What the Message Means
New release '25.10' available. Run 'do-release-upgrade' to upgrade to it.
This is a notification from Ubuntu’s update manager telling you that a newer Ubuntu version (25.10) has been published and is now reachable from the repositories your system is using. It appears when you are running an earlier release—most commonly the immediate predecessor 25.04—or any supported version that can upgrade to 25.10.
Key Points
| Aspect | Explanation |
|---|---|
| New Release | Ubuntu 25.10 (code‑name Plucky Puffin) is the next interim release after 25.04. It brings updated packages, new features, bug‑fixes and security patches. |
do-release-upgrade |
This command is part of the Ubuntu Release Upgrader (update-manager-core). Running it launches an automated upgrade: it downloads the new packages, resolves dependencies, updates configuration files, and reboots when finished. |
| When to Upgrade | • If you are on an interim release (e.g., 25.04) you are encouraged to move to 25.10 to stay current. • If you are on an LTS release (e.g., 24.04), you may prefer to stay until the next LTS (26.04) unless you need a specific feature from 25.10. |
| Support Window | Interim releases receive updates for 9 months only (until April 2026 for 25.10). LTS releases get 5 years of support. |
| Potential Issues | Upgrades can stumble on held packages, incomplete updates, or third‑party PPAs. Users have reported occasional failures when moving from 25.04 → 25.10 and when upgrading from older LTS versions directly to 25.10. Preparing the system first helps avoid these problems. |
How to Perform the Upgrade
Back Up Important Data – Always create a backup (e.g., using
rsync, Timeshift, or an external drive) before a major OS upgrade.Ensure Your Current System Is Fully Updated
sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade # apply all pending upgrades sudo apt full-upgrade # optional, for any remaining changes sudo apt autoremove # clean up unused packagesStart the Release Upgrade
sudo do-release-upgrade- The tool will check for the new release, download the required packages, and present a series of prompts (e.g., about keeping or replacing configuration files).
- Follow the on‑screen instructions. The process may take some time depending on your internet speed and hardware.
Reboot – After the upgrade finishes, the system will ask you to reboot. Do so to start using Ubuntu 25.10.
If the Upgrade Fails
- Check for Held Packages:
sudo apt-mark showholdand unhold any that block the upgrade. - Disable Third‑Party PPAs temporarily (comment them out in
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/). - Run the Upgrade in Debug Mode:
sudo do-release-upgrade -d(use with caution). - Consider a Fresh Install – If problems persist, backing up your data and performing a clean installation of 25.10 can be a more reliable route.
Choosing Between LTS and Interim
- Stay on LTS (e.g., 24.04) if you need long‑term stability, minimal changes, or production‑grade reliability.
- Move to 25.10 if you want the latest software, hardware support, or want to test new features. Remember that you’ll need to upgrade again within nine months (to 26.04 or the next interim) to stay supported.
Quick Reference Commands
| Goal | Command |
|---|---|
| Update package lists | sudo apt update |
| Upgrade installed packages | sudo apt upgrade |
| Full upgrade (including removals) | sudo apt full-upgrade |
| Remove unused packages | sudo apt autoremove |
| Start release upgrade | sudo do-release-upgrade |
| Show held packages | sudo apt-mark showhold |
In short: The notification tells you that Ubuntu 25.10 is ready to install. Run sudo do-release-upgrade after backing up your data and ensuring your current system is fully updated. This will migrate you to the new release while preserving your files and settings.