Ubuntu is a popular and powerful Linux operating system, but frequent update notifications can be annoying, especially when you’re focused on work. Many times, I’ve been interrupted while coding or in an online meeting just because an update notification popped up. After researching, I found a way to disable update notifications on Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04, making the system run smoother without affecting performance.
Why Disable Update Notifications?
🔹 Reduce Distractions – No more constant update notifications disrupting your workflow.
🔹 Save System Resources – The system won’t frequently check for updates, reducing CPU and RAM usage.
🔹 Faster Boot Time – Fewer background services running means quicker startup.
🛠 Disable Update Notifications on Ubuntu 22.04
1️⃣ Stop Update Services
Run the following commands to stop update timers and services:
sudo systemctl stop apt-daily.timer
sudo systemctl stop apt-daily-upgrade.timer
sudo systemctl stop apt-daily.service
sudo systemctl stop apt-daily-upgrade.service2️⃣ Disable Update Services
Prevent these services from restarting after a system reboot:
sudo systemctl disable apt-daily.timer
sudo systemctl disable apt-daily-upgrade.timer
sudo systemctl mask apt-daily.service
sudo systemctl mask apt-daily-upgrade.service3️⃣ Apply Changes
Reload system configurations:
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl reset-failed4️⃣ Verify Update Status
Check if update services are disabled:
sudo systemctl list-timers --all | grep apt
If apt-daily.timer and apt-daily-upgrade.timer show inactive or n/a, they have been successfully disabled. Previously, I thought simply disabling them was enough, but the system can still check for updates if you don’t verify the status. If you’re following this guide, don’t forget to check!
🛠 Disable Update Notifications on Ubuntu 24.04
Ubuntu 24.04 introduces some changes, so additional steps may be needed to completely disable automatic updates.
1️⃣ Remove Unattended Upgrades Package
This package is responsible for automatically installing updates. To fully disable auto-updates, remove it:
sudo apt remove unattended-upgrades -y2️⃣ Modify 20auto-upgrades Configuration
Open the configuration file:
sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgradesChange its content to:
APT::Periodic::Update-Package-Lists "0";
APT::Periodic::Unattended-Upgrade "0";Save by pressing Ctrl + X, then Y, and Enter.
3️⃣ Disable unattended-upgrades Service
Run the following command to stop and disable the automatic update service:
sudo systemctl disable --now unattended-upgrades4️⃣ Verify Update Status
After completing the steps, check if update services are still active:
systemctl list-timers --all | grep aptIf apt-daily.timer and apt-daily-upgrade.timer do not appear or show inactive, automatic updates have been disabled.
🔄 How to Re-enable Updates When Needed
If you ever want to restore automatic updates, run the following commands:
sudo systemctl unmask apt-daily.service
sudo systemctl unmask apt-daily-upgrade.service
sudo systemctl enable apt-daily.timer
sudo systemctl enable apt-daily-upgrade.timer
sudo systemctl start apt-daily.timer
sudo systemctl start apt-daily-upgrade.timerFor Ubuntu 24.04, if you previously removed unattended-upgrades, reinstall it:
sudo apt install unattended-upgrades -y❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1️⃣ Does disabling notifications affect security?
Yes. If you completely disable updates, your system won’t receive security patches automatically. However, you can still update manually using: sudo apt install unattended-upgrades -y
2️⃣ Can I disable notifications but keep automatic updates?
Yes! If you just want to stop notifications while keeping auto-updates, disable update-notifier: sudo systemctl disable update-notifier.service
3️⃣ How do I check if automatic updates are disabled?
You can review section 4 above., If apt-daily.timer and apt-daily-upgrade.timer are not listed or show inactive, updates have been successfully disabled.
Disabling update notifications on Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 can help you work more efficiently without interruptions. However, if you choose to disable updates entirely, remember to check and update your system manually to ensure security.
💡 If you prefer to control updates manually rather than letting the system install them automatically, try following this guide. And don’t forget to share your experience!