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Asked: 2024-09-27T09:12:12+05:30 In:

What does the deprecation warning for apt-key mean when I try to update my Ubuntu system, and how can I resolve the issue of keys being stored in the legacy trust?

I’ve been trying to update my Ubuntu system lately, and I keep getting this really annoying deprecation warning about `apt-key`. It’s popping up every time I run a command to update my packages, and it says something about the keys being stored in legacy trust. At first, I thought it was just a minor issue, but it seems to be affecting my ability to install new software smoothly.

I did some digging online, and I found out that apparently, `apt-key` is being phased out in favor of a different method for managing repository keys, which I guess makes sense since security is such a big deal nowadays. But honestly, I’m a bit lost about what exactly this means for me as a user. I understand that keeping things secure is super important, but does this mean I have to completely change how I add repositories and manage my keys?

And here’s where I really need some help: how exactly can I resolve this warning? I’ve seen a few different suggestions floating around in forums, but they all seem a bit complicated, and I’m afraid I might mess something up. Do I need to start over with the repository keys, or is there a way to transition without losing all my setups?

If anyone has dealt with this issue, I’d really appreciate some step-by-step guidance. I’m not a total newbie but I’m definitely not a pro either, so a little clarity would go a long way. Has anyone found a straightforward way to tackle this deprecation warning while keeping everything running smoothly? Any tips on what specific commands to use or what I should watch out for would be incredibly helpful. Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers


    1. Dealing with the `apt-key` Deprecation Warning in Ubuntu

      So, you’re getting that deprecation warning about `apt-key`, huh? Yeah, it’s annoying, I know! Basically, `apt-key` is being phased out, and you’re right—it’s all about keeping things more secure with how repository keys are managed.

      What’s Changing?

      Instead of using `apt-key` to manage keys stored in a global location, you’ll want to use a more modern approach that involves adding keys directly to specific repositories. This means you might need to change how you add new PPAs or repositories, but it’s not as scary as it sounds!

      Steps to Resolve the Warning:

      1. Identify the Key: First, find out which repository is causing the warning. You can check your sources list using:

        cat /etc/apt/sources.list

        or for additional sources:

        ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d/
      2. Get the Key: Instead of using `apt-key`, you can download the GPG key directly. For example, if you’re adding a repository like this:

        deb http://example.com/ubuntu focal main

        you might do:

        wget -qO - http://example.com/KEY.gpg | gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/example.gpg
      3. Update the Repository Entry: Now, you need to tell `apt` to use this new key file. Modify the repository line in either `sources.list` or the specific file in `sources.list.d` to look like this:

        deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/example.gpg] http://example.com/ubuntu focal main
      4. Update and Install: Once you’ve updated the sources file, run:

        sudo apt update

        to see if the warning is gone. If everything’s right, you should be good to go!

      Extra Tips:

      1. Always make a backup of your sources list before making changes, just in case.

      2. If you’re not sure about a key file, double-check the repository’s website for the latest instructions.

      3. Don’t hesitate to ask for help in forums if you’re stuck! Lots of folks have been through this.

      So yeah, while it might feel overwhelming, you can definitely handle it! Just follow these steps, and it should help smooth things out and keep your system secure.


    2. To resolve the deprecation warning regarding `apt-key`, you’ll need to transition to managing your repository keys using gpg and the `/etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d` directory instead. This is part of the move to improve security practices in Ubuntu’s package management system. The first step is to identify any repositories you currently have that are still using `apt-key`. You can check your existing keys with the command apt-key list. For each key that you need to upgrade, you’ll want to export it with apt-key export [keyid] > [keyfile].gpg, replacing [keyid] with the actual key ID and [keyfile] with a desired filename.

      After exporting the keys, you should move the generated `.gpg` files to the /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d directory using sudo mv [keyfile].gpg /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/. Additionally, you need to update your repository configuration to use the new key files. This typically involves editing the corresponding `.list` files in the /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory to replace any instances of `apt-key` usage with their equivalent `signed-by` attributes. For example, you can add signed-by=/etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/[keyfile].gpg to your repository declaration. Once you’ve made these changes, run sudo apt update to ensure that everything is set up correctly without warnings. This transition will help ensure that your system remains secure while keeping all existing software installations intact.

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