How to fix E: Unable to locate package snapd in APT

Always start by refreshing your package lists to ensure you have the latest information about available packages:

sudo apt update

This downloads the latest package metadata from all configured repositories. After updating, try installing again:

sudo apt install snapd

If this resolves the issue, you're done. If not, the package simply isn't in your current repositories and you'll need to enable additional repositories or check your distribution.

On Ubuntu, snapd is in the universe repository, which is not enabled by default on some installations.

Enable universe repository:

sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd

Verify it's enabled:

# Check if universe is in your sources
cat /etc/apt/sources.list | grep universe
# Or list all enabled repositories
apt-cache policy | grep universe

If that doesn't work, enable manually:

# Edit sources.list
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Look for your main Ubuntu repository line (usually deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ ...) and add the universe component:

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy main universe
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy main universe
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-updates main universe
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-updates main universe

Save the file (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X in nano), then:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd

Linux Mint intentionally blocks snapd installation. To use snapd on Mint, you must remove the preference file that blocks it.

Remove the snapd block:

sudo rm /etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd

Why Mint blocks snapd:

Linux Mint's maintainers consider snapd to be unpolished and prefer native .deb packages. However, some applications are only available via snap (e.g., certain editors, tools).

After installation:

Start the snapd service:

sudo systemctl start snapd
sudo systemctl enable snapd

Note: Removing the snapd block doesn't affect other Mint policies or updates.

On Debian, snapd may only be available in the backports repository. First, check if snapd is available in regular repositories:

apt-cache policy snapd

If it shows "Candidate: (none)" or an older version, enable backports:

For Debian 12 (Bookworm):

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-backports main"
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd

For Debian 11 (Bullseye):

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-backports main"
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd

For Debian 10 (Buster) and earlier:

Snapd may not be available at all. Check if your distribution is still supported:

lsb_release -a  # Check your Debian version

If running very old Debian (pre-9), snapd is not available. Consider upgrading your distribution or using alternative package managers.

Verify backports is enabled:

cat /etc/apt/sources.list.d/* 2>/dev/null | grep backports
grep -r "backports" /etc/apt/sources.list*

If none of the above options work, verify your system setup:

1. Check your Linux distribution:

# Identify your distribution
lsb_release -a
cat /etc/os-release

Check if snapd is officially supported on your distribution version. Some minimal or older distributions don't support it.

2. Verify package architecture:

# Check your system architecture
uname -m
dpkg --print-architecture

# Check if snapd is available for your architecture
apt-cache search snapd | grep -i snapd

Snapd is primarily available for amd64, arm64, and armhf architectures. If you're on i386 or another architecture, it may not be available.

3. Check your sources.list configuration:

cat /etc/apt/sources.list
ls -la /etc/apt/sources.list.d/

Look for disabled repositories (lines starting with # ). If your only repository is commented out, enable it or add a working repository.

4. Add a repository manually:

If your distribution isn't configured correctly, add the standard repository:

# For Ubuntu-based systems
echo "deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu $(lsb_release -sc) main universe" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
sudo apt update

If snapd is not available in any repository, you can install it using alternative methods.

Method A: Manual .deb installation (Ubuntu/Debian)

Download and install the package directly:

# Check available versions
apt-cache policy snapd

# If backports available, try that first
sudo apt install -t $(lsb_release -sc)-backports snapd

# Or download .deb manually from Debian/Ubuntu servers
cd /tmp
wget http://deb.debian.org/debian/pool/main/s/snapd/snapd_*_amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./snapd_*_amd64.deb

Method B: Check if snap is already installed

On some systems, snap might already be present even if snapd isn't in apt:

which snap
snap version

If snap works, you may only need the snapd daemon:

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends snapd

Method C: Use container alternative

If snapd truly cannot be installed, some snap applications have Docker images or native packages available:

# Example: Use docker instead of snap for certain tools
docker run --rm ubuntu:latest snap install <package>

Warning: Installing from outside repositories means missing security updates. This is only recommended as a last resort.

After successfully installing snapd, verify it works and fix any PATH issues:

Start the snapd service:

sudo systemctl start snapd
sudo systemctl enable snapd

Verify installation:

snap version
snap list

Fix PATH if needed:

If snap commands don't work after installation, add snap to your PATH:

echo "export PATH=$PATH:/snap/bin" >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Test snap is working:

# Install a test package
snap install hello-world

# Run it
hello-world

Troubleshoot snap issues:

If snap is installed but applications don't appear:

# Check snap daemon status
sudo systemctl status snapd

# Restart snapd if needed
sudo systemctl restart snapd

# Check snap logs
sudo journalctl -u snapd -n 20

# List installed snaps
snap list

# Refresh all snaps
snap refresh