KDE neon users now have the opportunity to upgrade and base their systems on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
For those who may not be aware, KDE neon is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu and serves as a kind of reference platform for the KDE Plasma desktop environment. It comes in several editions: User, Testing, Unstable, and Developer.
The KDE neon (User Edition) is considered the ‘stable’ version, but it is typically described as being tailored for ‘adventurous KDE enthusiasts’ rather than users looking for a completely stable and reliable distribution. Unlike distros such as Kubuntu, KDE neon does not undergo extensive testing.
However, if you’re interested in the features offered by the Ubuntu 24.04 package set along with the latest KDE Plasma 6.2 release (and with guaranteed upgrades to subsequent versions like KDE Plasma 6.3, 6.4, and beyond), then KDE neon is the right choice for you.
In an announcement shared on the KDE discuss forum, KDE developer Jonathan Esk-Riddell stated:
“We have just activated the upgrade for KDE neon to rebase on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This transition happens every two years, and the previous 22.04 LTS base was becoming increasingly outdated, leading to issues such as old Pipewire causing problems and certain packages like Krita failing to compile.”
Upgrade KDE neon to Ubuntu 24.04
Upgrade available, y’all
Upgrading your current KDE neon edition that is built on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to a version that is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is a straightforward process.
You will receive a notification in the corner of your screen notifying you that the update is ready. When this message appears, simply click the action button in the notification and follow the prompts that appear on your screen.
Make sure to back up your important files, settings, and configurations before starting the upgrade. Users in the KDE neon sub-forum have shared their experiences regarding issues encountered during or after the upgrade.
During the upgrade, you might see a dialog box asking you how to handle a “Configuration File Change.” Select “Keep,” and the upgrade will proceed. Once the upgrade is complete, you’ll be prompted to clean up by removing obsolete packages, after which you can restart your system.
If you’re utilizing the Firefox DEB, you might notice that the Firefox snap is reinstated. The upgrade process disables third-party repositories, causing any pinned package configurations to be overlooked.
For further information, visit the KDE neon wiki.
Not using KDE neon yet?
If you do not currently have KDE neon installed but wish to set it up with the Ubuntu 24.04 base seamlessly, without any upgrade complications, we have options for you.
At the time of this writing, the KDE neon downloads available on the official site are built on Ubuntu 22.04 ‘jammy’. The new Ubuntu 24.04 ‘Noble’ ISOs are currently being tested, in case you’re interested in getting an early glimpse, and they will be added to the default downloads soon.