GIMP 2.9.6 Release, How to Install it in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: August 25, 2017

GIMP extra color palettes

The development version of GIMP image editor reached the 2.9.6 release a day ago.

As pre-release for the next major GIMP 2.10, here’s how you can install and test the 2.9.x series in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and their derivatives.

GIMP 2.9.6 release highlights:

  • It’s now multi-threaded for modern processors
  • Better Hi-DPI support
  • Better Adobe PSD file support
  • Metadata Viewing and Editing
  • Several new filters
  • Crop presets (2×3, 3×4, 16:10, 16:9, square)
  • And see the release note for more.

How to Install GIMP 2.9.x in Ubuntu:

There’s a PPA repository contains the latest development GIMP packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, and Ubuntu 17.10.

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for it from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp-edge

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it asks and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade GIMP from an existing release via Software Updater utility:

or simply run commands to check updates and install GIMP:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install gimp

How to Restore:

You can easily restore GIMP image editor to the stock version (distribution build) in your Ubuntu by purging the PPA via command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp-edge

And if you want to re-install the latest stable GIMP (2.8.22 so far), see this tutorial after purging the previous PPA.

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I'm a freelance blogger who started using Ubuntu in 2007 and wishes to share my experiences and some useful tips with Ubuntu beginners and lovers. Please comment to let me know if the tutorial is outdated! And, notify me if you find any typo/grammar/language mistakes. English is not my native language. Contact me via ubuntuhandbook1@gmail.com Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/ubuntuhandbook1

8 responses to GIMP 2.9.6 Release, How to Install it in Ubuntu 16.04

  1. What can I do to make it work with Linux Mint 18? I failed installing it with this OS

    • These steps should work on Linux Mint 18 as it’s based on Ubuntu 16.04. Tells what’s the error please.

    • Try sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gimp

      I believe the installation command is missing the “-get” part.

  2. Doesn’t work. Stuck to 2.8.22 version

  3. Thank you! Works great on KDE Neon.

  4. Wow, my first GIMP using in under 5 mins thanks to your instructions on installing

  5. this doesnt work for ubuntu 17.04