Upgrading your Ubuntu operating system ensures access to the latest features, security patches, and performance enhancements. If you are running a VPS server or managing a personal system, transitioning from Ubuntu 20.04 to Ubuntu 22.04 can improve stability and introduce new software optimizations.

Step 1: Backup Your Data

Before starting the upgrade process, it is essential to create a full backup of your important files and system settings.

tar -czvf backup.tar.gz /home/user/

Additionally, if your system is running on a cloud platform, consider taking a snapshot for quick recovery.

Step 2: Update Your Current System

Ensure that your Ubuntu 20.04 system is fully updated before upgrading.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Remove unnecessary dependencies:

sudo apt autoremove

Step 3: Install the Update Manager

The update-manager-core package is required for upgrading between Ubuntu versions. Ensure it is installed:

sudo apt install update-manager-core

Step 4: Start the Upgrade Process

Once the system is up to date, begin the upgrade process by running:

sudo do-release-upgrade -d

The -d flag ensures that Ubuntu checks for new development releases if the upgrade is not yet detected as stable.

Step 5: Follow the On-Screen Prompts

During the upgrade process, you will receive prompts to confirm package upgrades and resolve configuration file changes. Select “Yes” or “Keep Existing” based on your preference.

If any services require a restart, choose the option to allow automatic restarts when prompted.

Step 6: Reboot the System

After the upgrade process completes, reboot your system to finalize the changes:

sudo reboot

Step 7: Verify the Upgrade

Once the system restarts, check the Ubuntu version to confirm the upgrade:

lsb_release -a

It should display:

Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Upgrade Not Available?

If the upgrade is not detected, ensure that the /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades file is set to Prompt=lts:

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

2. System Boot Issues?

If the system fails to boot after the upgrade, access the GRUB menu and select an older kernel version to boot into the system, then troubleshoot from there.

Conclusion

Upgrading from Ubuntu 20.04 to Ubuntu 22.04 ensures enhanced security, better performance, and long-term support. Whether running on a VPS server or a personal machine, following this guide will help you smoothly transition to the latest Ubuntu release.