How to Install APT-Fast on Ubuntu Linux

APT-Fast is an efficient wrapper for “APT,” the default package manager in Ubuntu, designed to accelerate package downloads by using multiple connections to fetch packages in parallel. By leveraging tools like “aria2” or “axel,” APT-Fast can significantly reduce the time it takes to update, upgrade, and install packages on your system, making it particularly useful for users with slower internet connections or those looking to optimize their package management process.

On Ubuntu, APT-Fast can be installed via the command-line by adding the apt-fast/stable LaunchPAD PPA. This PPA ensures you have access to the latest stable version of APT-Fast, providing an easy and reliable way to enhance your package management experience. This guide covers installing APT-Fast, configuring parallel connections and mirrors, and adding it to automated update workflows for efficient system maintenance.

Add APT-FAST LaunchPAD PPA

To begin, access your terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T). Next, input this command to add the LaunchPAD PPA repository:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:apt-fast/stable -y

This adds the APT-Fast stable repository to your system.

Refresh APT Package Index

After adding the repository, refresh your package list to ensure the system recognizes the new source:

sudo apt update

This updates your system’s package list, ensuring it recognizes the newly added APT-Fast repository.

Install APT-Fast with APT Command

Next, install APT-Fast by executing:

sudo apt install apt-fast

The installation shows configuration prompts for APT-Fast, allowing customization based on your preferences.

Choosing the Package Manager

During setup, you’ll be prompted to select a package manager. Options include “apt-get,” “apt,” or “aptitude.” For most users, “apt” or “apt-get” are suitable choices. In this guide, select “apt.”

Setting the Maximum Number of Connections

Next, you’ll decide on the maximum number of connections. The default is 5, but you can adjust it to 10 or 20 based on your network’s strength and personal preference.

If unsure, stick with the default. However, the configuration section below explains how to modify this setting later.

Downloading Packages Before Confirmation

Finally, the last prompt in the APT-Fast installation process concerns the pre-download of installable packages before package manager confirmation. This setting, if enabled, bypasses the usual APT-Fast confirmation dialog.

Make a selection based on your preference.

Understanding APT-Fast

If you are new to APT-Fast, think of it as a turbocharged version of the standard APT package manager. Instead of downloading one package at a time like traditional APT, APT-Fast splits files into multiple chunks and downloads them simultaneously, similar to how download managers accelerate file transfers in web browsers.

Basic APT-Fast Syntax

APT-Fast uses the same command structure as regular APT, making the transition seamless:

sudo apt-fast [apt-command] [package-name]

Simply replace apt with apt-fast in your existing commands. The underlying package manager (APT) handles dependency resolution and installation, while APT-Fast accelerates the download phase through parallel connections.

When to Use APT-Fast

• Large system updates: When upgrading hundreds of packages, parallel downloads save significant time.
• Slower connections: Networks with limited bandwidth benefit most from connection pooling.
• Multiple package installations: Installing software bundles like development tools or desktop environments.
• High-latency networks: Parallel connections reduce the impact of latency on download times.

On the other hand, for single small packages or quick updates, the performance difference between APT and APT-Fast is minimal.

Quick Reference for Common Operations

Task	APT-Fast Command	What It Does
Update package lists	sudo apt-fast update	Refreshes repository metadata with parallel connections
Upgrade installed packages	sudo apt-fast upgrade	Updates packages to latest versions using parallel downloads
Install new software	sudo apt-fast install [package]	Downloads and installs packages with multiple connections
Full system upgrade	sudo apt-fast full-upgrade	Performs complete upgrade with dependency changes
Distribution upgrade	sudo apt-fast dist-upgrade	Major version upgrades with accelerated downloads
Remove packages	sudo apt-fast remove [package]	Uninstalls software (downloads not needed)

Configure APT-Fast

Editing the APT-Fast Configuration File

To tailor APT-Fast settings, begin by editing its configuration file. Use a command-line text editor, such as Nano, for this purpose:

sudo nano /etc/apt-fast.conf

Setting the Maximum Number of Connections

Locate the _MAXNUM variable within the configuration file to adjust the number of connections. For instance, setting the maximum connections to 10 is done by:

_MAXNUM=10

Choosing the Download Manager

Additionally, APT-Fast supports different download accelerators, like Axel and Aaria2, which enhance the efficiency of downloading packages. Understanding these options helps you make an informed choice for your system’s configuration.

• Axel: A light and efficient download accelerator, Axel speeds up the process by using multiple connections for a single download. It’s an excellent choice for users looking for a straightforward, minimalistic solution that integrates well with the existing package management system.
• Aria2: Conversely, Aria2 is a more versatile download utility. It supports various protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, and BitTorrent. Aria2 is known for its flexibility and is suited for users who require a wide range of features and advanced downloading capabilities.

To switch between these download managers in APT-Fast, locate the “DOWNLOADBELOW” line in the configuration file. For aria2, adjust the line to:

DOWNLOADBELOW="aria2c -c -s ${_MAXNUM} -x ${_MAXNUM} -k 1M -q --file-allocation=none"

Alternatively, if you prefer Axel, modify the line as follows:

DOWNLOADBELOW="axel -n ${_MAXNUM}"

Be sure to save your changes after selecting the preferred download manager.

Configuring APT-Fast Mirrors

Furthermore, APT-Fast can leverage multiple mirrors to enhance download speeds. Configure these in the /etc/apt-fast.list file. Open it using nano:

sudo nano /etc/apt-fast.list

Inside this file, you can add or modify the list of mirrors. For example, add the following line to use a mirror from the United States:

deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ $RELEASE main restricted universe multiverse

Replace $RELEASE with the codename for your Ubuntu version. For example, if you’re using Ubuntu 22.04, replace $RELEASE with “jammy.” Similarly, if you’re using Ubuntu 24.04, change “jammy” to “noble.”

Once finished, save and close the file.

Common APT-Fast Package Operations

Basic APT-Fast Commands

APT-Fast enhances the standard APT commands, streamlining package management tasks. Below are key commands to integrate APT-Fast into your workflow.

To update the package list using APT-Fast, run:

sudo apt-fast update

For package installation, such as htop, the command is:

sudo apt-fast install htop

Upgrade APT-Fast Command

Similarly, to update all installed packages to their latest available versions, execute:

sudo apt-fast upgrade

This command ensures that your system’s packages are up-to-date, maintaining functionality and security.

Full Upgrade APT-Fast Command

Additionally, for major version upgrades, like moving from Ubuntu 22.04 to 24.04, use:

sudo apt-fast dist-upgrade

This process can be time-consuming and requires careful attention. Therefore, always back up your important data before initiating a distribution upgrade to safeguard against potential data loss.

First-Time User Tips

Choosing the Right Connection Count

The number of parallel connections significantly impacts download performance. Here are recommendations based on connection type:

• Slow connections (under 10 Mbps): Use 5-10 connections to maximize throughput without overwhelming bandwidth.
• Medium connections (10-50 Mbps): Use 10-16 connections for optimal balance between speed and stability.
• Fast connections (over 50 Mbps): Use 16-20 connections to fully utilize available bandwidth.
• Server/datacenter connections: Use 20+ connections for maximum throughput on high-speed links.

While higher connection counts increase memory usage slightly, they provide diminishing returns beyond 20 connections for most users.

Testing Download Speed Improvements

To measure APT-Fast’s performance gains, compare download times for the same operation:

# Test standard APT speed
time sudo apt install --download-only libreoffice

# Test APT-Fast speed
time sudo apt-fast install --download-only libreoffice

The --download-only flag downloads packages without installing them, allowing fair comparison. Consequently, APT-Fast typically achieves 2-5x faster downloads depending on connection quality and mirror availability.

When to Use Regular APT Instead

While APT-Fast excels at large downloads, standard APT remains preferable for:

• Single small packages: Overhead from parallel connections negates benefits for packages under 5 MB.
• System scripts: Automated scripts should use regular APT for reliability and simpler error handling.
• Troubleshooting: When diagnosing package issues, standard APT provides clearer, more detailed output.
• Unstable connections: Networks with frequent interruptions may experience more failures with parallel downloads.

Troubleshooting Common APT-Fast Issues

PPA Connection Failures

If adding the PPA fails with connection errors, verify your internet connection and try updating certificates:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install ca-certificates
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:apt-fast/stable -y

Alternatively, check if your firewall or proxy blocks Launchpad connections. In particular, corporate networks often require proxy configuration in /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/.

Download Manager Not Found

If APT-Fast reports “aria2c: command not found” or similar errors, install the required download manager:

# Install aria2 (recommended)
sudo apt install aria2

# Or install axel (alternative)
sudo apt install axel

Following installation, verify the configuration file points to the correct download manager in /etc/apt-fast.conf.

Configuration Dialog Not Appearing

If the installation completes without showing configuration prompts, manually reconfigure APT-Fast:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure apt-fast

This reopens the configuration dialogs for package manager selection, connection count, and download behavior.

Mirror Connectivity Problems

When downloads fail or timeout frequently, test mirror availability:

# Test default Ubuntu mirror
curl -I http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/

# Test specific mirror
curl -I http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/

If mirrors respond slowly, select geographically closer mirrors in /etc/apt-fast.list using the Ubuntu mirror list. Subsequently, replace unresponsive mirrors with active alternatives from your region.

Package Verification Errors

If APT-Fast downloads packages but APT reports hash mismatches:

# Clear package cache
sudo apt clean

# Rebuild package lists
sudo apt update

# Retry installation
sudo apt-fast install [package-name]

Typically, hash mismatches occur when mirror synchronization lags or interrupted downloads leave corrupted files in /var/cache/apt/archives/.

Remove APT-Fast

If you eventually need to uninstall APT-Fast and revert to standard APT package management, follow these steps.

Uninstall APT-Fast Package

Remove the APT-Fast package and its configuration files:

sudo apt purge apt-fast

The purge command removes both the package and configuration files in /etc/apt-fast.conf and /etc/apt-fast.list.

Remove APT-Fast PPA

Remove the PPA repository to prevent future update checks:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:apt-fast/stable -y
sudo apt update

Consequently, this removes the repository from /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ and updates package lists.

Remove Download Manager (Optional)

If you no longer need aria2 or axel for other purposes, remove them:

# Remove aria2
sudo apt remove aria2

# Or remove axel
sudo apt remove axel

Following removal, continue using standard apt commands for all package operations. Your system reverts to single-connection downloads with identical functionality to before APT-Fast installation.

Conclusion

APT-Fast accelerates package downloads by leveraging parallel connections through aria2 or axel, significantly reducing update and upgrade times. The PPA setup, connection tuning, download manager selection, and mirror configuration optimize performance for your specific network conditions. Your Ubuntu system now handles package operations more efficiently, particularly beneficial for slower connections, large system updates, or frequent software installations.