To install LibreOffice on Ubuntu, run sudo apt update && sudo apt install libreoffice. On Fedora, run sudo dnf install libreoffice. These commands use the version maintained by your Linux distribution. If you need a newer upstream version, use the verified Flatpak package or LibreOffice’s official DEB/RPM download—but choose one installation source and avoid mixing packages.
This guide explains how to install, update, verify and remove LibreOffice on Ubuntu and Fedora. It also shows why APT, DNF, Flatpak, Snap and direct downloads may report different version numbers.
Quick answer
- APT and DNF integrate best with the operating system but may not provide the newest upstream release immediately.
- Flatpak commonly provides a newer cross-distribution build and updates independently.
- Snap is easy on Ubuntu, but its stable channel can temporarily trail upstream.
- Official DEB and RPM bundles provide upstream packages but require more manual maintenance.
- Back up important documents and close LibreOffice before changing package sources.
Which LibreOffice installation method should you choose?
| Method | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu APT | Simple, system-integrated installation | The distribution version may trail upstream. |
| Fedora DNF | Fedora integration and normal system updates | Available versions differ between Fedora releases. |
| Flatpak | A newer sandboxed build across distributions | Uses separate storage and permissions. |
| Snap | Easy installation and automatic updates | The stable channel may not match the newest upstream release. |
| Official DEB/RPM | Users who specifically need an upstream build | More manual installation and update management. |
There is no universally best method. For most users, the distribution package is the safest starting point. Choose Flatpak or an official package when a newer release contains a fix or feature you actually need. Before switching, identify how LibreOffice is currently installed.
How to install LibreOffice on Ubuntu
Ubuntu’s repository version receives updates through APT along with the rest of the system:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libreofficeConfirm the installed package and version:
apt policy libreoffice
libreoffice --versionTo install the English (US) offline help and language support when available:
sudo apt install libreoffice-help-en-us libreoffice-l10n-en-gbPackage names vary by language. Search before installing a different locale:
apt search libreoffice-l10n
apt search libreoffice-helpUpdate LibreOffice installed with APT
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --only-upgrade libreofficeIf APT says the package is current but the upstream website lists a higher version, this is not necessarily an error. Ubuntu maintains and tests its own package version for each release.
How to install LibreOffice on Fedora
Install the Fedora package group with DNF:
sudo dnf install libreofficeCheck what Fedora provides and what is installed:
dnf info libreoffice
rpm -q libreoffice-core
libreoffice --versionFedora package availability can differ by Fedora release. At the time this guide was checked, Fedora’s official package page showed different LibreOffice branches across Fedora 43, 44, 45 and Rawhide. Always check your own enabled repositories rather than copying a version number from another Fedora release.
Update LibreOffice installed with DNF
sudo dnf upgrade libreoffice\*Review the proposed transaction before confirming. This updates LibreOffice packages from enabled repositories without changing to Flatpak or a manually downloaded RPM bundle.
Install LibreOffice with Flatpak
The verified Flathub application ID is org.libreoffice.LibreOffice. If Flathub is already configured, install it with:
flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOfficeLaunch and inspect it:
flatpak run org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
flatpak info org.libreoffice.LibreOfficeUpdate only the LibreOffice Flatpak:
flatpak update org.libreoffice.LibreOfficeFlatpak stores the application separately from APT or DNF packages. This isolation is useful, but file-picker behaviour, fonts, extensions and access to unusual filesystem locations can differ from a native package.
Install LibreOffice with Snap
On a system with Snap support, use:
sudo snap install libreoffice
snap info libreofficeSnap normally refreshes applications automatically. To request an update:
sudo snap refresh libreofficeCheck snap info libreoffice before assuming it contains the release announced on libreoffice.org. When this guide was researched, the Snap stable channel still showed an earlier 26.2 maintenance release. Channel versions can change, so the live command is more reliable than a fixed number in an article.
Install official LibreOffice DEB or RPM packages
LibreOffice’s download page provides compressed archives containing DEB packages for Ubuntu-based distributions and RPM packages for Fedora-family systems. Download only from the official service, select the correct CPU architecture, and verify you are not unintentionally keeping a conflicting distribution installation.
After extracting an official DEB archive, enter its DEBS directory and install the contained packages:
cd LibreOffice_*/DEBS
sudo apt install ./*.debFor an official RPM archive:
cd LibreOffice_*/RPMS
sudo dnf install ./*.rpmThe downloaded directory and filenames contain version and architecture details, so do not copy an old filename literally. Using APT or DNF for the local package set also lets the package manager resolve dependencies.
How to check which LibreOffice version is running
libreoffice --version
command -v libreoffice
flatpak info org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
snap info libreofficeRun only the commands that match your installation. If more than one method reports an installed copy, your desktop menu may launch a different build from the terminal command. Check Help → About LibreOffice inside the running application.
How to switch package sources safely
- Back up important documents and any custom templates, dictionaries and macros.
- Record the current version and package source.
- Close LibreOffice and its Quickstarter process.
- Remove the old application package using its original package manager.
- Keep the user profile initially; rename it temporarily only when troubleshooting.
- Install through one selected source and test representative ODT, DOCX, ODS, XLSX and PPTX files.
Do not remove personal configuration directories blindly. A profile can contain templates, extensions, dictionaries and settings that are difficult to recreate.
Troubleshoot LibreOffice installation problems
The version did not change
Check whether the running copy came from APT, DNF, Flatpak or Snap. Multiple installations are the most common reason the About dialog and package manager show different versions.
LibreOffice does not start after an update
Launch it from a terminal to capture the error. Then try libreoffice --safe-mode. Safe Mode helps determine whether the problem comes from the user profile, an extension or hardware acceleration rather than the installed package.
Fonts or extensions are missing
Sandboxed Flatpak and Snap builds may see fonts and extensions differently from native packages. Install fonts system-wide where appropriate and install extensions from inside the version you actually use.
APT or DNF reports package conflicts
Do not force packages or ignore dependency errors. Confirm whether older official DEB/RPM packages remain installed, remove the conflicting source cleanly, refresh repository metadata and try again.
Which method do we recommend?
Use APT on Ubuntu or DNF on Fedora when stability and system integration matter most. Use Flatpak when you need a newer cross-distribution build and accept sandbox differences. Use the official DEB/RPM archives only when you specifically need upstream packaging and are comfortable managing updates manually.
If you already use the mature 26.2 branch, see our analysis of the 36 fixes in LibreOffice 26.2.6 before deciding whether to remain on 26.2 or move to the newer 26.8 series.
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