How to Fix Low Disk Space Issues on Ubuntu Linux

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How to Fix Low Disk Space Issues on Ubuntu Linux While using Ubuntu Linux, you may encounter various issues caused by insufficient storage space.  Over time, the system may become slower, software updates may fail, or files may no longer be saved properly. 1. Why Disk Space Runs Out on Ubuntu Ubuntu is designed to manage storage efficiently, but disk usage can increase gradually due to several factors: Cached files created during system updates Log files that grow continuously over time Snap packages storing multiple revisions Unused packages and dependencies left behind Large user files accumulated in the home directory These files often grow unnoticed until the system begins to show warning signs. 2. Checking Current Disk Usage The first step in resolving low disk space issues is understanding the current storage situation . 2.1 Check Overall Disk Usage Run the following command in a terminal: df -h This command displays total disk size, used space, an...

Explanation apt update and apt upgrade

Explanation apt update and apt upgrade

Explanation apt update and apt upgrade


One of the most commonly used commands in Linux-based operating systems is apt update and apt upgrade.

In Debian-based Linux distributions such as Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, and Debian, software installation and system management are handled through APT (Advanced Package Tool), and these two commands form the foundation of system maintenance.

Although the two commands may appear similar, their roles and purposes are clearly different.


1. What Is the APT Package Management System?

APT is a package management system used by Debian-based Linux distributions.

It manages software and libraries through centralized repositories and automatically handles installation, updates, dependency resolution, and removal.

Because Raspberry Pi OS is based on Debian, it uses the same APT system. 

This allows users to manage software efficiently without manually resolving complex dependencies.



2. What Is apt update?

apt update does not update any software packages.


apt update
sudo apt update


2.1 Purpose of apt update

  • Refreshes the package index

  • Retrieves the latest version information from repositories

  • Checks which installed packages have available updates

In simple terms, apt update updates the list of available packages, not the packages themselves.



2.2 What Happens Internally

  • Reads repository definitions from /etc/apt/sources.list and /etc/apt/sources.list.d/

  • Downloads the latest package metadata

  • Updates the local package database

No installed software is modified during this process.


2.3 Example

sudo apt update

After running this command, the system will report how many packages can be upgraded, but no actual changes will occur.




3. What Is apt upgrade?

apt upgrade performs the actual update of installed packages.


apt upgrade
sudo apt upgrade


3.1 Purpose of apt upgrade

  • Upgrades installed packages to their latest versions

  • Does not remove existing packages

  • Avoids installing new dependencies if removal is required

This command uses the information gathered by apt update to apply updates safely.


3.2 Key Characteristics

  • Conservative and stability-focused

  • Skips updates that require package removal

  • Commonly used on servers and production systems


3.3 Example

sudo apt upgrade

Before proceeding, the system displays a list of packages to be upgraded and asks for confirmation.



4. Key Differences Between apt update and apt upgrade
Category apt update apt upgrade
Function Refresh package list Upgrade installed packages
Changes system files No Yes
Affects software No Yes
Execution order First After update
Purpose Check availability Apply updates


In short:

  • apt update = refresh information

  • apt upgrade = apply updates



5. Why Should They Be Used Together?

APT always relies on the latest package information.
If apt update is not executed first, apt upgrade may use outdated data.

Recommended Update Process

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

This sequence is the standard and safest way to maintain Debian-based systems, including Raspberry Pi OS.



6. Usage in Raspberry Pi OS

Raspberry Pi systems often run for long periods and rely on SD card storage.

Regular updates help maintain system reliability and compatibility.

Benefits include:

  • Bug fixes

  • Performance improvements

  • Security updates

  • Hardware driver enhancements

Routine updates help ensure a smooth and stable Raspberry Pi environment.



7. Important Notes When Using apt upgrade

  • Avoid powering off the system during updates

  • Ensure sufficient free disk space

  • Avoid updating during critical tasks

Because Raspberry Pi uses SD cards, storage health and available space are especially important.



8. Brief Note on apt full-upgrade

There is also a command called apt full-upgrade.

  • Allows package removal if required

  • Handles dependency changes more aggressively

  • May update kernels and core components

For beginners and learning environments, the combination of apt update and apt upgrade is generally the safest choice.

full upgrade
sudo apt full-upgrade



9. Summary

apt update and apt upgrade are essential commands for Linux system maintenance.

However, their roles and purposes are clearly different.

  • apt update refreshes package information

  • apt upgrade updates installed software

For Raspberry Pi OS users, simply understanding the difference between these two commands can significantly improve their understanding of Linux system management.

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