How to Install LibreOffice on Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04 and 22.04

Ubuntu Desktop often ships LibreOffice already, but minimal installs, server images, and readers who want newer builds still need a clear way to add or upgrade the suite. If you need to install LibreOffice on Ubuntu, Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math are available through Ubuntu’s own package and a few maintained alternative channels.

The default APT package fits most systems, while the Fresh PPA, Flatpak, and Snap options help when you want a newer release or a different update channel. LibreOffice also publishes Linux DEB archives on its official download page, but Ubuntu’s package-manager routes handle updates and dependencies more cleanly.

Install LibreOffice on Ubuntu

Each channel balances version freshness, update behavior, and desktop integration differently. This comparison makes it easier to pick the package format that fits your setup.

Method	Source	Channel	Updates	Best Fit
APT (Default)	Ubuntu Universe	Distro release package	APT updates	Most readers, especially on Ubuntu 26.04
Fresh PPA	LibreOffice Fresh PPA	Fresh PPA APT channel	APT-managed updates	Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 users who want a newer APT candidate
Flatpak	Flathub	Flathub stable	flatpak update	Readers who prefer Flathub app and runtime updates
Snap	Snap Store	latest/stable, Canonical-published	Automatic via snapd	Readers who already rely on Snap on Ubuntu

• Use Ubuntu’s default APT package if you want the version packaged for your release and the simplest maintenance path.
• Use the Fresh PPA if you are on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 and want a newer APT build than the default repository offers. On Ubuntu 26.04, the Fresh PPA currently matches Ubuntu’s own 26.2.2 package.
• Use Flatpak if you want the current Flathub build and do not mind the larger runtime download. LibreOffice’s Flatpak has broad host filesystem access, so treat it as a packaging and update-channel choice rather than strict isolation.
• Use Snap if you already keep desktop applications in the Snap ecosystem and want automatic background updates.

Ubuntu’s default APT package works on 26.04, 24.04, and 22.04. The Fresh PPA now publishes packages for all three releases, but it mainly changes the version on Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 because Ubuntu 26.04 already carries the same 26.2.2 package build.

Install LibreOffice from Ubuntu Default Repositories

Ubuntu’s own libreoffice metapackage is the cleanest starting point when you want the distro-maintained suite. It installs from the universe component, so minimal systems may need that repository enabled before APT can see a candidate.

Compare Ubuntu’s Default LibreOffice Version by Release

Ubuntu release	Default suite branch	Component	Notes
26.04	26.2.2.x	Universe	Current default package on Resolute
24.04	24.2.7.x	Universe	Older than the Fresh PPA, Flatpak, and Snap channels
22.04	7.3.7.x	Universe	Oldest distro default in the supported Ubuntu scope

Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 also expose 25.8.x builds through -backports at a lower APT priority. The default candidate still stays on the branch above unless you deliberately pull from backports or switch to the Fresh PPA.

On Ubuntu 22.04, current package metadata should resolve the metapackage and the main LibreOffice components from the same 7.3.7.x update branch. If a regional mirror briefly shows the older 7.3.2 metapackage beside 7.3.7 components and APT reports unmet dependencies, refresh the package index or switch mirrors before changing install methods.

Check Whether LibreOffice Is Already Installed on Ubuntu

Ubuntu Desktop often includes LibreOffice already, including many Ubuntu 24.04 desktop installs. Check before installing if you only need to confirm the suite is present or see which version your system has.

command -v libreoffice && libreoffice --version || echo "LibreOffice is not installed"

Update Ubuntu Package Index for LibreOffice

Refresh APT before installing the suite so Ubuntu uses the latest package metadata from your enabled repositories.

sudo apt update

These commands use sudo for tasks that need root privileges. If your account is not in the sudoers file yet, run them as root or follow our guide to add a new user to sudoers on Ubuntu Linux.

Install the LibreOffice Suite on Ubuntu

Install the full metapackage to pull in Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math. Ubuntu also publishes component packages such as libreoffice-writer, libreoffice-calc, and libreoffice-base if you only need one application, but the full suite is the cleanest default for most desktop installs.

On current Ubuntu LTS releases, the full suite also installs default-jre, so most readers do not need a separate Java package just to open Base.

sudo apt install libreoffice -y

LibreOffice lives in Ubuntu’s universe component. If a minimal install later shows Candidate: (none) for libreoffice, enable that component first with the steps in our guide to enable Universe and Multiverse in Ubuntu Linux.

Verify the LibreOffice Package Version on Ubuntu

The command-line version check works headlessly on the supported Ubuntu LTS releases, so it is a safe way to confirm the package installed correctly.

libreoffice --version

LibreOffice 26.2.2.2 620(Build:2)

Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 install older distro builds by default, as shown in the release table above.

Install LibreOffice from the Fresh PPA on Ubuntu

The Fresh PPA is the newer APT route for readers who want a newer suite than Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 installs by default. Compared with the direct packages on LibreOffice.org, it keeps updates inside APT, uses Ubuntu-built dependencies, and upgrades the same libreoffice package names you already get from Ubuntu’s repositories.

Use the Fresh PPA only when you specifically want its APT-managed build. LibreOffice’s packaging team describes it as a backports and testing stream, not the default path for every Ubuntu desktop. On Ubuntu 26.04, the PPA currently publishes the same 26.2.2 package version as Ubuntu’s own repository, so the default APT method remains the cleaner 26.04 choice.

Treat it as one moving APT channel, not a menu of older LibreOffice branches. You do not need to remove Ubuntu’s package first, and enabling the PPA does not create a second APT copy of LibreOffice alongside the distro package.

LibreOffice also publishes a Still PPA and a Pre-Releases PPA, but they are not separate methods this guide recommends for most readers. The Still PPA currently lacks a resolute Release file and tracks the older “still” branch, while the Pre-Releases PPA is explicitly for alpha, beta, and early release-candidate testing.

Install the Add-apt-repository Helper on Ubuntu if Needed

Standard Ubuntu desktops usually already include the repository helper, but minimal images can miss it. If your system returns add-apt-repository: command not found, install the helper first.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install software-properties-common -y

Add the Fresh LibreOffice PPA on Ubuntu

Add the Launchpad PPA that currently publishes packages for resolute, noble, and jammy.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa -y

Refresh APT and Check the Fresh PPA Candidate on Ubuntu

Refresh APT first so the new Launchpad source appears in the package index, then confirm that LibreOffice now resolves from the PPA.

sudo apt update

APT may show ppa.launchpadcontent.net fetch lines during the refresh. Use the policy check below as the stable proof that the PPA is now participating in package selection.

apt-cache policy libreoffice

libreoffice:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 4:26.2.2.2-0ubuntu0.24.04.1~lo1
  Version table:
     4:26.2.2.2-0ubuntu0.24.04.1~lo1 500
        500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/libreoffice/ppa/ubuntu noble/main amd64 Packages

Ubuntu 22.04 shows the same upstream version from the jammy path, with the package suffix ending in ~lo2 instead of ~lo1. Ubuntu 26.04 shows 26.2.2 from both the default resolute/universe source and the Fresh PPA, so the PPA does not currently provide a newer 26.04 candidate.

On Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04, that candidate replaces Ubuntu’s default APT candidate for the same package names. After this point, a normal sudo apt install libreoffice or later sudo apt install --only-upgrade libreoffice follows the PPA until you remove that source again. On Ubuntu 26.04, APT can show both the default repository and the PPA for the same package version.

Install LibreOffice from the Fresh PPA on Ubuntu

Install the suite with APT. If Ubuntu’s default package is already present, this upgrades it in place to the PPA build rather than creating a second LibreOffice installation.

sudo apt install libreoffice -y

The real maintenance clash is mixing this APT or PPA path with Flatpak or Snap at the same time. Ubuntu’s own package and the Fresh PPA share the same APT package names, menu entries, and libreoffice launcher, while Flatpak and Snap add separate package formats with their own update tracks.

Verify the PPA-installed LibreOffice Version on Ubuntu

Check the installed version after APT finishes.

libreoffice --version

LibreOffice 26.2.2.2 620(Build:2)

Ubuntu 26.04 readers can use this method, but it currently installs the same upstream version as Ubuntu’s own repository. If you are on 26.04 and only want LibreOffice 26.2.2, keep the default APT package.

Install LibreOffice with Flatpak on Ubuntu

Flatpak gives you the current Flathub stable build across Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04, and 22.04. The trade-off is a larger initial download because Flatpak also pulls the runtime it needs, and LibreOffice’s Flatpak grants host filesystem access so documents can be opened from normal folders.

Install Flatpak and Enable Flathub on Ubuntu

Ubuntu does not ship Flatpak by default. If you want the broader desktop-integration steps as well, our guide to install Flatpak on Ubuntu Linux covers the full runtime setup.

Install Flatpak first, then add Flathub as a system remote so the app installs at the same system scope.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install flatpak -y
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Verify the Flathub Remote on Ubuntu

Confirm that Flathub is available at system scope before you install the app.

flatpak remotes --columns=name,options | grep -E '^flathub[[:space:]]'

flathub system

Install the LibreOffice Flatpak on Ubuntu

Install LibreOffice from Flathub after the remote is in place.

sudo flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice -y

Verify the Flatpak LibreOffice Package on Ubuntu

Use flatpak info to confirm the app ID, branch, version, and installation scope. Relevant output includes:

flatpak info org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

LibreOffice - The LibreOffice productivity suite

          ID: org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
         Ref: app/org.libreoffice.LibreOffice/x86_64/stable
        Arch: x86_64
      Branch: stable
     Version: 26.2.3.2
      Origin: flathub
Installation: system

Install LibreOffice with Snap on Ubuntu

Snap is the quickest store-backed route when you already use snapd on Ubuntu. Standard Ubuntu desktops ship with Snap, but minimal systems can still miss it, so do not assume the snap command exists everywhere.

Install Snapd on Ubuntu if Needed

Skip this step when snap --version already works. On minimal systems where the command is missing, install snapd first.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd -y

Install the LibreOffice Snap on Ubuntu

Install the stable Snap package from the Snap Store.

sudo snap install libreoffice

Verify the Snap LibreOffice Package on Ubuntu

Check the tracked channel and the installed revision after the snap finishes downloading. The grep command in Linux with examples explains the filter syntax if you want to adapt that check later.

snap info libreoffice | grep -E 'tracking:|installed:'

tracking:     latest/stable
installed:          25.8.6.2            (369) 1.26GB -

If you also keep the APT package, desktop launchers and shell commands can point to different LibreOffice builds. Keep one package format when you want the least confusing maintenance path.

Launch LibreOffice on Ubuntu

LibreOffice installs cleanly from a terminal, but the suite itself still needs a graphical session to open. On server or minimal systems, use the install and version checks from this article first, then launch LibreOffice only after you sign into a desktop session.

Launch LibreOffice from the Applications Menu on Ubuntu

Search for “LibreOffice” in the Activities overview. You will see entries for the main LibreOffice Start Center as well as individual applications like Writer, Calc, and Impress. Click the entry you want and LibreOffice opens in the current desktop session.

Launch LibreOffice from the Terminal on Ubuntu

Use the launcher command that matches the package format you installed.

# APT or PPA
libreoffice

# Flatpak
flatpak run org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

# Snap
snap run libreoffice

Troubleshoot LibreOffice on Ubuntu

Most LibreOffice issues on Ubuntu come down to repository scope or mixing multiple package formats on the same system. These checks cover the most common failures you are likely to hit with the supported install methods.

Fix a Missing LibreOffice Candidate on Ubuntu

LibreOffice lives in Ubuntu’s universe repository component. When a minimal image leaves that component disabled, apt-cache policy libreoffice can report Candidate: (none).

sudo add-apt-repository -y universe
sudo apt update

Only universe is required for LibreOffice, but the broader guide to enable Universe and Multiverse in Ubuntu Linux covers the other component toggles if your system also needs them.

Update LibreOffice on Ubuntu

Use the update path that matches the package format you installed. The commands below keep each method on its own update track.

Update the APT or PPA LibreOffice Package on Ubuntu

Refresh APT, then upgrade just the LibreOffice package instead of every package on the system.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install --only-upgrade libreoffice -y

Update the Flatpak LibreOffice Package on Ubuntu

Use the same system scope that the Flatpak install method used.

sudo flatpak update org.libreoffice.LibreOffice -y

Update the Snap LibreOffice Package on Ubuntu

snapd refreshes the package automatically, but you can trigger the refresh immediately when you want the current stable revision now.

sudo snap refresh libreoffice

Remove LibreOffice on Ubuntu

Remove only the package format you actually installed. Keeping the cleanup split this way prevents you from deleting a source or runtime that another method still uses.

Remove the APT LibreOffice Package on Ubuntu

Remove the Ubuntu package and let APT show you which automatically installed dependencies it also wants to clean up.

sudo apt remove --autoremove libreoffice

Review the removal list before you confirm it. Because libreoffice is a metapackage, APT can also remove fonts, Java components, and other support packages that were pulled in with the suite, and on reused systems it may include older auto-removable packages in the same preview.

Confirm that no installed LibreOffice package remains, then check that Ubuntu’s own repository candidate is back in control. Relevant output includes:

dpkg-query -l 'libreoffice*' 2>/dev/null | grep '^ii' || echo "NO_INSTALLED_LIBREOFFICE_PACKAGES"

NO_INSTALLED_LIBREOFFICE_PACKAGES

apt-cache policy libreoffice

libreoffice:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 4:26.2.2.2-0ubuntu1
  Version table:
     4:26.2.2.2-0ubuntu1 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/universe amd64 Packages

That result confirms the package is removed while Ubuntu’s own universe candidate is still available if you reinstall it later. If the dpkg-query check still lists LibreOffice components, review them before removing any packages that another desktop task or user profile still needs.

Remove the Fresh PPA on Ubuntu

Remove the PPA only if you added ppa:libreoffice/ppa. This step removes the repository source, but it does not uninstall an already-installed LibreOffice package on its own. For a broader repository cleanup walkthrough, see our guide to remove a PPA from Ubuntu Linux.

sudo add-apt-repository --remove -y ppa:libreoffice/ppa
sudo apt update

Confirm that the live PPA source no longer appears in LibreOffice policy output:

apt-cache policy libreoffice | grep -F ppa.launchpadcontent.net || echo "PPA_SOURCE_REMOVED"

PPA_SOURCE_REMOVED

If the PPA package is still installed after you remove the source, apt-cache policy shows the installed package under /var/lib/dpkg/status. Relevant output includes:

apt-cache policy libreoffice

libreoffice:
  Installed: 4:26.2.2.2-0ubuntu0.24.04.1~lo1
  Candidate: 4:26.2.2.2-0ubuntu0.24.04.1~lo1
  Version table:
 *** 4:26.2.2.2-0ubuntu0.24.04.1~lo1 100
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Remove the package first if you want Ubuntu to fall back to the distro repository. That 100 /var/lib/dpkg/status line is local package history, not a live PPA candidate.

Remove the Flatpak LibreOffice Package on Ubuntu

Remove the app first.

sudo flatpak remove org.libreoffice.LibreOffice -y

Then run the unused-runtime cleanup separately so you can review whether Flatpak wants to remove runtimes or extensions used by other applications.

sudo flatpak uninstall --unused

Verify that the app ID no longer appears in the installed app list.

flatpak list --system --app --columns=application | grep -Fx org.libreoffice.LibreOffice || echo "NOT_INSTALLED"

NOT_INSTALLED

Remove the Snap LibreOffice Package on Ubuntu

Remove the Snap package with --purge when you want a clean app removal without snapd saving an automatic recovery snapshot. Use plain sudo snap remove libreoffice only if you intentionally want snapd to keep that snapshot.

sudo snap remove --purge libreoffice

Confirm the snap is no longer installed:

snap list libreoffice 2>/dev/null || echo "NOT_INSTALLED"

NOT_INSTALLED

Check for Leftover LibreOffice User Data on Ubuntu

If LibreOffice has not been opened in a graphical session yet, a LibreOffice-specific user-data directory may not exist. Check first instead of deleting guessed paths.

find "$HOME" -maxdepth 4 \( -path "$HOME/.config/libreoffice" -o -path "$HOME/.cache/libreoffice" -o -path "$HOME/.local/share/libreoffice" -o -path "$HOME/.var/app/org.libreoffice.LibreOffice" -o -path "$HOME/snap/libreoffice" \) -print

If the command prints nothing, there is no matching LibreOffice data directory to remove for that account.

Conclusion

LibreOffice is installed on Ubuntu and ready for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and the rest of the suite, whether you kept the distro package or switched to a newer build. If a minimal system still cannot see the package, start with the guide to enable Universe and Multiverse in Ubuntu Linux, and if you decide the Flathub route suits you better long term, install Flatpak on Ubuntu Linux covers the broader runtime setup.