If you’ve ever installed software on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or another Debian-based system, chances are you’ve come across .deb files. These are Debian packages, and they’re one of the most common ways developers distribute apps outside of the main repositories.

The only catch? Updating them isn’t always as straightforward as when you install software from the official package manager. Here’s a breakdown of how to keep .deb apps up to date.

Option 1: Update via Package Manager (Best Case)

If you installed the app from an official repository or a Personal Package Archive (PPA), then updating is simple. Just run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade <package-name>

Or upgrade everything at once:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This method is clean and reliable because apt checks for updates from all your configured sources.

Option 2: Manually Updating a .deb File

If you installed the app by downloading a .deb file from a website, you’ll need to repeat that process whenever a new version is released.

1. Go to the developer’s website or GitHub releases page.
2. Download the latest .deb file.
3. Install it with one of these commands:

sudo apt install ./new-package.deb

or:

sudo dpkg -i new-package.deb

Tip: Use apt install instead of dpkg -i when possible. apt handles dependencies automatically, while dpkg may leave things broken if extra packages are required.

Option 3: Check Installed Version

Not sure if you’re running the latest release? You can check the installed version of a package with:

apt list --installed | grep <package-name>

Or:

dpkg -l | grep <package-name>

Compare that number with the latest version listed on the developer’s site.

Option 4: Add a Repository for Automatic Updates

Manually reinstalling .deb files gets old quickly. If the developer provides a repository or PPA, it’s worth adding it. That way, future updates will be included whenever you run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

To add a PPA (if available), you’d typically run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:developer/ppa-name
sudo apt update
sudo apt install <package-name>

Check the developer’s documentation for the exact repository URL or PPA.

Option 5: Use a Tool to Manage .deb Updates

If the software doesn’t offer a repository, you can use tools that help manage manual .deb updates:

• Eddy (for elementary OS, but works elsewhere) makes installing .deb files easier.
• GDebi provides a graphical interface and resolves dependencies.
• For more advanced automation, you can even write a small script to fetch the latest .deb from GitHub releases.

Final Thoughts

Updating .deb apps comes down to how they were installed in the first place:

• From a repository or PPA → apt upgrade handles it.
• From a downloaded file → re-download and reinstall manually.
• If a repo is available → add it for automatic updates.

Whenever possible, prefer repositories or PPAs. They save you time and make sure your apps get updates alongside the rest of your system.