How to Upgrade Ubuntu 25.04 to Ubuntu 25.10 Without Losing Data

Upgrading between Ubuntu versions is one of its strong points: you get new features, updated software, and security patches, all without wiping out your files. But doing it right is key—poorly handled upgrades can lead to broken packages, missing applications, or worse. In this guide, we’ll walk through a safe path to upgrade from Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) to Ubuntu 25.10 (Questing Quokka) while preserving your data.

⚠️ Warning / Caveat: Ubuntu 25.10 is (or was) originally released as a beta / development version. (lists.ubuntu.com) Some upgrade paths may require “development release” flags (e.g. -d) until the upgrade is fully supported. (Ubuntu Community Hub) Because of this, there’s an inherent risk. Always back up your important files before proceeding.

Below is a step-by-step plan. Use it carefully, test where possible (e.g. on a virtual machine first), and proceed only when you’re comfortable.

1. Preparations & Precautions

Before you start the upgrade:

1. Backup your data
   Even though the goal is to preserve data, things can go wrong. Use rsync, Deja Dup, or a similar backup tool to copy /home, configuration files (/etc, ~/.config, etc.), databases, and any custom data to external storage or cloud.
2. Ensure your current system is fully updated
   sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt dist-upgrade
   (The dist-upgrade step helps resolve dependency shifts.)
   Reboot if needed.
3. Clean up unnecessary packages
   sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt clean
   This reduces potential conflicts during upgrade.
4. Disable or comment out extra PPAs or third-party repositories
   Non-official sources often break when the target release changes. You can re-enable them later if available.
5. Check disk space
   The upgrade process needs additional space for downloading and unpacking packages. Make sure you have several gigabytes free, especially on / (root) and /tmp.
6. Read the release notes / known issues
   Ubuntu normally publishes release notes listing known bugs, deprecations, and special instructions. Always check for 25.10’s release notes before upgrading.

2. Confirm Upgrade Path Availability

Ubuntu enforces rules on how upgrades are offered. You may not see a straightforward “upgrade to 25.10” option immediately. For instance, as of recent reports:

• The standard do-release-upgrade may return “No new release found” if Ubuntu hasn’t enabled the upgrade path yet. (Ubuntu Community Hub)
• Using the -d (development) flag forces the upgrade tool to consider development / beta releases. (Ubuntu Community Hub)
• Some users have reported missing “Software Updater” icons or broken update-manager behavior after the upgrade. (Launchpad)

Therefore, before proceeding, check:

sudo do-release-upgrade

If it says “No new release found,” then:

sudo do-release-upgrade -d

Using -d forces consideration of development releases. Use this cautiously. (Ubuntu Community Hub)

Also check your /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades file; Prompt should be set to normal (not lts) so interim upgrades are permitted.

3. Perform the Upgrade

Once you have confirmed that the upgrade path is available:

1. Launch the upgrade process:
   sudo do-release-upgrade
   (Or with -d if needed)
2. The tool will:
   • Fetch the list of new packages
   • Present release notes and warnings
   • Show what will be installed, removed, and held back
   • Ask for your confirmation to proceed
3. During the upgrade, you may be prompted about configuration file changes (e.g. for /etc/ssh/sshd_config, /etc/fstab). Always choose carefully. Usually, you compare and keep your existing customizations (unless you know a new version is superior).
4. Let the process run its course. Do not power off or interrupt. It may take some time, depending on your hardware and internet speed.
5. When it ends, you’ll be prompted to restart:
   Press ENTER to reboot
   After reboot, your system should boot into Ubuntu 25.10.

4. Post-Upgrade Checks & Fixes

Once you’ve booted into 25.10:

1. Verify version
   lsb_release -a
uname -r
   You should see 25.10 / Questing Quokka and a kernel matching 25.10’s defaults.
2. Do full update & fix broken packages
   sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo apt autoremove
3. Check missing or broken components Some users report missing icons or broken update-manager after the upgrade. (Launchpad) To fix:
   • Reinstall update-manager:
     sudo apt install --reinstall update-manager
   • Reset GNOME extensions or temporarily disable them and re-enable one by one.
   • If the software updater icon is gone, try launching it via the terminal:
     update-manager
4. Re-enable previously disabled PPAs (if versions exist for 25.10) After confirming stability, you can re-add third-party repositories and update again.
5. Review system logs and test functionality Make sure your hardware, network, and daily tools work as before. Check dmesg, journalctl, and ~/.xsession-errors (if using a GUI).

5. Tips & Troubleshooting

• Do a test upgrade first
  If possible, replicate your setup in a virtual machine or spare system and run the upgrade there first to uncover issues.
• Use development-upgrade only when necessary
  -d should be a last resort, and is typically meant for testing or early adopters.
• Avoid skipping releases
  In most cases, Ubuntu expects you to upgrade sequentially (e.g. 25.04 → 25.10), not jump across multiple interim versions. The official Ubuntu docs emphasize only upgrading to the “next” release. (Ubuntu Documentation)
• Allow some time post-upgrade for updates to settle
  Some packages may still trickle in days after the initial upgrade as maintainers push fixes.
• If things break badly, revert to backup or freshly install
  As a last resort, you can restore from your backup or perform a clean install of Ubuntu 25.10 and copy your data in.

Conclusion

Upgrading Ubuntu from 25.04 to 25.10 is possible and can preserve your data, but it’s not entirely risk-free—especially when dealing with interim or development releases. The key is preparation:

• Back up everything critical
• Fully update 25.04
• Disable third-party sources
• Use do-release-upgrade (possibly with -d)
• Fix post-upgrade issues

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!