How to check which version of Ubuntu you have and if it is still supported

¿How do I check which version of Ubuntu I have and if it's supported? Knowing exactly which version of Ubuntu you have installed It's not just a geeky curiosity: it's crucial when you want to install programs, follow tutorials, ask for help in forums, or ensure your system continues to receive support and security patches. If you work with servers, cloud machines, Install Ubuntu in a virtual machine or desktops without a graphical environment, this information is even more important.

The good news is that finding out is very easy You can do this from either the graphical interface or the terminal, using several different commands. Each method displays varying levels of detail (version number, codename, LTS status, kernel, etc.), so you can choose the one that best suits your needs at any given time.

What is Ubuntu and why are you interested in knowing the specific version?

Ubuntu is an open-source Linux distribution very popular on desktops, servers and cloud environments (What is an Ubuntu-based distribution?It exists in several editions (desktop, server, and core) and is used by home users as well as developers, system administrators, and companies looking for a stable and free system.

One of the great advantages of Ubuntu over other systems Like Windows or macOS, it is open source: the code is auditable, the community is huge, and the package ecosystem is vast. Furthermore, it offers a fairly secure and comfortable environment for web and software development in general.

Almost everything in Ubuntu is customizable.Desktop environment, visual appearance, default applications, services that start in the background… This flexibility is fantastic, but it also means that many times you'll want to install additional software, and that's where the exact version you're using comes into play.Ubuntu vs Kubuntu).

When a program indicates that it only works on Ubuntu 20.04 and later If a product is tested on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, you need to verify that your system meets that requirement. The same applies to many hosting control panels, deployment tools, and automatic installation scripts, which are often written with specific versions in mind.

Knowing the Ubuntu version is also essential for troubleshooting.In forums, official documentation, and help blogs, it's almost always stated "this applies to Ubuntu X.YY with this kernel" or "this bug affects version Z.ZZ." If you don't know which version you have, you'll be groping in the dark and wasting time.

Finally, the version determines whether your system is still supported.Running an unsupported edition means you'll miss out on security updates, which is very serious on servers with sensitive data or computers connected to corporate networks.

How Ubuntu versions work (LTS, interim versions, and support cycles)

Ubuntu releases new versions twice a yearusually in April and October. The numbering scheme follows the format AA.MMwhere “YY” is the year and “MM” is the month of the official release. Thus, Ubuntu 22.04 was released in April 2022 and Ubuntu 24.10 was released in October 2024.

In addition to the number, each version has a code name. formed by an adjective and an animal with the same initial letter: for example, Jammy Jellyfish (22.04 LTS), Mantic Minotaur (23.10) o Noble Numbat (24.04 LTS)These names are commonly used in documentation and forums, so you should familiarize yourself with them.

Every two years, the version released in April is an LTS (Long Term Support) version.LTS editions come with at least five years of security support and maintenance updates, making them ideal for servers, production environments, and users who value stability over having the latest features.

In between, provisional or intermediate versions are publishedThese releases typically have support for about nine months. They are used to test new features, newer kernels, updated drivers, and changes that may eventually be integrated into the next LTS release.

The practical consequence is that not all versions are supported at the same time.If you're currently using an older version (for example, a very old intermediate edition), it probably no longer receives updates, and you should consider upgrading. migrate to a recent LTS or the latest stable version available.

Why is it important to check your Ubuntu version (and support)?

There are several compelling reasons to know exactly which version of Ubuntu you are runningBeyond mere curiosity, some of the most relevant are:

Software and package compatibilityMany programs, libraries, and external repositories state "requires Ubuntu XX.YY or higher" or only publish packages for certain LTS versions. If you don't know which version you have, you could end up breaking dependencies or installing incompatible packages.

Security and updatesUnsupported versions no longer receive patches for system, kernel, and key package vulnerabilities. Keeping a server or laptop connected to the internet with an outdated version is a bad idea from a cybersecurity perspective.

Troubleshooting and technical supportWhen you ask for help on official Ubuntu forums, communities, Stack Overflow, or similar sites, almost the first thing they ask is your Ubuntu version and kernel. Many errors only occur with certain editions or specific version-kernel combinations.

Planning for updatesIf you manage multiple servers or computers, you need to know what version each one has in order to plan migrations, jumps between LTS versions, testing in staging environments, or automating updates with orchestration tools.

Automation and deploymentDeployment scripts, Ansible playbooks, containers, and configuration tools often read the system version to apply specific configurations. If you're going to write these types of tools yourself, you should know how to access this information.

Environments without a graphical interface (like many cloud servers) are a typical case where the only realistic option is the terminal. Knowing which commands to use to get the version makes all the difference between quick management and getting lost remotely.

How to view your Ubuntu version from the graphical user interface (GUI)

If you are on a desktop Ubuntu with a graphical environment And if you're not entirely comfortable with the terminal yet, you can check the version from the system settings in a fairly intuitive way.

The steps may vary slightly depending on the desktop edition (classic GNOME, derivatives like Kubuntu, Xubuntu, etc.), but the general idea is very similar: there is always a panel where the name of the operating system and its version are displayed.

In standard Ubuntu with GNOMEThe typical procedure is as follows:

• Open the applications menu (the “Show apps” button or similar icon on the panel).
• Look for the “Settings” or “Configuration” option. and click on it.
• In the side panel of the settings windowScroll down until you find the "About" or "Details" section.
• Within that section you will see the “OS Name” and the version of Ubuntu, often alongside the desktop environment, processor, memory, and graphics.

That screen also usually shows whether it's an LTS edition (for example, “Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS”), allowing you to confirm at a glance whether your system is within a long support cycle.

This method is ideal when you don't feel like using the terminal. Or when you're helping someone less technically savvy figure out which version they have. Simply guide them via video call or screenshots to the "About" panel.

Checking the Ubuntu version from the terminal: essential commands

The terminal (or command line) is the fastest and most powerful way To find out the Ubuntu version, especially on servers, remote machines, or systems without a graphical environment, you can open it on the desktop with Ctrl + Alt + Tor connect to a server using SSH from your local computer.

Once you have an open terminalThere are several key commands that return information about the distribution, its version number, codename, and even hardware details.

1. lsb_release command: the most direct way

The lsb_release command It's one of the most common methods for displaying distribution information on Linux Standard Base systems. In Ubuntu, it's designed to give you exactly what you need.

lsb_release -a

The typical output of this command includes The distributor identifier (Ubuntu), the human-readable version description (including LTS if applicable), the release number, and the codename. With just one command, you know practically everything.

If you want something more specific and quickYou can use very practical variations:

• Brief description of the version: lsb_release -d
• Only the “clean” description: lsb_release -s -d
• Code name: lsb_release -c
• Version number only: lsb_release -r o lsb_release -r -s

This command does not require superuser privilegesso that any user account can run these queries without problems.

2. Read the /etc/lsb-release and /etc/os-release files

Another very common way is to consult the text files where the system itself stores information about the distribution and version. Ubuntu highlights /etc/lsb-release y /etc/os-release.

cat /etc/lsb-release

There you will find variables such as DISTRIB_ID, DISTRIB_RELEASE, DISTRIB_CODENAME and DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION, which clearly indicate the Ubuntu edition, its version number, and its codename.

In modern versions (16.04 and later) you can also use:

cat /etc/os-release

This file expands on the information somewhat., including a PRETTY_NAME field with a friendly description (“Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS” for example), the distribution ID, links to the official site and documentation resources.

cat /etc/*release

It's a very transparent methodbecause you are literally reading the files where the operating system identification is stored, without depending on additional utilities.

3. Consult the /etc/issue file

The /etc/issue file is a small text file that is displayed before the login. on some consoles. It usually contains the distribution name and its abridged version.

cat /etc/issue

The output is usually a single, very brief line., like “Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS \n \l”. If you just want to quickly confirm whether you are on a particular LTS version, this method gets straight to the point.

4. Use hostnamectl to view version and kernel

The hostnamectl command is primarily used for managing the hostname from the team, but it also offers interesting information about the system.

hostnamectl

Among the data it returns you will see a line “Operating System” This shows the Ubuntu version, often accompanied by the edition type (LTS, for example). A little further down, the version of the Linux kernel in use is usually also displayed.

This command also does not require sudoAnd it's especially convenient if you already use it to check or change the hostname of servers or virtual machines.

5. Additional commands and system information utilities

In addition to strictly “official” methodsThere are some additional tools that display the Ubuntu version along with a lot of extra data, both hardware and software.

Among the most popular are neofetch, screenfetch, inxi, and hardinfoAlthough many of these are not installed by default, they can be easily added from the Ubuntu repositories:

• Install neofetch: sudo apt install neofetch and then you execute neofetch.
• Install screenfetch: sudo apt install screenfetch and then screenfetch.
• Install inxi: sudo apt install inxi and launch inxi -F for a complete report.
• Install hardinfo: sudo apt install hardinfo and open it from the applications menu as a graphical diagnostic tool.

These utilities usually display a banner with the distro's logo in ASCII. And on the right, you'll find information such as the Ubuntu version, kernel, desktop environment, theme, CPU, RAM, GPU, sensor temperatures (in the case of Archey4, for example), and much more. These are very useful for documenting a computer's configuration or sharing it when you need help.

When should you check the version (and how to know if it's supported)

Beyond mere one-off verificationThere are certain times when checking your Ubuntu version should be almost mandatory to avoid surprises.

Before installing demanding or specific softwareIf a package, control panel, or database indicates "supported since Ubuntu XX.YY," make sure you meet that condition. Installing versions intended for another release can lead to dependency errors or unusual behavior.

When asking for help in forums or technical supportIn both official Ubuntu forums and hosting, development, or DevOps communities, stating "Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS, kernel such and such" saves the other person a lot of questions and speeds up the resolution.

When you plan a major upgradeIf you're on an intermediate release nearing the end of support, you'll want to upgrade to a recent LTS or the next stable version as soon as possible. Knowing exactly which version you have will allow you to follow the correct documentation for the upgrade.

In infrastructures with multiple serversEspecially in the cloud, knowing the version that each instance is running helps you define update policies, automate Ansible playbooks, or shell scripts that adapt according to the detected release.

To check if your Ubuntu is still actively supportedYou can combine local information (version number and whether it's an LTS version) with the official Ubuntu lifecycle page, where Canonical publishes how long each version is supported. As a general rule, LTS versions have five years of standard support, and intermediate versions have about nine months.

If you manage many machines and want to go a step furtherIt is perfectly possible to automate these checks with scripts that read /etc/os-release or run lsb_release -a on each server, consolidating the information into dashboards or inventory tools.

Knowing how to check the Ubuntu version and whether it is supported It's a basic but incredibly useful skill: it allows you to confidently install compatible software, keep your systems secure with up-to-date updates, follow tutorials without getting lost due to differences between releases, and better coordinate migrations on both personal computers and professional infrastructures, whether on physical servers, virtual machines, or cloud deployments.

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Cristian Garcia

Passionate about technology since he was little. I love being up to date in the sector and, above all, communicating it. That is why I have been dedicated to communication on technology and video game websites for many years. You can find me writing about Android, Windows, MacOS, iOS, Nintendo or any other related topic that comes to mind.