do you want to receive regular updates with fresh and exclusive content to learn more about web development, hosting, security and performance? Subscribe now! 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