Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Users Can Now Upgrade to 26.04.1 "Resolute Raccoon"

Canonical quietly flipped the switch on September 29, 2026: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS users can now officially upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS, codenamed "Resolute Raccoon," directly from the desktop. Linuxiac confirmed the upgrade path is live, with no command-line workarounds needed.

Why It Took Until the Point Release

Canonical traditionally holds back the LTS-to-LTS upgrade prompt until the first point release (.1). The delay allows the most critical post-launch bugs to get patched before exposing the broader LTS audience—who tend to be on stable, production systems—to the new release. Ubuntu 26.04.1 already incorporates all security patches, bug fixes, and package updates shipped since April's initial launch, making it a meaningfully more stable upgrade target than 26.04.0 was.

How to Upgrade

Desktop users on Ubuntu 24.04 will start seeing an upgrade notification through Software Updater automatically. The prompt reads: "Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS is now available (you have 24.04)", with a single Upgrade button. If you don't want to wait for the prompt, you can trigger the upgrade manually:

sudo do-release-upgrade

Before starting, Canonical recommends following these pre-upgrade steps: back up important files, run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade to make sure 24.04 is fully current, and ensure the system has several gigabytes of free disk space available.

What's in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Ubuntu 26.04 "Resolute Raccoon" ships with GNOME 48, Linux kernel 6.14, improved Snap performance, and a refreshed installer experience. Standard LTS support runs through May 2031, with extended security maintenance available to Ubuntu Pro subscribers through 2036.

Gradual Rollout

Canonical is pushing the upgrade prompt out progressively over the coming days, so if you don't see it immediately, that's by design—not a sign that anything is wrong. This phased approach lets Canonical monitor upgrade telemetry and catch any widespread issues before they reach the full 24.04 LTS user base.

For Ubuntu 24.04 users who've been waiting for a stable, officially-blessed path forward, that path is open now.