Upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS: Complete Guide

Tue, 31/03/2026 - 08:00

Upgrading to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, known by its code name "Resolute Raccoon", is an important step in keeping your operating system secure and up to date. In this guide, we will walk you through the upgrade process, highlighting the necessary steps and providing helpful tips.

💡 Upgrade Key Takeaways

Official Release: April 23, 2026 (Long Term Support version).
Enterprise Features: GNOME 50, unified App Center, enhanced security with TPM encryption, and native Cloud MFA authentication.
Upgrade Path: Direct upgrades are supported from Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or Ubuntu 25.10.
Best Practices: Always perform full backups or VM snapshots before executing the do-release-upgrade command in production environments.

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS features

Version 26.04 will be officially released on April 23, 2026. As a Long Term Support (LTS) release, it will be supported for the long term, ensuring maximum stability and reliability for your servers and enterprise Linux systems.
This new major release introduces key new features outlined in Canonical's official roadmap:

Desktop and Default Applications:
- GNOME 50: The new desktop environment provides a smoother experience, with significant improvements for the Wayland session, particularly on Nvidia hardware.
- Showtime and Resources: New default apps for a more modern experience. Showtime replaces Totem as the video player, while Resources takes the place of the previous system monitor, offering exceptional accessibility support.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Introduction of the Piper neural speech synthesis engine for the Orca screen reader.
Security and Enterprise Integration:
- Centralized App Center management: A single interface that definitively embraces .deb and Snap package management, deprecating old obsolete tools.
- TPM Encryption and Biometrics: Greater control over disk encryption (with post-installation PIN/passphrase management) and more reliable SPDM biometric support for fingerprint readers.
- Cloud Authentication: Native support for enterprise cloud authentication, enabling Microsoft MFA login flows.
Development and WSL:
- Ubuntu on WSL: Ubuntu Pro on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) becomes even more robust and observable, introducing advanced documentation and multi-instance workflows perfect for developers.

System Requirements

Ubuntu Server 26.04 minimum requirements

Processor: 1 GHz dual-core
RAM: 1 GiB
Disk space: 4 GiB

Ubuntu 26.04 minimum requirements

Processor: 2 GHz dual-core
RAM: 2 GiB
Disk space: 25 GiB
Video card: 3D video acceleration, 1024x768 resolution, 128 MiB of memory

Ubuntu 26.04 recommended requirements

Processor: 2 GHz dual-core
RAM: 4–6 GiB
Disk space: 25 GiB
Video card: 3D video acceleration, 1280x1024 resolution, 256 MiB of memory

Preparing for the update

Before proceeding with the upgrade, it is essential to carry out some preparations:

Check the currently installed version with:
```
cat /etc/os-release
```
```
"VERSION_ID="24.04"
```
Upgrading is supported from Ubuntu 24.04 to 26.04, and from Ubuntu 25.10. If you have an older version, it is recommended to upgrade to one of the 2 supported versions.
Data backup: Make sure you perform a full backup of your important data. You can follow the official backup guide for detailed instructions.
Check disk space: Check that you have enough disk space to install the upgrade.
Update your current system: Before upgrading to Ubuntu 26.04, make sure your current system is up-to-date. You can do this with the following commands:
```
sudo apt update
```
```
sudo apt upgrade
```

Rely on Experts for Your Critical Infrastructure

Upgrading an LTS release in enterprise environments or on production servers requires meticulous planning to prevent unexpected downtime or database conflicts. If you manage mission-critical infrastructure and want to offload this delicate transition to completely mitigate risks, you can rely on our Professional Ubuntu Linux server support. Our system administrators will manage the entire upgrade lifecycle: from pre-migration compatibility analysis and secure backups to final testing and post-upgrade monitoring.

Tip: Where to safely test the upgrade?

Before executing the commands in this guide on your production server, we highly recommend running a simulation in an isolated environment. If you do not have a Proxmox cluster or local resources available, you can temporarily spin up a high-performance VPS on Ionos, with whom we are partnered. The costs are minimal, making it the ideal environment for quick staging tests.

Procedure for upgrading to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Follow these steps to upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04:

Open the terminal: You can do this by searching for "Terminal" in the application menu.
Install the upgrade software
```
sudo apt install update-manager-core
```
Edit the file /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades
```
sudo nano /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades
```
Make sure there is a line that reads as follows. If it is different or missing, add it and save the file
```
Prompt=lts
```
Start the upgrade: Run the following command in the terminal
1. Upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 development release, before the official release:
```
sudo do-release-upgrade --devel-release
```
2. Upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS stable release:
```
sudo do-release-upgrade
```
Follow the instructions: During the upgrade process, follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to confirm some actions.
Restart the system: Once the upgrade is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Common problems and solutions

You may encounter some issues during the upgrade. Here are some common solutions:

Insufficient disk space: Remove unnecessary files or packages to free up space.
Network error: Check your Internet connection and try again.
Blocked packages: Use the command sudo dpkg --configure -a command to resolve any unconfigured packages.

Are you worried about interruptions and downtime for your business?

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the official release dates for Ubuntu 26.04?

A: The official calendar calls for a "Feature Freeze" on February 16, 2026, the release of the Beta version on March 23, 2026, and the availability of the stable Final Release starting on April 23, 2026.

Can I cancel the update if I start experiencing problems?

Yes, you can stop the process, but you may end up with a partially updated system that needs to be repaired.

Is a backup necessary before upgrading?

Absolutely. A backup is essential to avoid data loss. In the case of a corporate virtual machine, the combined use of backups and snapshots before the upgrade allows for immediate recovery in case of anomalies.

Where can I download Ubuntu 26.04?

You can download images .iso of all versions via the link to the official Ubuntu image repository.

Can I upgrade directly from Ubuntu 25.04 to 26.04 LTS?

If you are still using an intermediate version (not LTS), it is best to first upgrade to Ubuntu 25.10 and then move to 26.04 LTS. This ensures compatibility and reduces the risk of system crashes during the upgrade.

Can I upgrade directly from Ubuntu 24.04 to 26.04 LTS?

Direct upgrades between Long Term Support versions are officially supported. If you are using Ubuntu 24.04, you can upgrade directly to 26.04 using the LTS channel described in this article. If you are using a very old version such as 22.04, you must upgrade in stages: first, you will need to upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04.

Conclusion

Upgrading to Ubuntu 26.04 is a relatively simple process, but it requires attention and preparation. Be sure to follow the steps outlined and proactively resolve any issues. If you need help, try our Ubuntu Server Consulting and Support services. Now 30 minutes free!

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