Is it time to update Arch Linux installation? We will teach you how to update your system securely with only one or two commands, regardless if you are using pure Arch or an Arch-based distribution like Garuda Linux or Manjaro.
Any Linux distro worth its salt will keep its packages regularly updated. As soon as new, state-of-the-art updates are ready, Arch will push them to your virtual door using a rolling release strategy. That is why it is crucial to avoid a damaged system and corrupt packages by installing updates frequently and using reliable backups.
While installing updates, the majority of Arch-based distributions use the Pacman package manager, which is officially called “syncing.” To keep your packages up-to-date and running smoothly, you’ll need to utilize the pacman commands.
Update the System on Arch Linux
Launch a terminal emulator and enter the following command to initiate a package update:
sudo pacman -Syu
The command cannot run until you enter your password. To see if there are any updates, use this command. If updates are available, Pacman will display all affected packages with their most recent version numbers.
Following that, you will be asked to verify your desire to perform a complete upgrade. To confirm, type y and press Enter; to cancel, type n.
Use the update’s forced database download feature to fix any corrupted packages you may have. Pacman will check the validity of your installed packages regardless of whether there are any accessible updates. That can be accomplished by appending a second y to the string.
sudo pacman -Syyu
How to Update a Specific Package in Arch Linux
Use the same command as when you installed the package, but replace package_name with the name of the package you wish to update.
sudo pacman -S package_name
Using the -Qs switch, you can search your installed packages for names that you are unsure of.
pacman -Qs string
Substitute your search word for a string. You should be able to locate what you’re seeking without any trouble because it searches both package names and descriptions.
Feel free to experiment with other package managers, like Yay, while you’re upgrading your Arch system. As a result, the Arch User Repository (AUR) is at your fingertips.