How to Install GParted on Ubuntu Linux

When you install GParted on Ubuntu, you gain a graphical tool to create, resize, move, and delete disk partitions without data loss. Whether you need to shrink an existing partition to make room for a dual-boot setup, recover space from an old installation, or format a USB drive with a specific file system, GParted handles these tasks with a visual approach that reduces the risk of command-line errors.

By the end of this guide, you will have GParted installed on Ubuntu, know how to launch it with proper permissions, and understand how to update or remove it when needed. The guide covers both the default Ubuntu repository and an optional PPA for users who want the latest release.

Choose Your GParted Installation Method

Ubuntu provides GParted through its default repositories, while the xtradeb PPA offers newer versions with additional features and bug fixes. The table below compares both options to help you decide which fits your needs.

Method	Channel	Version	Updates	Best For
APT (Default)	Ubuntu Repos	Distribution default	Automatic via apt upgrade	Most users who prefer stable, tested packages
APT (xtradeb PPA)	Launchpad PPA	Latest stable	Automatic via apt upgrade	Users who need newer features or bug fixes

We recommend the default APT method for most users because it provides a stable, tested version that integrates seamlessly with Ubuntu’s update system. Only use the PPA if you specifically need features from the latest GParted release.

This guide supports Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and 24.04 LTS installations. The xtradeb PPA supports these releases but may not provide packages for future Ubuntu versions immediately after release, while the default repository method works across all Ubuntu versions. Commands shown work identically on both supported LTS releases.

Update Your Ubuntu System Before GParted Installation

Before installing GParted, refresh your package lists to ensure you install the latest available version:

sudo apt update

Install GParted via APT

Option 1: Install GParted from Default Repository

Ubuntu includes GParted in its default repositories, making installation straightforward without adding external sources. To install GParted, run the following command:

sudo apt install gparted

Verify that the installation completed successfully by checking the installed version. The output confirms GParted is accessible from your terminal:

gparted --version

Expected output (version varies by Ubuntu release):

Ubuntu 22.04: gparted 1.3.1
Ubuntu 24.04: gparted 1.5.0

Option 2: Install GParted from xtradeb PPA

If you prefer a newer version of GParted with the latest features and bug fixes, install it from the xtradeb PPA. A PPA (Personal Package Archive) is a community-maintained repository hosted on Launchpad that provides updated packages not yet available in Ubuntu’s official repositories.

Minimal Ubuntu installations may not include the add-apt-repository command. If the next command fails with “command not found,” first run sudo apt install software-properties-common to install it.

Add the PPA to your system:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xtradeb/apps -y

This command adds the xtradeb PPA and automatically updates your package lists. Next, install GParted from the newly added repository:

sudo apt install gparted

After installation, confirm the PPA version is active by checking the package source:

apt-cache policy gparted

Expected output showing the PPA as the package source:

Ubuntu 22.04:
gparted:
  Installed: 1.6.0-1xtradeb1
  Candidate: 1.6.0-1xtradeb1
  Version table:
 *** 1.6.0-1xtradeb1 500
        500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/xtradeb/apps/ubuntu jammy/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.3.1-1ubuntu1 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy/main amd64 Packages

Ubuntu 24.04:
gparted:
  Installed: 1.7.0-1xtradeb1.2404.1
  Candidate: 1.7.0-1xtradeb1.2404.1
  Version table:
 *** 1.7.0-1xtradeb1.2404.1 500
        500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/xtradeb/apps/ubuntu noble/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1.5.0-1build4 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble/universe amd64 Packages

The output confirms the PPA version is installed and takes priority over the default repository version.

Launch GParted on Ubuntu

GParted requires root privileges to access and modify disk partitions. This section covers both terminal and graphical methods for launching the application.

Launch GParted from Terminal

To launch GParted from the terminal, use sudo to provide the necessary root permissions:

sudo gparted

After entering your password, the GParted graphical interface opens with full access to all disk operations.

Launch GParted from Applications Menu

For users who prefer the graphical interface, you can access GParted through the Ubuntu applications menu. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the Activities button in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Type “GParted” in the search bar.
3. Click on the GParted icon to launch the application.
4. Enter your password when prompted for authentication.

Update GParted

GParted updates automatically when you run system updates. However, if you want to update only GParted without upgrading other packages, use the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade gparted

After the upgrade completes, verify the new version is active:

gparted --version

The output confirms the updated version is now installed.

Remove GParted

If you no longer need GParted, you can remove it along with its configuration files and unused dependencies.

Remove GParted Package

To remove GParted and purge its configuration files, run:

sudo apt remove --purge gparted

Next, remove any orphaned dependencies that APT installed alongside GParted:

sudo apt autoremove

Remove xtradeb PPA (If Installed)

If you installed GParted from the xtradeb PPA and want to remove the repository, run:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:xtradeb/apps -y

For more detailed instructions on managing PPAs, see our guide on how to remove a PPA from Ubuntu.

Verify GParted Removal

After removal, refresh your package cache and confirm GParted is no longer installed:

sudo apt update

Next, check the package status to confirm removal:

apt-cache policy gparted

Expected output confirming successful removal:

Ubuntu 22.04:
gparted:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 1.3.1-1ubuntu1
  Version table:
     1.3.1-1ubuntu1 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy/main amd64 Packages

Ubuntu 24.04:
gparted:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 1.5.0-1build4
  Version table:
     1.5.0-1build4 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble/universe amd64 Packages

The Installed: (none) line confirms you have completely removed GParted from your system.

Troubleshoot GParted Issues

GParted Shows No Disks or Partitions

If GParted opens but displays an empty partition list with the message “No devices detected,” the application launched without root privileges. You will see this error in the terminal:

Unable to open /dev/sda read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sda has been opened read-only.

Close GParted and relaunch it using sudo gparted from the terminal. If launching from the applications menu, ensure you enter your password when the authentication prompt appears. Verify you have root access by checking that all connected drives appear in the device dropdown menu at the top-right of the GParted window.

Cannot Modify a Partition

When you attempt to resize or modify a partition, GParted may show this error:

Unable to resize partition: partition is currently mounted

This occurs because GParted cannot modify partitions that are currently in use. Check if the partition is mounted by looking for a key icon next to the partition label. Right-click the partition and select Unmount. After unmounting, the key icon disappears and resize/move operations become available.

For system partitions like your root filesystem (/), you cannot unmount them while Ubuntu is running. Instead, boot from a GParted Live USB or Ubuntu installation media, select “Try Ubuntu,” and launch GParted from there to modify system partitions.

Operations Queue Not Applying

GParted queues all partition changes until you explicitly apply them. If you resize a partition but see no changes when you reboot, you likely forgot to apply the operations queue. After making your desired changes, click the green checkmark button in the toolbar or go to Edit → Apply All Operations. A confirmation dialog appears showing the pending operations:

Are you sure you want to apply the pending operations?

1. Resize /dev/sda1 from 500 GB to 300 GB
2. Create ext4 partition on /dev/sda2 (200 GB)

Review the list carefully before clicking Apply, as partition changes cannot be undone once the operation completes. After applying, GParted shows a progress bar and displays “All operations completed successfully” when finished.

Conclusion

You now have GParted installed on Ubuntu with the ability to resize, create, and manage disk partitions through its graphical interface. The default repository provides a stable version suitable for most tasks, while the xtradeb PPA offers the latest release for users who need newer features. Before making partition changes on drives containing important data, consider setting up Timeshift for system backups to protect against unexpected issues.