Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
MATE
Hello,
today I got the notification that I can do the upgrade from 24.04 to 26.04.1 . For some reason it failed. Now I want to do a backup of my data and a new installation but can’t find an appropriate ISO on https://ubuntu-mate.org/download/ . Will there be such in fututre or do I have to (re-)install 24.04 or 25.10 and upgrade from that?
Thanks!
Ubuntu MATE was NOT involved in the 26.04 or resolute release, as the development team had stood down, and did so too late for anyone to take over for that release.
The new Ubuntu MATE development team have introduced themselves, and their first release will be Ubuntu MATE 26.10, with Ubuntu MATE featured or used as example in the latest snapshot 4 announcement too.
The flavors involved in the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS release are all mentioned in the release annoucements, ie. Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS released , and that was not Ubuntu MATE who wasn’t, and thus isn’t included in all point releases either, after all point releases are just updated media & Ubuntu MATE 26.04 didn’t actually release (Ubuntu Unity 26.04 did actually release, but they didn’t release as an LTS thus there is no point release media for that flavor either).
To re-install a Ubuntu system, there are many ISO/images available, so why not use one of them. The Ubuntu MATE install can be achieved by just adding the ubuntu-mate-desktop metapackage, after you’ve removed whatever was installed initially (eg. if you use another desktop install, remove that metapackage first, though Server installs won’t have such a package anyway). Using older media is only one option, and would not likely be my choice.
As https://ubuntu.com/desktop/flavors states
Ubuntu flavors offer a unique way to experience Ubuntu, each with their own choice of default applications and settings.
the difference between Ubuntu MATE and the other flavors or Ubuntu Desktop/Server is just different ‘default’ packages|applications & settings installed, as determined by the seed files used in creation of the ISO/images anyway.
I’ll add a little more ‘background’ detail, though its mostly historical.
The point release media (.1 & later) are related to LTS, and I mentioned back in December 2025 on Ubuntu MATE’s discourse that whilst a Ubuntu MATE 26.04 release was [then] expected, it was not expected to be an LTS.
https://ubuntu-mate.community/t/ubuntu-mate-26-04-will-be-released/31052/5
the LTS status is no longer to be expected, but Ubuntu MATE 26.04 is still assumed (at this stage) will release.
The standing down of the Ubuntu MATE development team after I wrote that, meant no Ubuntu MATE 26.04 media was officially released.
I’d written a few times about it earlier this year (this site, Ubuntu MATE Discourse & elsewhere), and included a link to where a [resolute] alpha ISO could be downloaded (for Ubuntu MATE resolute), but that ISO no longer exists (overwritten by the newer stonking builds) just as I warned it would disappear in time. I’m aware a few downloaded it (I got sent thanks for link etc), so copies exist but I’m not aware of any publicly available anymore.
I’ll also provide a link to MATE: No 26.04 Release, How does that Affect You, and What Is the Future of Ubuntu MATE? a post made by a Ubuntu Core developer here (and current Ubuntu Community Council member at the time of this and their post) that maybe useful; it has a number of links too.
Thanks, I knew this und thus wondered about the notification about the possibility of upgrading to 26.04.1 .
That’s why I had the idea to upgrade from MATE 25.10, so I have my “usual” packages & settings; but of course I can install the “missing” packages after changing the flavor.
Thanks!
Hi @sandwichx by any chance did you get warning/info message asking to disable lock screen, like below screenshot?
First time, I had ignored it and package download got stuck at near end with couple of hundred packages left. Not sure if it was network issue or screen lock issue. So, for second time, I disabled mate-screensaver like,
killall mate-screensaver
This time upgrade went smooth. It could be screenlocker issue or just a coincidence. 
After the upgrade, the login screen had wrong wallpaper and icons. That is because the greeter changed to slick-greeter. But arctica-greeter from 24.04 was retained. See below.
We could either uninstall arctica-greeter or edit /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf file and add/edit line greeter-session=slick-greeter and either restart lightdm or just reboot.
Rest seems OK to me so far.
So, an upgrade of UM from 24.04.5 to 26.04.1 works with above two caveats.
Hello @suivue,
I got a “warning” that here are installed packages from “unofficial” sources, e.g. libreoffice, but I was given the chance to continue the upgrade.
Meanwhile I repeated the upgrade and it “succeeded”, but I had to do some repair afterwards:
Reinstall libreoffice, remove arctica-greeter and install slick-greeter as it was before, …
EyeOfMate still does not start (several (eom:13543): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: ... messages)
I upgraded a couple of days ago and it worked perfectly, I had the same outcome that you had. I am still using the mate desktop, so very happy.
You should always return your system to default before attempting an upgrade it will help to make the process go much smoother, having said that most of the time I do a clean install but that is just my preference based on past experience from years ago.
Is it still not working? May be a reinstall would help like it did withlibreoffice?
I tried almost all default applications and did not encounter any issue.
Usually I do this, too; but for some other reason this was not an option this time.
Reinstalling did not help but removing (or renaming) the directory /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/eom/plugins.
There is another issue: the screenshot tool. But it is “solved” here: https://linuxcommunity.io/t/problem-with-screenshot/12420
