How to Install and Use Snap on Ubuntu: A Beginner's Guide (2025)

Introduction

Snap, developed by Canonical—the organization behind Ubuntu—is a modern package management system that simplifies software installation on Linux systems. Unlike traditional package managers, Snap allows for self-contained applications that include all their dependencies, ensuring consistent performance across various Linux distributions.

Snap's containerized approach eliminates the dreaded "dependency hell" and offers significant advantages, such as:

• Self-contained packages: Applications are bundled with all required libraries, avoiding conflicts with other software.
• Automatic updates: Snaps update automatically in the background, keeping applications up-to-date effortlessly.
• Enhanced security: Snaps operate in isolation from the rest of the system, adding an extra security layer.
• Cross-distribution compatibility: A single Snap package can run on any Linux distribution that supports Snap.

This guide will walk you through installing Snap on Ubuntu, using its essential commands, and resolving common issues for new users.

How to Install Snap on Ubuntu

Before beginning, ensure you have sudo privileges on your system. Follow these steps:

1. Update Package Lists sudo apt update
2. Install Snap sudo apt install snapd
3. Verify Installation snap version This command should display version details for both snapd and snap, confirming the successful installation.

Getting Started with Snap

After installing Snap, you can use it to manage applications effectively. Here are the basic commands:

1. Finding Applications
   • Search for an application: snap find <application_name>
   • View detailed information about an application: snap info <application_name>
2. Installing Applications
   • Install a Snap package: sudo snap install <application_name>
   • Install a specific version: sudo snap install <application_name> --channel=<version>/stable
3. Managing Installed Applications
   • List installed Snap packages: snap list
   • Update all Snap packages: sudo snap refresh
   • Update a specific Snap package: sudo snap refresh <application_name>
   • Remove a Snap package: sudo snap remove <application_name>
4. Working with Snap Services
   • View running Snap services: snap services
   • Start or stop a Snap service: sudo snap start/stop <service_name>

Snap packages update automatically by default, but you can manually trigger updates or disable them if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Why is my first Snap installation taking longer than usual?
  The initial installation downloads and sets up the core Snap runtime. Subsequent installations are faster since the core components are already in place.
• How can I fix the "snap: command not found" error?
  This error may occur if the Snap binary isn't in your PATH. Try these steps:
  1. Restart your system.
  2. Run: source /etc/profile
  3. Ensure snapd is installed: sudo apt install snapd
• Can I use Snap alongside apt?
  Yes, Snap and apt work independently, allowing you to manage different package types without conflicts.
• Why are Snap packages larger than their apt counterparts?
  Snap packages bundle all dependencies to ensure compatibility and isolation, which increases their size.
• How can I disable automatic updates for Snap packages?
  To disable updates for a specific Snap: sudo snap refresh --hold <application_name> To re-enable updates: sudo snap refresh --unhold <application_name>
• What should I do if a Snap package isn't working?
  1. Check the application's status: snap list <application_name>
  2. Reinstall the application: sudo snap remove <application_name> && sudo snap install <application_name>
  3. Ensure snapd is running: sudo systemctl status snapd
  4. Check system logs: journalctl -u snapd

Conclusion

Snap is a powerful tool that simplifies software installation and management on Linux systems. By packaging applications with all their dependencies, Snap ensures consistent performance and eliminates compatibility issues across distributions. Whether you're a developer or a user, Snap offers a convenient and secure way to handle applications.

For a reliable cloud service provider, consider exploring SurferCloud. SurferCloud offers robust cloud solutions to meet all your business needs.