How to Install RetroArch on Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04 and 22.04

Retro gaming on Ubuntu is easier when the frontend, cores, and update path all stay in one place, and that is exactly where RetroArch helps. You can install RetroArch on Ubuntu from the default repository, the Libretro stable PPA, Snap, or Flatpak, so you do not need to chase a separate manual download unless you specifically want the upstream project files from the official RetroArch site.

Supported Ubuntu LTS releases here are 26.04, 24.04, and 22.04. Ubuntu 26.04 already ships RetroArch 1.22.2 from Universe, while Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 still benefit from the Libretro PPA if you want a newer APT build than the distro package.

Install RetroArch on Ubuntu

All four methods below work on supported Ubuntu LTS releases, but they solve slightly different problems. The default Ubuntu package is the simplest route, the PPA keeps APT users on a newer build for older LTS releases, and the Snap and Flatpak packages suit readers who already prefer sandboxed application formats.

Method	Channel	Version	Updates	Best For
Ubuntu repository	Ubuntu Universe	Distribution default	Via APT	The simplest package-managed install
Libretro stable PPA	Launchpad	Latest stable APT build	Via APT	A newer APT build on 24.04 and 22.04
Snap	Snapcraft	Latest stable	Automatic	Readers who want automatic sandboxed updates
Flatpak	Flathub	Latest stable	Via Flatpak	Readers who already use Flathub

Right now that means RetroArch 1.22.2 from Ubuntu Universe on 26.04, RetroArch 1.18.0 from Universe on 24.04, RetroArch 1.7.3 from Universe on 22.04, and RetroArch 1.22.x from the Libretro stable PPA on 24.04 or 22.04.

• Use the Ubuntu repository on 26.04 when you want the simplest APT install and Ubuntu already ships the same upstream RetroArch release as the PPA.
• Use the Libretro stable PPA on 24.04 or 22.04 when you want a newer APT build than Ubuntu ships in Universe.
• Use the Snap when you want automatic updates through Ubuntu’s snap tooling.
• Use the Flatpak when you already keep desktop apps in Flathub and want the same app build across distributions.

On Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04, and 22.04, sudo apt install retroarch installs the Ubuntu-packaged build from Universe. Ubuntu 26.04 already matches the current 1.22.2 upstream release, while Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 still trail behind enough that the Libretro stable PPA remains useful for readers who want a newer APT package. You can install RetroArch from a terminal on any supported Ubuntu setup, but launching it still requires an active graphical session.

Update Ubuntu Before Installing RetroArch

Start with a normal package refresh so APT sees the current Ubuntu repository metadata before you choose a RetroArch method.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

These commands use sudo for tasks that need root privileges. If your account does not have sudo access yet, follow the guide on how to add a new user to sudoers on Ubuntu before continuing.

Install RetroArch from the Ubuntu Repository

This is the cleanest APT path and it now works across Ubuntu 26.04, 24.04, and 22.04. It is the best fit when you want RetroArch integrated with Ubuntu’s own package set and you do not need a newer build than the release in Universe.

RetroArch is packaged in Ubuntu’s Universe component. If apt-cache policy retroarch shows no candidate on your system, enable Universe first with our Ubuntu Universe and Multiverse guide. Only Universe is required for this package.

sudo apt install retroarch -y

Confirm that APT installed the package and that Ubuntu is now using the expected repository candidate.

apt-cache policy retroarch

retroarch:
  Installed: 1.22.2+dfsg-2build1
  Candidate: 1.22.2+dfsg-2build1
  Version table:
 *** 1.22.2+dfsg-2build1 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/universe amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 show older Universe candidates, which is where the Libretro stable PPA becomes useful if you want a newer APT build without switching to Snap or Flatpak.

Install RetroArch from the Libretro Stable PPA

Use the Libretro stable PPA when you want a newer RetroArch package on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 while staying on APT. On Ubuntu 26.04, the PPA also offers RetroArch 1.22.2, so the extra repository usually is not worth adding unless you specifically want the Libretro packaging.

Minimal Ubuntu installs can miss the add-apt-repository helper even though the RetroArch package itself is available. If that command is missing on your system, install software-properties-common first, then continue with the PPA setup.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libretro/stable -y

sudo apt update

Relevant output includes:

Get:5 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/libretro/stable/ubuntu noble InRelease [24.9 kB]

Check that APT now prefers the Launchpad build before you install it. On Ubuntu 24.04, the candidate should move from the older Universe package to the newer PPA package.

apt-cache policy retroarch

retroarch:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 1.22.2+ppa1.1-1~ubuntu24.04.1
  Version table:
     1.22.2+ppa1.1-1~ubuntu24.04.1 500
        500 https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/libretro/stable/ubuntu noble/main amd64 Packages
     1.18.0+dfsg-1 500
        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble/universe amd64 Packages

Once the newer candidate appears, install RetroArch from the PPA with the usual APT command.

sudo apt install retroarch -y

After the package finishes installing, rerun apt-cache policy retroarch. The installed and candidate versions should both show the newer PPA build instead of Ubuntu’s older Universe package on 24.04 or 22.04.

Install RetroArch from Snap

The Snap package suits readers who want automatic updates and already use Ubuntu’s snap tooling for desktop apps. Standard Ubuntu desktop installs already include Snap support, so there is no extra repository setup here.

sudo snap install retroarch

Use snap list to confirm the installed channel and revision.

snap list retroarch

Name       Version  Rev   Tracking       Publisher  Notes
retroarch  1.22.2   3843  latest/stable  libretro   -

Install RetroArch from Flatpak

The Flatpak build is a good fit when you already use Flathub for desktop apps and want the same sandboxed package across distributions.

Flatpak is not pre-installed on Ubuntu. If you have not enabled it yet, follow the guide on how to install Flatpak on Ubuntu before adding Flathub and RetroArch.

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Verify that Flathub exists at system scope before you install RetroArch from it.

flatpak remotes

flathub system

sudo flatpak install flathub org.libretro.RetroArch -y

Check the installed Flatpak metadata to confirm the app ID, branch, origin, and runtime.

flatpak info org.libretro.RetroArch

RetroArch - Frontend for emulators, game engines and media players

          ID: org.libretro.RetroArch
         Ref: app/org.libretro.RetroArch/x86_64/stable
        Arch: x86_64
      Branch: stable
     Version: 1.22.2
      Origin: flathub
Installation: system

Launch and Use RetroArch on Ubuntu

RetroArch can be launched from the terminal or from the desktop menu once the package install completes. After the first start, you can download the emulator cores you need and build playlists from your ROM directories.

Launch RetroArch from the Terminal

The Ubuntu repository, PPA, and Snap packages all install the same launcher command.

retroarch

The Flatpak build uses the application ID instead of the shorter launcher name.

flatpak run org.libretro.RetroArch

Launch RetroArch from the Applications Menu

Desktop users can also open the app from the Ubuntu applications menu by searching for RetroArch.

Download RetroArch Cores on Ubuntu

RetroArch itself is the frontend, so your next step is downloading the cores you actually want to use. It does not include commercial game files, so you still need your own legally obtained ROMs or other game data before the playlists become useful. Open Main Menu > Online Updater > Core Downloader, then install only the systems you plan to emulate instead of pulling everything at once.

Import Games into RetroArch on Ubuntu

Use Import Content > Scan Directory when you want RetroArch to build playlists from a ROM folder, or use Main Menu > Load Content for one-off launches. If RetroArch has more than one suitable core, it asks you to choose the emulator backend before starting the game.

Update RetroArch on Ubuntu

The update command depends on the package format you chose. Use the same tool that originally installed RetroArch so the package manager updates the correct build.

Update RetroArch from Ubuntu APT or the Libretro PPA

APT can update just the RetroArch package without upgrading everything else on your system.

sudo apt install --only-upgrade retroarch -y

Update RetroArch from Snap on Ubuntu

The Snap package usually updates automatically, but you can refresh it manually whenever you want to pull the current stable revision right away.

sudo snap refresh retroarch

Update RetroArch from Flatpak on Ubuntu

Use the app ID to update only the RetroArch Flatpak instead of every Flatpak app on the system.

sudo flatpak update org.libretro.RetroArch -y

Remove RetroArch on Ubuntu

Use the removal path that matches the package format you installed. Package removal and user-data cleanup are separate on Ubuntu, so remove the app first and then decide whether you also want to delete your local RetroArch settings.

Remove APT or PPA RetroArch on Ubuntu

This removes the RetroArch package and any dependencies that were installed only for it.

sudo apt remove --autoremove retroarch -y

After removal, apt-cache policy should show that the package is no longer installed.

apt-cache policy retroarch

retroarch:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 1.22.2+dfsg-2build1
  Version table:
     1.22.2+dfsg-2build1 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu resolute/universe amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Remove the Libretro PPA on Ubuntu

Only PPA users need this extra cleanup step. If you want a broader walkthrough for Launchpad sources, see our guide on how to remove a PPA from Ubuntu.

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libretro/stable -y && sudo apt update

Check that the Launchpad source no longer appears under your APT source files.

grep -R "ppa.launchpadcontent.net/libretro/stable" /etc/apt/sources.list.d || echo "PPA removed"

PPA removed

Remove the RetroArch Snap on Ubuntu

Snap removal is a separate step from APT or Flatpak cleanup.

sudo snap remove retroarch

Confirm that Snap no longer lists the package.

snap list retroarch || true

error: no matching snaps installed

Remove the RetroArch Flatpak on Ubuntu

Use the Flatpak application ID for removal so you only remove RetroArch and not every app from Flathub.

sudo flatpak remove org.libretro.RetroArch -y

Confirm that the app no longer appears in the installed Flatpak application list.

flatpak list --app | grep -F org.libretro.RetroArch || echo "not-installed"

not-installed

Remove Remaining RetroArch Settings on Ubuntu

RetroArch keeps settings under your home directory, and those locations can vary by package format and whether you launched the app yet. Find the actual paths on your account first, then delete only the directories you really want to remove.

These commands permanently delete local RetroArch settings, save locations, and any other directories the search finds under your home folder. Back up anything you still need before removing those paths.

find "$HOME" -maxdepth 4 \( -path "$HOME/.config/retroarch" -o -path "$HOME/.local/share/retroarch" -o -path "$HOME/.cache/retroarch" -o -path "$HOME/.var/app/org.libretro.RetroArch" -o -path "$HOME/snap/retroarch" \) 2>/dev/null

Relevant output included:

/home/linuxcapable/.config/retroarch

If your results only show the standard Ubuntu package directory, remove it with:

rm -rf ~/.config/retroarch

Troubleshoot RetroArch on Ubuntu

Most RetroArch issues on Ubuntu come down to missing assets, missing cores, or audio settings that need a quick adjustment after the first launch.

Fix Missing RetroArch Assets on Ubuntu

If RetroArch opens with missing icons, incomplete menus, or broken fonts, refresh the packaged assets from inside the app. Open Main Menu > Online Updater > Update Assets, let the download finish, then restart RetroArch so it reloads the refreshed files.

Fix RetroArch Audio Crackling on Ubuntu

Audio stutter usually improves after switching the output backend or raising the latency slightly. Open Settings > Audio, try pipewire or pulse as the audio driver, then increase the latency a little if the sound still crackles under load.

Install Missing RetroArch Cores on Ubuntu

If a game opens with a no-core message, download the matching emulator backend from Main Menu > Online Updater > Core Downloader. After that, load the game again through Main Menu > Load Content or rescan the folder from Import Content so RetroArch can match the file with the correct core.

RetroArch on Ubuntu FAQ

Conclusion

RetroArch is ready on Ubuntu with the package source that best fits your release and update preference, whether that is the default repository on 26.04, the Libretro PPA on 24.04 or 22.04, or a sandboxed Snap or Flatpak build. For a broader Linux gaming setup, install Steam on Ubuntu for Proton titles. If you still need Windows launchers outside Steam, install Wine on Ubuntu as the next step.