How to fix dpkg: error: trying to overwrite 'path', which is also in package package-name in APT

First, determine which installed package already owns the file:

dpkg -S /path/to/conflicting/file

This will show you the package that currently owns the file. This information helps you decide which package to remove or which conflict resolution approach to take.

If the conflicting package is not essential, remove it first:

sudo dpkg -r conflicting-package-name
sudo apt update
sudo apt install desired-package-name

This is the safest approach because it respects package dependencies and relationships. The system will handle the file ownership properly.

If you encounter dependency issues, attempt to fix broken packages:

sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt update

These commands repair inconsistent package state and may resolve underlying conflicts.

Only use this if other methods fail, as it bypasses safety checks:

For dpkg directly:

sudo dpkg -i --force-overwrite /path/to/package.deb

For apt installations:

sudo apt -o Dpkg::Options::="--force-overwrite" install package-name

Warning: This approach forces installation but doesn't resolve the underlying conflict. Both packages will claim ownership of the same file, potentially causing future issues.

Clear cached packages and attempt a fresh install:

sudo apt clean
sudo apt autoclean
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install desired-package-name

Sometimes corrupted cache files cause false conflicts. Cleaning the cache resolves these cases.