2 Ways to Upgrade Ubuntu 20.04 To Ubuntu 22.04 (Graphical & Terminal)

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS “Jammy Jellyfish” is faster, sleeker, and loaded with improvements over 20.04. If you’re still on Focal Fossa, it’s time to level up. In this post, I’ll walk you through two reliable methods to upgrade your Ubuntu 20.04 system to 22.04—using the built-in graphical interface and the terminal.

Method 1: Upgrade Using the Graphical Update Manager (GUI)

This method is best for users who prefer a visual interface and want to avoid command-line work.

Step-by-Step:

1. Back Up Your System
   Before any upgrade, create a full system backup. Use tools like Timeshift or Deja Dup.
2. Install All Available Updates First
   Go to Software Updater and install everything listed. Then reboot.
3. Launch the Update Manager
   Press Alt + F2, type update-manager -c and press Enter.
4. Look for the Ubuntu 22.04 Upgrade Prompt
   If your system is fully up-to-date, you’ll see a message offering the upgrade to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.
5. Click “Upgrade” and Follow the Prompts
   The tool will guide you through downloading and installing the upgrade. This may take a while, depending on your internet speed and system performance.
6. Restart When Prompted
   After the upgrade completes, reboot. You’re now on Ubuntu 22.04.

Method 2: Upgrade Using the Terminal (CLI)

For more control and a faster workflow, the terminal is the way to go.

Step-by-Step:

1. Back Up Your System
   Don’t skip this. Use rsync, tar, or a backup app of your choice.
2. Update and Upgrade Your System sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y && sudo apt dist-upgrade -y
3. Install the Update Manager Core sudo apt install update-manager-core
4. Edit the Release Upgrade Prompt
   Open the config file: sudo nano /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades Make sure the Prompt line is set to: Prompt=lts Save and exit (Ctrl+O, then Ctrl+X).
5. Start the Upgrade sudo do-release-upgrade Follow the prompts to proceed. Accept or review configuration file changes if prompted.
6. Reboot
   Once the upgrade finishes, reboot your machine: sudo reboot

What’s Next? Ubuntu 24.04

Already on Ubuntu 22.04 and thinking about going further? Here’s your next step:
👉 How to Upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS from 22.04 LTS

Final Tips

• Patience is key – The upgrade process can take 30 minutes to several hours.
• Third-party PPAs may break – Be ready to troubleshoot or remove them.
• Post-upgrade cleanup – Run: sudo apt autoremove to clear out old packages.

Wrap-Up

Whether you prefer clicking your way through or going full terminal mode, upgrading Ubuntu 20.04 to 22.04 is totally doable. Just back up your system, follow the steps, and enjoy the enhancements that come with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

If you run into issues or want to share how your upgrade went, drop a comment below!