How to Update All Your Distribution's Packages at Once
Depending on whether it's based on Debian, Fedora or Arch.
A single command updates all installed software, with no need to check program by program.
Debian/Ubuntu-based distributions
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade
Arch Linux
sudo pacman -Syu
Tip: if you also have programs installed via
Flatpak,
update them separately with flatpak update — the native
package manager doesn't cover that format.
Note: the -y in the Ubuntu command
automatically confirms any question during the update — remove it if
you'd rather review and confirm each step manually.
Frequently asked questions
Does this command also update Flatpak or Snap apps?
No, each format has its own update command — 'flatpak update' for Flatpak, 'snap refresh' for Snap. The native package manager only covers its own packages.
What does the -y at the end of the command do?
It automatically confirms any question that shows up during the update, avoiding having to press 'yes' manually. Remove it if you'd rather review each step before confirming.