Kubuntu 22.10 users can now upgrade to the latest KDE Plasma 5.27 release thanks to the ever-dependable Kubuntu backports PPA.
As expected, Kubuntu developers put in the effort necessary to package the latest Plasma release for use atop Kubuntu 22.10. As the backports PPA is entirely opt-in (i.e. it’s not enabled by default) users must go out of their way to add it in order to receive the update.
KDE Plasma 5.27 features a variety of cool things, the most notable being a(n incredibly cool) new window tiling experience:
Flatpak setting options are now included in System Settings; the desktop boasts more informative tooltips; it’s possible to launch a web search from KRunner; and there are major improvements to multi-monitor handling.
Upgrading to KDE Plasma 5.27
Before adding the Kubuntu Backports PPA users should ensure any/all updates pending are installed. The PPA shouldn’t be used without some understanding that the packages within are not subject to the same amount of testing as regular repo updates.
The easiest way to upgrade to KDE Plasma 5.27 on Kubuntu 22.10 is to open a new Konsole window and run:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports
This command adds the Kubuntu Backports PPA then refreshes the system’s list of available packages. Once that it done the upgrade can be triggered:
sudo apt full-upgrade
Users should give the upgrade plenty of time to complete. Then, once done, reboot to ensure all changes slot in to place, as expected, hunky-dory.
Can I Downgrade KDE Plasma?
Kubuntu 22.10 ships with KDE Plasma 5.25 by default. Users who add the Kubuntu Backports PPA can downgrade to the repo version of KDE Plasma using the ppa-purge tool.
To install PPA Purge:
sudo apt install ppa:purge
To remove the Kubuntu Backports PPA and downgrade any package updates made available through it:
sudo ppa-purge ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports
Reboot.
