How to Install and Use Snap on Ubuntu 20.04

In this tutorial we will see the how to install and Use Snap Package Manager on Ubuntu 20.04. However, our target operating system will be Ubuntu 20.04. Moreover, Ubuntu Software was the only package manager for Ubuntu prior to Ubuntu version 16.04. Additionally, an alternative package management software was added in Ubuntu 16.04 and onwards. This was Snap package management software. This is sometimes also called as Snapd or Snappy. Moreover, it is an additional package management tool for Ubuntu.

The Developers – Conical

However, the program package format for Snap was developed by Conical. Moreover, this is the same company which is behind the development and maintenance of Ubuntu operating system. Additionally, Snap may be used across all Linux distributions. However, the Snap packages can be installed through command line or these may be downloaded from the Snap website as .snap files. Also, the Snap package Management Software creates separate folders for each application installed so that there is no interference of Apps with the rest of the system.

Furthermore, we will see step by step Installation and Usage of Snap Package Manager on Ubuntu 20.04.

The prerequisite for the installation of Snap Package Manager

• A machine with installed Ubuntu 20.04 Desktop or Server System.
• A root user name and the logging password.

Installation

Although, Snap is installed on the Ubuntu Desktop System by default along with the installation of the operating system. Also, the Snap Package Manager is available in the default software repository of Ubuntu. If the Snap Package Management Software is not installed on your system. Open the command line terminal and issue the following command in the terminal.

sudo apt-get install snapd

Version Check

When the Installation is complete. Verify the version of Snap package manager. Issue the following command to verify the version of Snap package manger in the terminal window.

sudo snap version

We will get the following output of the above command:

Package List

Additionally, we can see the list of all the packages available in Snap Package Repository. Further, open the terminal window and issue the following command.

sudo snap find

However, the output of the command will be like shown below.

Package Name

However, we can install any package available is the Snap repository. Moreover, to install a package open terminal window and execute the following command.

sudo snap install package-name

(Here replace package-name with the name of the package you want to install)

For example, to install vlc media player on Ubuntu 20.04 using Snap Package Management Software. Issue the following command in the terminal windows.

sudo snap install vlc

After the installation of the vlc media player you will get the following output on the screen.

sudo snap install vlc

Refresh Package

Furthermore, we can update the installed package from Snap repository. To update the installed package from Snap repository. Issue the following command in the terminal windows.

sudo snap refresh package-name

(Here replace the package-name with the software package name you wish to update)

For example, to update vlc media player package from Snap repository. Issue the following command in the terminal window.

sudo snap refresh vlc

Additionally, as we have fresh installed the package there will be no updates available and the output message will be as given below.

snap "vlc" has no updates available

Snap List

However, if you want to list all Snap packages, run the following command:

sudo snap list

The output of the above command will be like this:

sudo snap list
Name               Version             Rev    Tracking         Publisher     Notes
atom               1.57.0              282    latest/stable    snapcrafters  classic
brackets           1.14.1              138    latest/stable    snapcrafters  classic
core               16-2.51.3           11420  latest/stable    canonical*    core
core18             20210611            2074   latest/stable    canonical*    base
core20             20210702            1081   latest/stable    canonical*    base
gnome-3-34-1804    0+git.3556cb3       72     latest/stable/…  canonical*    -
gtk-common-themes  0.1-52-gb92ac40     1515   latest/stable/…  canonical*    -
snap-store         3.38.0-64-g23c4c77  547    latest/stable/…  canonical*    -
snapd              2.51.1              12398  latest/stable    canonical*    snapd
vlc                3.0.16              2344   latest/stable    videolan*     -

Recent Changes

However, to see the recent changes, issue the following command in the terminal windows:

sudo snap changes

The output of the above command will be as shown below:

sudo snap changes

Snap Info

Additionally, to see the information about the installed snap packages, issue the following command in the terminal windows. (Here, we will try to get the information about the vlc package we have installed through Snap Package Manager).

sudo snap info vlc

Furthermore, the output of the above command will be as shown below:

Remove Package

However, to remove any package from the system, issue the following command in the command windows:

sudo snap remove package-name      (Here replace the package-name with the name of the package you want to remove from the system)

For example we will use vlc media player as the example package-name to remove from the system.

sudo snap remove vlc

The output of the above command will be as shown below:

That’s all about the Snap Package Manager. This article will help the users to install and user Snap Package Manager.