Upgrade Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (“Noble Numbat”) is here! If you’re on Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04, upgrading ensures you stay secure, supported, and up to date with the latest features. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to upgrading your Ubuntu system, whether you use the desktop or server edition.

Why Upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS?

Get the latest security patches
Improved hardware and software support
Five years of updates (through 2029)
Smoother performance and new features

Before You Start

Backup your data.
Don’t skip this step—use tools like rsync, Timeshift, or cloud backups.

Update your current system:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt dist-upgrade
sudo apt autoremove

(Optional) Reboot:

sudo reboot

Upgrading from Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS

Already on 22.04?

If you still need to upgrade from 20.04 to 22.04 first, check out this guide:
2 Ways to Upgrade Ubuntu 20.04 To Ubuntu 22.04 (Graphical & Terminal)

1. Enable LTS-to-LTS Upgrades

Open the release-upgrades config:

sudo nano /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades

Set:

Prompt=lts

Save and exit (CTRL+O, ENTER, CTRL+X).

2. Start the Upgrade

Graphical (Desktop) Method:

Press ALT + F2, enter:

update-manager -c -d

The Software Updater will pop up. Click “Upgrade” to begin.

Terminal (Server or Desktop) Method:

sudo do-release-upgrade -d

(Use -d only if the new release isn’t generally available yet.)

3. Follow the Prompts

Review each message and confirm when ready.
Remove obsolete packages if you don’t need them.
Let the upgrade process complete—it can take a while.

4. Reboot and Verify

When finished, reboot:

sudo reboot

Check your new version:

lsb_release -a

You should see: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Troubleshooting

Network issues? Check your connection.
Broken packages?
sudo apt --fix-broken install
Third-party PPAs? Disable them before upgrading.

Need to Upgrade from 20.04 to 22.04 First?

If you’re running 20.04 and not yet on 22.04, see our detailed tutorial:
2 Ways to Upgrade Ubuntu 20.04 To Ubuntu 22.04 (Graphical & Terminal)

Final Tips

Run a final update after upgrading:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Re-enable third-party repos if needed.
Review system settings and custom config files.

You’re all set with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS!
Still stuck? Drop your questions below or check out our other guides for more tips.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!