Backup and Restore Ubuntu Apps & PPAs with Aptik - A How-To Guide
Simplifying Ubuntu Reinstallation with Aptik
If a fresh installation of Ubuntu is needed, or you’re simply upgrading to a newer version, retaining your applications and personalized settings can be a significant convenience. This can be readily achieved through the utilization of a complimentary tool known as Aptik.
Aptik, formally known as Automated Package Backup and Restore, is an application compatible with Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and other Linux distributions based on Debian and Ubuntu. It facilitates the backing up of crucial system elements – including installed PPAs (Personal Package Archives), downloaded software packages, installed applications and themes, and application-specific settings – to an external storage device, a network location, or even a cloud service like Dropbox.
Important Note: When instructions in this guide require typing, do not include the quotation marks unless explicitly stated.
Installing Aptik
To begin, the Aptik PPA must be added to your system. Open a Terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T, then enter the following command and press Enter:
sudo apt-add-repository –y ppa:teejee2008/ppa
You will be prompted for your password; enter it and press Enter.
Next, update the package repository by typing the following command and pressing Enter:
sudo apt-get update
Once the update process is complete, install Aptik with this command, followed by pressing Enter:
sudo apt-get install aptik
You may encounter some error messages regarding failed package fetches. If these errors resemble those shown in the following image, the installation of Aptik should proceed without issue.
The installation progress will be displayed. You will then be asked to confirm the installation; type “y” and press Enter.
Upon completion of the installation, close the Terminal window by typing “Exit” and pressing Enter, or by clicking the “X” button in the top-left corner.
Configuring a Backup Location
Before launching Aptik, establish a backup directory on a USB drive, a network drive, or a cloud storage account such as Dropbox or Google Drive. For this example, we will utilize Dropbox.
Click the “Search” button in the Unity Launcher bar.
Type “aptik” into the search box. As you type, search results will appear. Click the Aptik icon to open the application.
A password prompt will appear. Enter your password and click “OK.”
Backing Up Your System
The main Aptik window will now be displayed. Select “Other…” from the “Backup Directory” drop-down menu. This allows you to choose the backup directory you previously created.
Note: The “Open” button to the right of the drop-down list will open the selected directory in a file manager window.
In the “Backup Directory” dialog box, navigate to your backup directory and click “Open.”
Note: If you haven’t created a backup directory yet, or wish to create a subdirectory within the selected directory, use the “Create Folder” button.
To back up the list of installed PPAs, click “Backup” to the right of “Software Sources (PPAs).”
The “Backup Software Sources” dialog box will appear, displaying a list of installed packages and their associated PPAs. Select the PPAs you want to back up, or use the “Select All” button to select all listed PPAs.
Click “Backup” to initiate the backup process.
A dialog box will confirm successful backup creation. Click “OK” to close it.
A file named “ppa.list” will be created within your backup directory.
Backing up “Downloaded Packages (APT Cache)” is only beneficial if you are reinstalling the same Ubuntu version. This backs up packages in your system cache (/var/cache/apt/archives). If upgrading, this step can be skipped.
Restoring these packages on a reinstalled system saves time and bandwidth by avoiding redundant downloads.
If reinstalling the same version, click “Backup” to the right of “Downloaded Packages (APT Cache).”
System packages are not checked, as they are automatically installed during system installation. Packages installed after system installation, such as Chrome or Aptik itself, are selected by default.
Select the packages you wish to back up and deselect those you do not. Click “Backup” to the right of “Software Selections.”
Two files, “packages.list” and “packages-installed.list”, will be created in the backup directory, and a confirmation dialog will appear. Click “OK.”
To back up application settings, click “Backup” to the right of “Application Settings.” Select the settings to back up, or “Select All.”
The selected settings files will be compressed into “app-settings.tar.gz.”
A confirmation dialog will appear upon completion. Click “OK.”
Themes and icons can also be backed up by clicking “Backup” to the right of “Themes and Icons.” Deselect any themes or icons you don’t want to back up and click “Backup.”
The themes and icons will be compressed and copied to the backup directory. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click “OK.”
Once all desired backups are completed, close Aptik by clicking the “X” button.
Your backup files are now available in the chosen backup directory.
After reinstalling Ubuntu or installing a new version, install Aptik on the new system and make your backup files accessible. Use the “Restore” button for each item to restore your PPAs, applications, packages, settings, themes, and icons.