How to Install Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi (Desktop & Server)

Running Ubuntu on a Raspberry Pi opens up possibilities that go far beyond the standard Raspberry Pi OS. After deploying dozens of Pi-based systems for industrial monitoring and home automation projects, I’ve found Ubuntu’s extensive package ecosystem and familiar environment make it an excellent choice for both development workstations and production servers.

This guide covers everything you need to install Ubuntu raspberry pi systems—whether you want a full desktop experience, a headless server, or the lightweight Ubuntu MATE raspberry pi desktop environment.

Why Choose Ubuntu Over Raspberry Pi OS?

Before diving into installation, let’s address why you might want Ubuntu in the first place.

Key Advantages of Ubuntu Raspberry Pi

Advantage	Description
Package Freshness	Ubuntu typically has more recent software versions than Debian-based Raspberry Pi OS
LTS Support	5-year standard support, extendable to 12 years with Ubuntu Pro
Enterprise Familiarity	Same environment used on millions of servers worldwide
Snap Packages	Access to thousands of containerized applications
ARM64 Optimization	Better performance on 64-bit capable Pi models
ROS Compatibility	Native support for Robot Operating System (important for robotics projects)

The trade-off is resource consumption. Ubuntu Desktop with GNOME requires more RAM than Raspberry Pi OS, which is why I typically recommend at least 4GB RAM for desktop usage.

Ubuntu Versions for Raspberry Pi Explained

Ubuntu offers several versions optimized for the Raspberry Pi. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right one.

Ubuntu Desktop vs Server vs MATE

Version	GUI	RAM Requirement	Best For
Ubuntu Desktop	GNOME	4GB+	Desktop computing, development workstations
Ubuntu Server	None (CLI only)	1GB+	Web servers, IoT hubs, headless applications
Ubuntu MATE	MATE	2GB+	Lightweight desktop, older Pi models
Ubuntu Core	None	512MB+	IoT devices, embedded systems

Ubuntu Desktop provides the full GNOME desktop experience. It’s the heaviest option but offers the most complete desktop environment.

Ubuntu Server is the lightweight choice for headless operation. No GUI means more resources available for your actual applications.

Ubuntu MATE raspberry pi uses the MATE desktop environment, a continuation of GNOME 2. It’s significantly lighter than full Ubuntu Desktop while still providing a complete graphical interface. This makes it ideal for Pi 3 models or Pi 4 units with 2GB RAM.

Raspberry Pi Model Compatibility

Pi Model	Ubuntu Desktop	Ubuntu Server	Ubuntu MATE
Pi 5 (all RAM)	Recommended	Full Support	Full Support
Pi 4 (4GB/8GB)	Full Support	Full Support	Full Support
Pi 4 (2GB)	Marginal	Full Support	Recommended
Pi 3 / 3B+	Not Recommended	Full Support	Full Support
Pi 2 v1.2	No	Full Support	32-bit only
Pi Zero 2 W	No	Full Support	Limited

Requirements Before Installation

Gather these items before starting:

Item	Specification	Notes
MicroSD Card	16GB+ (32GB recommended)	Class 10 or A1 rated for better performance
Power Supply	5V/3A for Pi 4, 5V/5A for Pi 5	Official supplies recommended
Card Reader	USB	Required to flash the SD card
Ethernet Cable	Optional	Faster than WiFi for initial setup
HDMI Cable	Micro-HDMI for Pi 4/5	Required for desktop installation
Keyboard/Mouse	USB	For initial configuration

Installing Ubuntu Server on Raspberry Pi

Let’s start with Ubuntu Server since it’s the most versatile option—you can always add a desktop environment later.

Step 1: Download and Launch Raspberry Pi Imager

Raspberry Pi Imager is the easiest way to flash Ubuntu to your SD card. Download it from raspberrypi.com/software for Windows, Mac, or Linux.

Step 2: Select Ubuntu Server

1. Open Raspberry Pi Imager
2. Click “Choose Device” and select your Pi model
3. Click “Choose OS”
4. Navigate to “Other general-purpose OS” > “Ubuntu”
5. Select “Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS (64-bit)” or the latest LTS version

Step 3: Configure Pre-Boot Settings

This step is crucial for headless setup. Click the gear icon or press Ctrl+Shift+X to access advanced options:

Essential settings to configure:

• Set hostname (e.g., “pi-server”)
• Create username and password
• Enable SSH with password authentication
• Configure WiFi credentials (SSID and password)
• Set locale and timezone

These settings get baked into the image, allowing SSH access on first boot without connecting a monitor.

Step 4: Flash and Boot

1. Click “Choose Storage” and select your SD card
2. Click “Write” and confirm
3. Wait for the write and verification process
4. Safely eject the SD card
5. Insert into your Pi and connect power

Step 5: First SSH Connection

Wait 2-3 minutes for initial boot, then connect via SSH:

ssh username@hostname.local

Or use the IP address from your router’s DHCP table:

ssh username@192.168.1.xxx

Step 6: Initial System Update

Always update immediately after installation:

sudo apt update

sudo apt full-upgrade -y

sudo reboot

Installing Ubuntu Desktop on Raspberry Pi

For a full graphical experience, Ubuntu Desktop is the way to go—but only on Pi 4/5 with 4GB+ RAM.

Desktop Installation Steps

The process mirrors server installation with one key difference: select “Ubuntu Desktop” instead of “Ubuntu Server” in Raspberry Pi Imager.

1. Open Raspberry Pi Imager
2. Choose your Pi model (Pi 4 or Pi 5 recommended)
3. Select “Other general-purpose OS” > “Ubuntu” > “Ubuntu Desktop”
4. Choose the latest LTS version (64-bit)
5. Configure advanced settings (hostname, WiFi, locale)
6. Flash to SD card

First Boot Setup Wizard

Unlike Server, Desktop presents a graphical setup wizard on first boot:

1. Connect HDMI, keyboard, and mouse before powering on
2. Select language and keyboard layout
3. Connect to WiFi network
4. Choose timezone
5. Create user account with password
6. Wait for initial configuration (5-10 minutes)

Performance Optimization for Desktop

Ubuntu Desktop with GNOME can feel sluggish on the Pi. These tweaks help:

Reduce animations:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface enable-animations false

Disable unnecessary services:

sudo systemctl disable cups

sudo systemctl disable bluetooth  # if not needed

Enable ZRAM for better memory management:

sudo apt install zram-tools

Installing Ubuntu MATE on Raspberry Pi

Ubuntu MATE raspberry pi offers the best balance between functionality and performance. The MATE desktop environment uses significantly less RAM than GNOME while providing a complete, familiar interface.

Why Choose Ubuntu MATE Raspberry Pi?

Feature	Ubuntu Desktop	Ubuntu MATE
Desktop Environment	GNOME	MATE (GNOME 2 fork)
Idle RAM Usage	~800MB	~400MB
CPU Load (idle)	Higher	Lower
Customization	Moderate	Extensive
Look & Feel	Modern	Classic

MATE runs smoothly on Pi 4 with 2GB RAM and even works acceptably on Pi 3 models—something GNOME cannot claim.

Method 1: Direct Image Installation

1. Visit ubuntu-mate.org/raspberry-pi/ and download the Raspberry Pi image
2. Choose 32-bit (armhf) or 64-bit (arm64) based on your needs
3. Open Raspberry Pi Imager
4. Click “Choose OS” > “Use custom”
5. Select the downloaded Ubuntu MATE image
6. Flash to SD card
7. Boot and complete the setup wizard

Method 2: Install MATE on Ubuntu Server

If you already have Ubuntu Server running, you can add MATE:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install ubuntu-mate-desktop

This installs over 1,000 packages and takes considerable time. When prompted, select “lightdm” as the display manager for best MATE compatibility.

After installation:

sudo reboot

You’ll be greeted by a graphical login screen.

Ubuntu MATE Post-Installation Setup

Update the system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install Software Boutique for easy app management—it comes pre-installed on the dedicated image but not when installing MATE on Server.

Enable SSH for remote access:

sudo apt install openssh-server

sudo systemctl enable ssh

sudo systemctl start ssh

Alternative Desktop Environments

If Ubuntu MATE doesn’t suit your needs, Ubuntu Server provides a foundation for any desktop:

Desktop	Install Command	RAM Usage	Notes
XFCE	sudo apt install xubuntu-desktop	~300MB	Lightest full desktop
LXDE	sudo apt install lubuntu-desktop	~250MB	Similar to Raspberry Pi OS
KDE Plasma	sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop	~600MB	Feature-rich, customizable
GNOME	sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop	~800MB	Full Ubuntu experience

For Pi 3 or 2GB Pi 4 models, XFCE or LXDE are better choices than MATE or GNOME.

Booting Ubuntu from USB/SSD

SD cards are convenient but slow and prone to wear. USB boot dramatically improves performance and reliability.

Performance Comparison

Storage	Sequential Read	Sequential Write	Reliability
SD Card (A1)	40-100 MB/s	30-60 MB/s	Fair
USB 3.0 SSD	300-450 MB/s	300-400 MB/s	Excellent
NVMe (Pi 5)	400-900 MB/s	400-800 MB/s	Excellent

USB Boot Setup

Pi 4 and Pi 5 support USB boot out of the box (newer Pi 4 models ship with USB boot enabled by default).

1. Flash Ubuntu to your USB drive using Raspberry Pi Imager
2. Remove any SD card from the Pi
3. Connect the USB drive to a USB 3.0 port (blue)
4. Power on—the Pi boots from USB

For older Pi 4 units, you may need to update the EEPROM bootloader first:

sudo rpi-eeprom-update -a

Essential Post-Installation Configuration

Regardless of which Ubuntu version you installed, these configurations improve your experience.

Set Up a Static IP Address

For servers, consistent IP addressing is essential. Edit /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml:

network:

  version: 2

  ethernets:

    eth0:

      dhcp4: no

      addresses: [192.168.1.100/24]

      gateway4: 192.168.1.1

      nameservers:

        addresses: [8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4]

Apply the configuration:

sudo netplan apply

Configure Firewall

sudo apt install ufw

sudo ufw allow ssh

sudo ufw enable

Add rules for other services as needed:

sudo ufw allow 80/tcp   # HTTP

sudo ufw allow 443/tcp  # HTTPS

Enable Automatic Security Updates

sudo apt install unattended-upgrades

sudo dpkg-reconfigure unattended-upgrades

Useful Resources and Downloads

Official Downloads

Resource	URL	Description
Ubuntu for Raspberry Pi	ubuntu.com/download/raspberry-pi	Official Desktop, Server, Core images
Ubuntu MATE	ubuntu-mate.org/raspberry-pi/	MATE-specific Pi images
Raspberry Pi Imager	raspberrypi.com/software	Installation tool

Documentation

Resource	URL
Ubuntu Pi Tutorial	ubuntu.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-your-raspberry-pi
Ubuntu MATE Install Guide	ubuntu-mate.org/raspberry-pi/install/
Raspberry Pi Wiki	wiki.ubuntu.com/ARM/RaspberryPi

Community Support

Platform	URL
Ubuntu Forums	ubuntuforums.org
Ask Ubuntu	askubuntu.com
Raspberry Pi Forums	forums.raspberrypi.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi 3?

Yes, but with limitations. Ubuntu Server runs well on Pi 3 models. For desktop usage, Ubuntu MATE raspberry pi is your best option as it’s lighter than Ubuntu Desktop with GNOME. Full Ubuntu Desktop is not recommended for Pi 3 due to insufficient RAM and slower CPU performance.

Which is better for Raspberry Pi: Ubuntu or Raspberry Pi OS?

It depends on your use case. Raspberry Pi OS is more optimized for the hardware and uses fewer resources. Ubuntu raspberry pi is better when you need access to more recent software packages, require compatibility with Ubuntu-based tools (like ROS for robotics), or want consistency with other Ubuntu servers in your infrastructure.

How much RAM does Ubuntu need on Raspberry Pi?

Ubuntu Server works with as little as 1GB RAM. Ubuntu MATE raspberry pi requires minimum 2GB RAM but performs better with 4GB. Ubuntu Desktop with GNOME requires 4GB minimum and performs best with 8GB. For comfortable desktop usage, I recommend 4GB or more regardless of desktop environment.

Can I switch from Raspberry Pi OS to Ubuntu without losing data?

No, installing Ubuntu requires completely reflashing your SD card, which erases all existing data. Back up any important files before switching operating systems. You could potentially mount your old SD card via USB after installing Ubuntu to retrieve files.

Is Ubuntu MATE still supported for Raspberry Pi?

Yes, Ubuntu MATE continues to support Raspberry Pi with official images for Pi 2, 3, and 4 models. The MATE team releases updated images alongside major Ubuntu releases. However, Raspberry Pi 5 support is still being developed—check the official Ubuntu MATE website for the latest compatibility information.

Troubleshooting Common Ubuntu Raspberry Pi Issues

Even with careful installation, problems occasionally arise. Here are solutions to the most common issues.

Ubuntu Won’t Boot

Symptom	Cause	Solution
No display output	Incompatible image	Verify you downloaded the correct image for your Pi model
Rainbow screen	Corrupt boot files	Re-flash the SD card with verification enabled
Kernel panic	Bad SD card	Try a different SD card, preferably name-brand
Boot loops	Power issues	Use official power supply, check cable quality

WiFi Not Connecting on First Boot

If you configured WiFi in Raspberry Pi Imager but can’t connect:

1. Check that the network-config file in the boot partition has correct formatting (YAML is whitespace-sensitive)
2. Verify country code matches your region
3. Ensure SSID and password have no typos
4. For hidden networks, additional configuration is required

Connect via Ethernet temporarily, then fix WiFi configuration:

sudo nano /etc/netplan/50-cloud-init.yaml

High CPU Temperature

Ubuntu can push the Pi harder than Raspberry Pi OS. Monitor temperature with:

vcgencmd measure_temp

If temperatures exceed 80°C, consider active cooling or reducing CPU governor aggressiveness.

Popular Use Cases for Ubuntu Raspberry Pi

Understanding common deployments helps you optimize your setup.

Home Server Applications

Application	RAM Needed	Notes
Pi-hole DNS	512MB	Runs great on Server
Home Assistant	2GB	Container deployment recommended
Nextcloud	2GB+	SSD storage strongly recommended
Plex Media Server	4GB+	Hardware transcoding limited
Docker Host	2GB+	Great for microservices

Development Workstation

Ubuntu MATE raspberry pi excels as a development environment. The full APT repository gives you access to compilers, interpreters, and IDEs unavailable in Raspberry Pi OS repositories.

For ROS (Robot Operating System) development, Ubuntu is essentially required—ROS 1 only officially supports Ubuntu.

Final Thoughts

Installing Ubuntu raspberry pi transforms the little single-board computer into a capable Linux workstation or server. For headless deployments, Ubuntu Server provides a rock-solid foundation with excellent ARM64 support. For desktop usage on 4GB+ models, standard Ubuntu Desktop delivers the full experience. And for users wanting a responsive desktop on lower-spec hardware, Ubuntu MATE raspberry pi remains the sweet spot.

The key is matching your Ubuntu version to your hardware and use case. Start with Ubuntu Server for maximum flexibility—you can always add a desktop environment later without starting over.