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Will I lose my files if I upgrade Ubuntu?
A supported release upgrade is intended to update your existing installation, not erase your personal files. However, power loss, disk problems, or package conflicts can interrupt the process. Ubuntu advises backing up your data first: its Desktop upgrade guide says to back up user data to external storage, and its Server upgrade guidance stresses copying data somewhere it can be restored from if something goes wrong.
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A backup reduces the consequences of failure; it does not make the upgrade risk-free. Keep the backup separate from the computer’s internal disk, and open or restore a few important files from it before starting. A sync folder on the same disk is not protection against disk failure.
Check which upgrade path your Ubuntu release supports
First identify your installed Ubuntu version and whether you are using Desktop or Server. The valid target depends on the installed release, release type, and whether Ubuntu has enabled upgrades to that target. Check the target version’s release notes and release information for known issues and instructions that apply to your system.
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Ubuntu documents sequential upgrades: an LTS release upgrades to the next LTS release, while an interim release upgrades to the next interim release. If your installation is several releases behind, you may need to upgrade through intermediate releases rather than jumping directly to the newest version.
Upgrade availability can also be delayed. Ubuntu says an LTS upgrade is offered after the target’s first point release; prompts for interim releases may take several days to appear after release. If you do not see an offer, check your current version, upgrade channel, and the target’s release notes instead of forcing a development-release upgrade. Ubuntu warns that development releases are unsupported for ordinary use and may break a system.
Prepare your system and verify your backup
- Install available updates for your current Ubuntu release before starting the release upgrade.
- Copy personal files to external storage or another independent backup destination. Check that the backup is readable and that important files can be restored.
- Make sure there is enough free disk space. Ubuntu’s Desktop guidance says the upgrade needs several gigabytes during the process.
- Connect a laptop or other mobile device to power, and use a reliable network connection. The documented Desktop and Server procedures require access to package mirrors; the cited release instructions do not provide an offline upgrade option.
- Read the target release’s notes for version-specific instructions and known issues before accepting the upgrade.
Choose the Ubuntu upgrade method for your system
| Method | Best fit | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Software Updater | Ubuntu Desktop with a graphical interface | Follow the release-upgrade prompt when it is offered, and confirm the target release before proceeding. (Canonical, Desktop upgrade guide) |
sudo do-release-upgrade |
Desktop users who prefer a terminal, and Server or cloud systems | The upgrader checks readiness and displays proposed package changes, including removals, installations, and upgrades, before asking whether to continue. Review that summary carefully. (Canonical, Server upgrade guidance) |
For a remote or headless system, Ubuntu’s do-release-upgrade manpage identifies the command-line tool as the preferred route. Follow the target release’s Server instructions and keep a reliable remote session while the upgrade runs.
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Run the release upgrade
- Desktop, graphical route: Open Software Updater and follow the offered Ubuntu release-upgrade prompt. Confirm that the target shown is the release you intend to install.
- Desktop, terminal route: Open a terminal and run
sudo do-release-upgrade. Follow the prompts and inspect the proposed changes before accepting. - Server or cloud system: Run
sudo do-release-upgradefrom a suitable session. Review the readiness checks and package-change summary, then proceed only if the proposed changes are acceptable. - After the upgrade: Follow any on-screen instructions to finish, restart if prompted, and check that you can log in and open your files. Keep the backup until you have confirmed the upgraded system works as expected.
If the upgrade prompt is missing or the upgrade fails
No upgrade prompt appears
Verify the installed release and configured upgrade channel, then check whether the target’s release notes say upgrades are available. LTS upgrades may not be offered until the first point release, and interim prompts can be delayed by several days. Do not use a development-release option as a shortcut for an ordinary stable upgrade.
The upgrade was interrupted by a power failure
Ubuntu’s Desktop guide says an upgrade interrupted by power loss may resume when the computer starts again. If it does not finish cleanly, open a terminal if possible and run these documented repair commands in order:
sudo dpkg --configure -asudo apt --fix-broken install
If the system will not boot or you cannot log in, Ubuntu’s Desktop guide directs users to its support channels. Avoid attempting a downgrade: Ubuntu says downgrading an existing installation is unsupported. Returning to an earlier release requires reinstalling Ubuntu, a separate operation that can erase data, so ensure your backup is complete before considering it.
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Understand the difference between LTS and interim releases
LTS and interim releases follow different upgrade cadences. LTS releases prioritize a longer support period; interim releases arrive more frequently and have a shorter support period. Ubuntu’s Server upgrade guidance states five years of standard support and security updates for an LTS release and nine months for an interim release. These are the figures stated for the Server guidance; support coverage can differ by Ubuntu flavor, so check the lifecycle information for the specific edition you use.
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