How to Remove Snap From Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Snap, the package management system for Linux distributions, has been hailed as a better alternative to apt by Canonical and Ubuntu. It offers advantages such as auto-updates, bundled dependencies, and a sandbox environment. However, there have been concerns within the Linux community regarding the use of Snap.

One of the main issues with Snap is its handling of package installations. For example, the latest Ubuntu variant, Ubuntu 20.04, ships with an empty Chromium package that acts as a backdoor to the Ubuntu Store without user consent. When you try to install Chromium using the command “sudo apt install chromium-browser,” it installs the Snap package instead of the Debian one, without your permission.

Furthermore, Snap packages take longer to install and launch, occupy more disk space, and may not always match your Ubuntu theme. If you want to avoid using Snap altogether, you can remove the Snap repository from Ubuntu. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you do that.

Step 1: Check for Installed Snap Packages

Before removing Snap, check if you have any Snap packages installed on your system. Run the following command to view the list of installed Snap packages:

snap list

Step 2: Remove Snap Packages

If you see any installed packages in the output of the previous command, you need to remove them. Use the following command to remove a Snap package:

sudo snap remove --purge package-name

Replace “package-name” with the actual name of the installed package. For detailed instructions on uninstalling applications from Ubuntu, refer to our guide.

First, clear the Snap cache by running the following command:

sudo rm -rf /var/cache/snapd/

Step 3: Uninstall Snap and Snap GUI Tool

Next, remove the Snap package and the Snap GNOME plugin using the following command:

sudo apt autoremove --purge snapd gnome-software-plugin-snap

Step 4: Clear Snap Preferences

To clear the Snap settings and preferences from your home directory, use the following command:

rm -fr ~/snap

These commands will remove the Snap repository from your machine, as well as the Ubuntu Software Center. You will no longer receive Snap package recommendations or suggestions. If you try to install the Chromium browser again, Ubuntu will prompt you to download it from the Debian repository as a package dependency.

Step 5: Put Snap on Hold

After uninstalling Snap and its preferences, you can put the Snap package on hold to prevent it from being automatically installed or upgraded. Use the following command:

sudo apt-mark hold snapd

By following these steps, you can remove Snap from your Ubuntu system and opt for alternative installation methods. Remember that downloading Chromium from the Debian repository will eliminate the auto-update feature but ensure that you are free from Snap. If you have any further issues or queries, feel free to let us know in the comments.

Also Read: How to Ungroup Windows in “Alt-Tab” in Ubuntu