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Asked: 2024-09-26T21:55:52+05:30 In:

What steps can I follow to revert a package to an earlier version using apt-get in Ubuntu?

I’ve been diving deep into the world of Ubuntu lately, and I’ve hit a bit of a snag that I hope some of you can help me with. So, here’s the deal: I recently upgraded one of my packages using `apt-get`, and now it’s causing all sorts of chaos with my system. I wasn’t having any issues before the upgrade, and now I find myself wishing I could turn back time—like seriously, why did I even hit that upgrade button?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to revert to an earlier version of the package, but honestly, it’s all a bit overwhelming. I’ve heard there are some steps you can take using `apt-get`, but I’m not entirely sure where to start. The documentation online is helpful, but it’s a lot to digest, and it feels more like a maze than a straight path.

Has anyone here gone through this process? I’d really appreciate some basic steps or tips on how to revert a package. Like, do I need to know the exact version number to get back to? Is there a specific command that I can use to list the available versions before I actually revert? And what about dependencies—is it going to mess everything up if I downgrade this specific package?

Also, what if the version I want to revert to isn’t available on the normal repository anymore? Do I need to pull it from some other source, or is that getting too complicated? I just want my system to be stable again without messing around too much, you know?

If there are any tools or tricks that you’ve found helpful when dealing with package versions, I’d love to hear about those as well. It feels a bit like a puzzle, and I could really use some guidance on which pieces to move. Thanks in advance for any help you can throw my way!

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    2 Answers



    1. Reverting Package Versions in Ubuntu

      Need Help with Downgrading a Package!

      Sounds like you’ve had a rough time with that upgrade! No worries, it’s not as daunting as it seems. Here’s a simple guide to help you revert to an earlier package version.

      Step 1: Check Installed Version

      First, check which version you currently have installed using:

      apt list --installed | grep

      Step 2: List Available Versions

      To see what versions are available for that package, run:

      apt list -a

      This will give you a list of all available versions in your repositories.

      Step 3: Downgrade the Package

      Now that you know the versions, you can downgrade to a specific version using:

      sudo apt-get install =

      Replace `` and `` with the actual names to downgrade.

      Dependencies Concerns

      Sometimes downgrading a package can mess with dependencies. Use:

      apt-get install  --allow-downgrades

      This flag will help manage dependencies better during the downgrade.

      If the Version Isn’t Available

      If the version you want isn’t in the normal repositories anymore, you might need to find a .deb file from a trusted source (like old-releases or package archives) and install it using:

      sudo dpkg -i

      Just be careful, as this can lead to other issues down the line.

      Extra Tools

      It might be handy to have aptitude installed. It provides a more user-friendly way to manage packages, including downgrading. You can install it via:

      sudo apt-get install aptitude

      Final Thoughts

      Take it slow, check out the versions carefully, and try to keep a backup of your system or important files just in case. It’s always a bit of a puzzle, but you’ll figure it out!

      Good luck!


    2. If you’ve recently upgraded a package in Ubuntu and are experiencing issues, reverting to a previous version can indeed alleviate those problems. First, you will need to check the version history for the specific package. You can do this using the command apt-cache policy package_name, which will display all available versions of the package, along with the currently installed version. Once you’ve identified the version you want to revert to, you can downgrade using the command sudo apt-get install package_name=version_number. It’s important to note that you may need to satisfy certain dependencies, which means you might have to confirm or even modify additional packages if they rely on the newer version you’re attempting to downgrade from.

      If the version you want is not available in your standard repositories anymore, you have a few options. One possibility is to check if it exists in an older repository by consulting your /var/cache/apt/archives/ directory, where older .deb files might be stored. Alternatively, you can look into the Ubuntu Package Archive or even search for the specific .deb file online from a trusted source. Just be cautious with dependency issues that might arise from having a mix of package versions. Tools like aptitude can be useful for managing dependencies and suggesting solutions when you do a downgrade. Ultimately, keeping backups and snapshots of your system can also save you from future headaches during upgrades.

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