How to Install Timeshift on Ubuntu (26.04, 24.04, 22.04)

A failed kernel update or broken package transaction is much easier to undo when you already have system snapshots. You can install Timeshift on Ubuntu from the default repositories, then roll system files back with RSYNC or BTRFS snapshots without hunting for a separate download.

Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04, and 22.04 all ship Timeshift in the standard repositories, so the default APT method covers every supported LTS release. The optional teejee2008 PPA still publishes daily builds for 24.04 and 22.04, while Ubuntu 26.04 users should stay with the repository package for now; the package also installs fine from SSH or on Ubuntu Server, but the GUI still needs a graphical session.

Prepare Ubuntu Before Installing Timeshift

Refresh APT metadata before you choose a Timeshift source so package resolution stays predictable on desktop, server, and minimal Ubuntu installs.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

These commands use sudo for package management tasks that need root privileges. If your account does not have sudo access yet, follow the guide on how to add a new user to sudoers on Ubuntu before you continue.

Install Timeshift on Ubuntu

Ubuntu already packages Timeshift, while the teejee2008 PPA tracks daily builds from the Linux Mint project for older supported Ubuntu releases. Most systems should stay with Ubuntu’s own package, and the PPA only makes sense when you specifically want the newer build branch on 24.04 or 22.04.

Method	Ubuntu 26.04	Ubuntu 24.04	Ubuntu 22.04	Best For
Ubuntu repository	25.12.x	24.01.x	21.09.x	Most readers who want the distro-tested package
teejee2008 PPA	Not published for resolute	25.12.x	25.12.x	Readers on 24.04 or 22.04 who want daily builds

Pick one APT source at a time. If Timeshift is already installed from Ubuntu’s repository and you later move to the PPA, add the PPA first and then run the install command in that method so APT upgrades the package in place.

Install Timeshift from Ubuntu’s Repository

The repository build is the default path on every supported Ubuntu LTS release, and Ubuntu 26.04 already ships the same 25.12.x branch the PPA provides for older releases.

sudo apt install timeshift

The package name and primary CLI are both timeshift. Ubuntu also installs the graphical timeshift-gtk binary, while the desktop menu entry uses timeshift-launcher to handle the privilege prompt.

Verify the installed package state with APT:

apt-cache policy timeshift

Expected output by Ubuntu release:

Ubuntu 26.04
timeshift:
  Installed: 25.12.4-1
  Candidate: 25.12.4-1
  Version table:
 *** 25.12.4-1 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/universe amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Ubuntu 24.04
timeshift:
  Installed: 24.01.1-1build2
  Candidate: 24.01.1-1build2
  Version table:
 *** 24.01.1-1build2 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble/universe amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Ubuntu 22.04
timeshift:
  Installed: 21.09.1-1ubuntu1
  Candidate: 21.09.1-1ubuntu1
  Version table:
 *** 21.09.1-1ubuntu1 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates/universe amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Install Timeshift from the teejee2008 PPA on Ubuntu

The teejee2008 PPA is only useful on Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 because Ubuntu 26.04 already ships the same 25.12.x branch from the default repository and the PPA does not publish a resolute suite.

Ubuntu 26.04 users should skip this method. The PPA publishes noble and jammy metadata, but it does not publish resolute, so 26.04 systems should stay with Ubuntu’s own repository package for now.

Add the PPA first. add-apt-repository refreshes APT metadata as part of the process, so the output should show Ubuntu contacting the new teejee2008 source immediately.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:teejee2008/timeshift -y

Ubuntu 24.04
Hit:5 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/teejee2008/timeshift/ubuntu noble InRelease

Ubuntu 22.04
Hit:5 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/teejee2008/timeshift/ubuntu jammy InRelease

Install Timeshift from the new source, or upgrade the repository package in place if it is already installed:

sudo apt install timeshift

Confirm that APT now prefers the PPA build:

apt-cache policy timeshift

Ubuntu 24.04
timeshift:
  Installed: 25.12.4-0~202602111411~ubuntu24.04.1
  Candidate: 25.12.4-0~202602111411~ubuntu24.04.1
  Version table:
 *** 25.12.4-0~202602111411~ubuntu24.04.1 500
        500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/teejee2008/timeshift/ubuntu noble/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     24.01.1-1build2 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble/universe amd64 Packages

Ubuntu 22.04
timeshift:
  Installed: 25.12.4-0~202602111411~ubuntu22.04.1
  Candidate: 25.12.4-0~202602111411~ubuntu22.04.1
  Version table:
 *** 25.12.4-0~202602111411~ubuntu22.04.1 500
        500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/teejee2008/timeshift/ubuntu jammy/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     21.09.1-1ubuntu1 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates/universe amd64 Packages

Launch Timeshift on Ubuntu

Timeshift opens from the desktop menu or from a local graphical terminal. If you installed it over SSH or on Ubuntu Server, stick with the CLI because the GUI still needs a running desktop session.

Launch Timeshift from the Application Menu on Ubuntu

On a desktop install, the application menu is the simplest way to complete the first-run wizard and choose your snapshot settings.

1. Open Activities.
2. Select Show Applications.
3. Search for Timeshift and open it.

Launch Timeshift from the Terminal on Ubuntu

Use the same launcher wrapper the menu entry calls when you want the desktop wizard from a local graphical terminal. The timeshift binary stays available for CLI work, while timeshift-launcher opens the graphical app and handles privilege escalation.

timeshift-launcher

Configure Timeshift Snapshots on Ubuntu

For most desktop installs, the first-run wizard is the quickest way to get Timeshift working. It sets the snapshot mode, storage location, schedule, and first rollback point in one pass.

Choose a Timeshift Snapshot Mode on Ubuntu

Use RSYNC mode on most Ubuntu systems because the standard desktop and server installs still default to ext4. BTRFS mode only becomes available when your Ubuntu root filesystem is already on Btrfs with compatible subvolumes.

Select a Timeshift Snapshot Location on Ubuntu

Pick a partition or disk with enough free space for repeated snapshots. Timeshift uses /timeshift on the selected device by default, so a separate ext4 or Btrfs filesystem with at least 10 GB free is a safer starting point than filling the root filesystem with rollback data. If you need to resize or create that partition first, install GParted on Ubuntu before you finish the wizard.

Configure Scheduled Timeshift Snapshots on Ubuntu

Daily or weekly schedules are enough for most desktops, while hourly jobs make more sense on systems that change constantly. Timeshift relies on cron for scheduled runs, so leave scheduling enabled only after you confirm the system has the space and backup device you want.

Create Your First Timeshift Snapshot on Ubuntu

Create an on-demand snapshot before kernel changes, driver work, or large package upgrades so you have a clear rollback point. Timeshift excludes home directories by default, so it works best as system rollback protection rather than a full file backup.

Use Timeshift from the Command Line on Ubuntu

Timeshift’s CLI is useful over SSH, on Ubuntu Server, or when you want repeatable snapshot jobs. On a fresh install, start by identifying the snapshot device because a bare --create command turns interactive until you tell Timeshift where to write the snapshot.

List Timeshift Snapshot Devices on Ubuntu

List the filesystems Timeshift can use before you try to create a snapshot from the terminal.

sudo timeshift --list-devices

Devices with Linux file systems:

Num     Device         Size  Type  Label
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0    >  /dev/sda2  134.2 GB  ext4

Create a Manual Timeshift Snapshot on Ubuntu

Create a non-interactive snapshot when you want a rollback point from SSH or a local terminal before making system changes.

sudo timeshift --create --scripted --yes --comments "Before kernel upgrade" --snapshot-device /dev/sda2

Replace /dev/sda2 with the device from the previous command. The --scripted and --yes flags keep the run non-interactive, and --comments gives you a readable label when you list snapshots later.

Verify that the snapshot was created:

sudo timeshift --list

Mounted '/dev/sda2' at '/run/timeshift/416610/backup'
Device : /dev/sda2
UUID   : ba3bd1ba-5e3a-4cf8-b426-5803f0a6cfca
Path   : /run/timeshift/416610/backup
Mode   : RSYNC
Status : OK
1 snapshots, 96.0 GB free

Num     Name                 Tags  Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0    >  2026-03-14_16-37-39  O     Before kernel upgrade

Delete a Timeshift Snapshot on Ubuntu

Delete an old snapshot by name when you need to reclaim space or clean up a test restore point.

sudo timeshift --delete --scripted --yes --snapshot "2026-03-14_16-37-39" --snapshot-device /dev/sda2

Replace the snapshot name and device with values from your own system. The snapshot name comes from sudo timeshift --list.

Confirm that the selected device no longer has snapshots:

sudo timeshift --list

Mounted '/dev/sda2' at '/run/timeshift/416994/backup'
Device : /dev/sda2
UUID   : ba3bd1ba-5e3a-4cf8-b426-5803f0a6cfca
Path   : /run/timeshift/416994/backup
Mode   : RSYNC
Status : No snapshots on this device
First snapshot requires: 0 B

No snapshots found

When you need to roll a system back from the terminal, start with sudo timeshift --restore for the interactive selector or use sudo timeshift --restore --snapshot "SNAPSHOT_NAME" --target /dev/sdXN for a specific target. Run restores from a local console or recovery environment instead of SSH so you can reboot as soon as the rollback finishes.

Manage Timeshift on Ubuntu

APT manages repository and PPA installs the same way after setup. Use the update step when you want a newer Timeshift build, and use the removal steps when you want to clean the package back out of the system.

Update Timeshift on Ubuntu

Refresh APT metadata, then upgrade only Timeshift if you do not want a full system upgrade.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install --only-upgrade timeshift

timeshift is already the newest version (25.12.4-1).
Summary:
  Upgrading: 0, Installing: 0, Removing: 0, Not Upgrading: 17

If you want routine security updates without checking manually, configure unattended upgrades on Ubuntu after you finish the initial setup.

Remove Timeshift from Ubuntu

Remove the package and any now-unused dependencies first.

sudo apt remove timeshift
sudo apt autoremove

Purge the package state next if you want the cleanest APT removal path.

sudo apt purge timeshift

If you used the PPA, remove it after the package is gone so Ubuntu falls back to the repository build.

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:teejee2008/timeshift -y
sudo apt update

APT removal does not delete your snapshot data, and apt purge can still leave /etc/timeshift/timeshift.json behind. Delete those paths only after you confirm that you no longer need the rollback data.

Remove the leftover local config file if you want to erase the saved Timeshift settings completely.

sudo rm -f /etc/timeshift/timeshift.json

Delete snapshot data only after you confirm you no longer need those restore points. If you want to size the directory first, review du command examples for disk usage analysis.

sudo rm -rf /timeshift

Verify that the package is gone and that Ubuntu now prefers the repository build again:

apt-cache policy timeshift

timeshift:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 24.01.1-1build2
  Version table:
     24.01.1-1build2 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble/universe amd64 Packages

Ubuntu 26.04 shows Candidate: 25.12.4-1, and Ubuntu 22.04 shows Candidate: 21.09.1-1ubuntu1, but the Installed: (none) line is the removal check that matters.

Troubleshoot Timeshift on Ubuntu

Most Timeshift problems on Ubuntu come down to storage detection, filesystem mode, the optional PPA source, or the background scheduler. These checks isolate each of those paths quickly.

Timeshift Does Not See a Snapshot Device on Ubuntu

List the storage devices Timeshift can use before you reopen the GUI. If this list is empty, the issue is usually an unmounted disk, an unsupported filesystem, or a filesystem with too little free space.

sudo timeshift --list-devices

Devices with Linux file systems:

Num     Device         Size  Type  Label
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0    >  /dev/sda2  134.2 GB  ext4

If your target drive does not appear, mount it first and make sure it uses a Linux filesystem such as ext4 or Btrfs. If it does appear, pick that device in the wizard or in the CLI examples from the earlier section.

Timeshift BTRFS Mode Is Unavailable on Ubuntu

Check the root filesystem type before you assume Timeshift is broken. Ubuntu installs that still use ext4 should stay on RSYNC mode.

df -T /

Filesystem     Type 1K-blocks     Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/sda2      ext4 128426180 13526192 108330160  12% /

If the Type column shows ext4, keep RSYNC mode selected. BTRFS mode only applies when Ubuntu is already installed on Btrfs with the expected subvolume layout.

Ubuntu Still Prefers the Repository Package After Adding the Timeshift PPA

Use APT policy output to confirm that the PPA is actually the candidate source. This is the fastest way to separate a missing PPA from a package that simply has not been upgraded yet.

apt-cache policy timeshift

timeshift:
  Installed: 25.12.4-0~202602111411~ubuntu24.04.1
  Candidate: 25.12.4-0~202602111411~ubuntu24.04.1
  Version table:
 *** 25.12.4-0~202602111411~ubuntu24.04.1 500
        500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/teejee2008/timeshift/ubuntu noble/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     24.01.1-1build2 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble/universe amd64 Packages

If the candidate line still points only to archive.ubuntu.com, rerun the PPA add command on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04. Ubuntu 26.04 cannot use this method because the PPA does not publish a resolute suite.

Scheduled Timeshift Snapshots Are Not Running on Ubuntu

Check the cron service because Timeshift depends on it for scheduled snapshot jobs.

systemctl status cron --no-pager

● cron.service - Regular background program processing daemon
     Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/cron.service; enabled; preset: enabled)
     Active: active (running) since Sat 2026-03-14 07:57:19 AWST; 8h ago
       Docs: man:cron(8)
   Main PID: 1091 (cron)

If the service is inactive, enable it and start it again before you revisit the Timeshift schedule settings.

sudo systemctl enable --now cron

Frequently Asked Questions About Timeshift on Ubuntu

Conclusion

Timeshift is set up on Ubuntu with a working snapshot workflow for package rollbacks, driver changes, and kernel work. If you also want user-file backups beyond system snapshots, install UrBackup on Ubuntu so rollback protection and file recovery stay separate.