How to Install Synaptic Package Manager on Ubuntu

Synaptic Package Manager provides a graphical interface for APT, making software management on Ubuntu accessible without memorizing terminal commands. Whether you need to search through thousands of available packages, batch-install multiple applications, or troubleshoot broken dependencies, Synaptic offers visual tools that simplify these tasks. By the end of this guide, you will have Synaptic installed and configured, with practical tips for navigating its interface and managing your system software effectively.

This guide supports Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and 24.04 LTS installations. Synaptic is available in Ubuntu’s default repositories, so commands work identically on both supported LTS releases.

Update Ubuntu Before Installation

First, update your system to ensure all existing packages are up to date. This step helps prevent conflicts during the installation process.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install Synaptic Package Manager via Terminal Command

Synaptic is available in Ubuntu’s default repositories, which means it receives automatic security updates alongside your system packages. To install it, open your terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt install synaptic

The default repository method provides automatic security updates and stable, tested packages. After the installation completes, verify that Synaptic is ready by checking the package status:

apt-cache policy synaptic

The output confirms the installed version and source repository. Depending on your Ubuntu version, you should see version 0.90.x (22.04 LTS) or 0.91.x (24.04 LTS):

synaptic:
  Installed: 0.91.3build4
  Candidate: 0.91.3build4
  Version table:
 *** 0.91.3build4 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble/universe amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Launch Synaptic Package Manager UI

Once installed, you can launch Synaptic from the terminal. Since Synaptic requires root privileges to modify system packages, run it with sudo:

sudo synaptic

Alternatively, most desktop users access Synaptic through the application menu. When launching from the menu, your desktop environment will prompt for your password:

Activities > Show Applications > Synaptic Package Manager

A brief message might explain how the program works the first time you launch Synaptic Package Manager. Designed to give new users a general overview of the tool’s capabilities, you can dismiss this message by clicking the “Do not show this message again” option. Once dismissed, the message won’t appear again unless you choose to enable it at startup.

Navigate the Synaptic Interface

With Synaptic installed, the following tips help you work efficiently in the package manager interface:

Search and Install Packages

• Keep Your Package List Updated: Always refresh your package list before installing or upgrading. Use the Reload button in Synaptic to accomplish this.
• Quick Search: Utilize the Quick Filter box for a faster package search instead of scrolling through the extensive list.
• Check Package Details: For an informed decision, click on a package to view its detailed description, version, dependencies, and more before installing or removing it.
• Package Statuses: Synaptic employs various icons representing package statuses such as installed, not installed, and upgradable. Familiarizing with these icons will enhance your user experience.
• Avoid Multiple Package Managers: Running multiple package managers like apt, apt-get, and Software Center simultaneously can lead to conflicts. Stick to one at a time.

Customize the Display

• Customize Columns: Adjust the display columns in Synaptic to your liking. Right-click on the column headers and select or deselect attributes.
• Set Preferences: For a tailored experience, go to Settings > Preferences. Here, you can modify various settings related to the package list, network, and distributions.
• Choose a Theme: If the default appearance doesn’t resonate with you, navigate to Settings > Themes to pick a different theme.

Track Changes and Fix Issues

• Use the History Feature: This allows you to track and review all your changes. This can be especially useful for troubleshooting and understanding system changes over time.
• Mark All Upgrades: Use the Mark All Upgrades button to easily upgrade all packages with available updates. It’s a quick way to keep your system updated.
• Dependencies: When installing a new package, Synaptic will inform you about its dependencies. Ensure you review and understand them before proceeding with the installation.
• Fix Broken Packages: If a package installation fails or is interrupted, navigate to Edit > Fix Broken Packages to resolve dependency conflicts. This feature attempts to correct incomplete installations and restore your package database to a consistent state.

Troubleshoot Common Issues

Most users can launch and use Synaptic without issues on standard Ubuntu desktop installations. However, alternative desktop environments and minimal installs may require additional configuration.

Install PolicyKit for Alternative Desktop Environments

If you use an alternative desktop environment on Ubuntu and encounter issues launching Synaptic from the application menu, the likely cause is the absence of a PolicyKit authentication agent. PolicyKit handles the password prompt that grants Synaptic administrative privileges.

To resolve this issue, you can install the relevant PolicyKit package for your desktop environment using one of the following commands:

lxpolkit – for the LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment):

sudo apt install lxpolkit

mate-polkit – for the Mate Desktop Environment:

sudo apt install mate-polkit

policykit-1-gnome – for the Cinnamon, XFCE, and Unity Desktop Environment:

sudo apt install policykit-1-gnome

lxqt-policykit – for the LXQT Desktop Environment:

sudo apt install lxqt-policykit

Remove Synaptic Package Manager

If you no longer need Synaptic Package Manager on your Ubuntu system, you can remove it using the following command:

sudo apt remove synaptic

Next, remove any orphaned dependencies that were installed alongside Synaptic:

sudo apt autoremove

This command cleans up library packages that Synaptic installed automatically but are no longer needed by other applications.

Conclusion

You now have Synaptic Package Manager installed and ready to handle software management on Ubuntu. The graphical interface makes it straightforward to search packages, review dependencies, and batch-process multiple installations. For related package management tools, consider exploring APT-Fast for faster downloads on slower connections, or set up Flatpak on Ubuntu for sandboxed application installations.