How to Upgrade Ubuntu 18.04 to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

On April 23, 2020, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa) was launched. This version of the software will be supported until 2025. The Ubuntu ...

On April 23, 2020, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa) was launched. This version of the software will be supported until 2025. The Ubuntu operating system is divided into two sorts of releases: standard and long-term support (LTS). Standard releases are supported for around a year, whereas Long Term Support is good for about five years. This guide will show you how to upgrade from Ubuntu 18.04 LTS to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS using the command line.

Who do you want to upgrade? Users of the Ubuntu desktop can upgrade to the latest version right away. However, Ubuntu server users, particularly those running production servers, advised delaying the upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS for a few months.

Step 1: Backup Your Data

It is strongly advised that you backup all of your data from the Ubuntu desktop or server to a remote place before beginning the upgrade. Take a comprehensive system snapshot as well (if possible).

Step 2: Upgrade Current Packages

After you've taken a full backup of the system. Let's get started with the upgrade procedure. Run the following commands to upgrade the current system packages.

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt upgrade

Now install the update-manager-core package on your system.

$ sudo apt install update-manager-core

Then, in the /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades file, change the Prompt value to lts as seen below. This ensures that the available LTS version is found. It will not appear for any release that isn't LTS.

 Prompt=lts

Save the file and close the editor.

Step 3 – Upgrade Ubuntu 18.04 to 20.04 LTS

Finally, you're ready to upgrade your system. Simply run the command below to upgrade your Ubuntu 18.04 LTS system to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa).

$ sudo do-release-upgrade -d

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade process. This process may take some time according to your network speed and system performance.

To finish the upgrade, follow the on-screen instructions. Depending on your network speed and system performance, this process may take some time.

After the upgrade is complete, the wizard will confirm the upgrade by rebooting your system.

Step 4 – Verify Ubuntu Distribution Details

Log in to your upgraded machine after it has rebooted and check the current version. Using the command line, check the Ubuntu distribution details for servers.

On your computer, the best operating system in the world has been installed. Let's take advantage of it.