Ready to refresh your system with the latest MATE experience? Upgrading to Ubuntu MATE 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) is straightforward, whether you’re coming from Ubuntu MATE 23.10 or the previous LTS, 22.04.
This long-term support release brings the latest MATE desktop refinements, a newer kernel, and all the underlying power of Noble Numbat, supported until April 2029.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to upgrade using the graphical Update Manager or the terminal. Pick your method and get started!
Want to explore what’s new first? Check out our Ubuntu MATE 24.04 LTS overview and download page.
⚠️ Essential Pre-Upgrade Checklist
- Back Up Your Data: This is the most important step. Ensure all your important files are backed up to an external drive or cloud service.
- Ensure a Stable Internet Connection: The upgrade will download several hundred megabytes of packages.
- Plug In Your Laptop: Prevent power loss during the upgrade process.
- Check for Third-Party PPAs: If you’ve added many external repositories, consider disabling them temporarily to avoid upgrade conflicts.
How to Upgrade to Ubuntu MATE 24.04 LTS
Method 1: Using the Update Manager (GUI – Recommended)
Follow these steps for a smooth graphical upgrade:
- Open the Update Manager application from your menu.
- Ensure all current updates are installed by clicking Install Updates if available. Reboot if prompted.
- Open Update Manager again. It should now detect the new release and prompt you with a message: “New Ubuntu MATE release ‘24.04’ is available.”
- Click Upgrade.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. The upgrade tool will guide you through the process, which includes downloading packages, installing them, and cleaning up.
- Once completed, restart your computer to boot into your new Ubuntu MATE 24.04 LTS system.
If the prompt doesn’t appear, you can try launching the upgrade tool from the terminal with the command: sudo do-release-upgrade -m desktop
Method 2: Using the Terminal (Command Line)
Prefer the command line? This method is powerful and well-logged.
- Open your terminal.
- Update your package list and upgrade all installed packages:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Reboot your computer if the kernel or critical system libraries were updated.
- Install the `update-manager-core` package if it’s not already present:
sudo apt install update-manager-core
- Start the upgrade process:
sudo do-release-upgrade
- Follow the on-screen prompts carefully. You will be asked to confirm package downloads, restart services, and remove obsolete packages.
- Once all steps are complete, restart your computer.
Video Tutorial: Upgrade to Ubuntu MATE 24.04 LTS
Watch this step-by-step guide to see the upgrade process in action:
Ubuntu MATE 24.04 LTS System Requirements
Ensure your system meets the requirements for a smooth experience:
- RAM: 4 GB recommended (2 GB minimum).
- Storage: 25 GB minimum, an SSD is highly recommended for best performance.
- Processor: 2 GHz dual-core or better.
Ubuntu MATE remains one of the most lightweight options, perfect for older hardware.
Need a Fresh Install Instead?
If you’re encountering issues or simply want a clean slate, consider a fresh installation. You can download the Ubuntu MATE 24.04 ISO here and follow our installation guide there.
Ubuntu MATE Resources
- Ubuntu MATE 24.04 Wallpapers
- Official Ubuntu Flavors
- Official Release Notes
Poll: Your Ubuntu Experience
Need Help?
Stuck on the upgrade? Drop a comment below or contact us, we’re here to assist!
