For KDE users on Ubuntu 22.04, meaning KUbuntu 22.04, Ubuntu Studio 22.04, etc, the latest Plasma Desktop 5.27 (5.27.8) now is available to upgrade through PPA.

KDE Plasma Desktop 5.27 was originally released in February. After more than 8 months of work, it has received 9 bug-fix updates and finally made into PPA for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

Plasma 5.27 features new window tiling system, that can be enabled “System Settings > Workspace Behavior > Desktop Effects“. It allows to Shift + dragging to tile windows, and Super (Windows logo) + T to edit tiling mode.

The release also features swipe gestures for volume and playback control in Media Player widget, power usage monitor detection for NVIDIA GPUs, new command activate “Do Not Disturb” mode. See HERE for more.

How to Install Plasma 5.27 in (K)Ubuntu 22.04

NOTE: This tutorial is also tested and works in Ubuntu Studio 22.04, but may not be supported, since the PPA is maintained by KUbuntu Team.

The latest Plasma Desktop packages are usually available in KUbuntu Backports PPA for current short-term Ubuntu releases (23.04/23.10 so far).

For current Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, an extra PPA is available, but moving slowly.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal (konsole). When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports-extra

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2. After adding the PPA, just run command to install all available package updates, which will upgrade your Plasma desktop to 5.27.

sudo apt full-upgrade

NOTE: it must be full-upgrade while 5.27 will be kept back when using apt upgrade

After installation, restart your computer and verify by launching System Settings and navigating to ‘About this system’ in left pane.

How to Restore

To restore the original Plasma Desktop 5.24, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal (Konsole) and run command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports-extra

This command will first install ‘ppa-purge’ tool, then use it to purge the extra PPA, which will downgrade all the installed packages to the stock versions.

Also, restart your computer to apply changes when the command is done.

The latest KDE Plasma Desktop 5.27 was released 2 weeks ago. (K)Ubuntu 22.10 based systems can now get it via KUbuntu Backport PPA.

And, KUbuntu 23.04 will ship with Plasma 5.27 by default. For (K)Ubuntu 22.04 LTS the package is still in experimental PPA for testing, it should be made into the backport extra PPA later.

UPDATE: This tutorial is OUTDATED! Though, (K)Ubuntu 22.04 can now install Plasma Desktop 5.27 from the extra PPA.

Plasma 5.27 features a new tiling system to automatically resize and place app windows side by side in screen. User can enable it in “System Settings > Workspace Behavior > Desktop Effects“. Then use Shift + Drag to tile windows, and use Windows Logo key + T to configure the layout. See more about KDE Plasma 5.27.

New window tiling systm

1. Add the PPA

The new packages are made into KUbuntu Backports PPA for (K)Ubuntu 22.10.

First, search for and open terminal (Koncole) from start menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

Type user password when it asks while no asterisk feedback,and hit Enter to continue.

2. Update package cache

Adding PPA should automatically refresh the package cache now. But in case you’re trying this in a Ubuntu based system that does not do the update, run command in terminal to manually refresh cache:

sudo apt update

3. Install KDE Plasma 5.27

Finally, KUbuntu 22.10 user or Ubuntu Studio 22.10 (not tested) can upgrade to Plasma desktop 5.27 by running command below in terminal (koncole):

sudo apt full-upgrade

Non-KDE user may also install the desktop environment by running command:

sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop

However it’s better to write down all the packages it’s going to install, so you can uninstall them to restore your system easily.

After installation, restart your computer and verify by going to System Settings -> About this System.

KDE Plasma desktop announced the new 5.27 release today! It’s a LTS release with support until 2024!

Plasma 5.27 features new window tiling system. By enabling it in “System Settings > Workspace Behavior > Desktop Effects“, user can press and hold Shift key and then drag app windows to auto-resize and place them in the screen side by side.

By pressing the Windows logo key + T will go into the tile editing mode. There user can configure to have custom tile layouts.

New window tiling systm

The release also introduces a new Welcome dialog, allowing to learn about new features and how to tweak settings, etc.

Other changes in Plasma 5.27 include:

• Improve search function in Discover software manager.
• Search time for other locations in KRunner.
• Search dictionary definition of a word in KRunner.
• Swipe gestures for volume and playback control in Media Player widget
• System Monitor (widget and app) can detect power usage of NVIDIA GPUs.
• New command kde-inhibit --notifications to activate “Do Not Disturb” mode.
• Send windows to Activities via titlebar right-click menu.

KDE Plasma 5.27 PPA for (K)Ubuntu 22.04/(K)Ubuntu 22.10

The new desktop release will be default in KUbuntu 23.04. For current KUbuntu 22.04, KUbuntu Package Archive team has built the new release pages into its experimental PPA for testing purpose.

After testing period, the packages should be made into Kubuntu Backports Extra PPA. Keep an eye on both PPAs and I’ll update here once published!

For KUbuntu 22.10, search for and open konsole from start menu, then run the commands below one by one to install KDE Plamsa 5.27 from KUbuntu Backports PPA.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

sudo apt full-upgrade

The latest KDE Plasma desktop 5.26 is finally made into PPA for (K)Ubuntu 22.10 / Ubuntu Studio 22.10, the next Ubuntu edition to be released soon.

KUbuntu 22.10 to ship with KDE Plasma 5.25.5. But KUbuntu PPA has made the new 5.26 packages for those who would like to try out the exciting new features including:

• Adaptive wallpaper that change automatically depends on system light/dark mode.
• Animated wallpaper support. Just right-click on your ani, avif, avifs, gif or webp file and select ‘Set as wallpaper’.
• Resizable panel widget.
• New web browsing and video playback apps for TV.

Wallpaper change automatically according to color scheme

1. Add the PPA

The new packages are made into KUbuntu Backports PPA this time for (K)Ubuntu 22.10 only.

First, search for and open terminal (Koncole) from start menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

Type user password when it asks while no asterisk feedback,and hit Enter to continue.

2. Update package cache

Adding PPA should automatically refresh the package cache now. But in case you’re trying this in a Ubuntu based system that does not do the update, run command in terminal to manually refresh cache:

sudo apt update

3. Install KDE Plasma 5.26

Finally, KUbuntu 22.10 user or Ubuntu Studio 22.10 (not tested) can upgrade to Plasma desktop 5.26 by running command below in terminal (koncole):

sudo apt full-upgrade

Non-KDE user may also install the desktop environment by running command:

sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop

However it’s better to write down all the packages it’s going to install, so you can uninstall them to restore your system easily.

After installation, restart your computer and verify by going to System Settings -> About this System.

KDE Plasma desktop 5.26 was released today. Here’s the new features and PPA for (K)Ubuntu users.

In the new release, it supports for resizing system tray indicator menu. Just like resizing an app window, open date & time, notifications, or any other menu in bottom right system tray area. Then move mouse pointer to the edge of the menu, and drag resizing when cursor become double-arrow.

resize system tray menu

A new ‘Control Center‘ widget is available to add to panel. With it, user may take a glance at status of network, bluetooth, KDE connect, night color, etc, control system sound volume, music playback, and launch system settings.

Plasma 5.26 also introduced 2 new apps for smart TVs. They are Aura browser to make navigating world wide web easily using remote control, and Plank Player, a media player to play videos from a storage device you plug into TV.

Other changes in KDE Plasma 5.26 include:

• Light/Dark wallpaper that follow system color scheme.
• Animated wallpapers support.
• new Timer widget.
• Change font size of digital clock.
• Configure the volume step in volume controller.
• Navigate all applications via alphabetized index in App Launcher.

Wallpaper change automatically according to color scheme

How to Get Plasma 5.26

The new desktop release seems NOT to be made into PPA for (K)Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. But, the KUbuntu Backports Landing PPA has build the packages for (K)Ubuntu 22.10.

Usually, it should be made into either KUbuntu Backports or KUbuntu Backports Extra PPA after a period of time for testing. At that time you can install Plasma 5.26 in (K)Ubuntu 22.10.

For the full release note, as well as other download links, go to KDE website.

For KUbuntu 22.04 users, the KDE Plasma 5.25 desktop is available to install via official PPA repository!

New Features in KDE Plasma 5.25:

Plasma 5.25 was released a few months ago, with great user experience improvements for Laptop and Tablet users.

It introduced the multi-touch gestures support for PC with a touchpad device:

• 3-finger swipe any direction to switch workspace.
• 4-finger pinch to open overview.
• 4-finger swipe down to open present.
• And 4-finger swipe up to activate desktop grid.

By detaching the screen or rotating it 360° will enable touch mode automatically for laptops that support it.

User can also swipe on touch-screen from the screen edge to open Overview, Desktop Grid, Present Windows, and Show Desktop.

Other exciting features includ:

• Automatic accent color that follow background wallpaper.
• Floating panel support.

KDE Floating Panel

How to Install KDE Plasma 5.25 via PPA

The new desktop packages have been made into testing repository for a month. And, I was waiting for the updates to be made into the stable backports PPA until I see the new extra PPA.

The packaging team backported the Plasma 5.25 packages into KUbuntu Backports Extra PPA for (K)Ubuntu PPA.

1. First, either press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or search for and open terminal (koncole) from start menu. When it opens, run the command below to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports-extra

Type user password when it asks (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue

2. While adding the PPA, it should refresh the package cache automatically. In case it did not, run the command below to do it manually:

sudo apt update

3. Finally, update your desktop environment in KUbuntu 22.04 by running command:

sudo apt full-upgrade

NOTE: It must be apt full-upgrade rather than apt upgrade, or Plasma desktop 5.25 will be kept back due to dependency library change.

If you’re going to install Plasma 5.25 on non-KDE Ubuntu edition, use command:

sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop

It’s BETTER to make a backup of what it’s going to install via terminal output, in case you want to restore you desktop to previous status.

Uninstall Plasma 5.25:

To remove the new desktop environment and revert back KUbuntu 22.04 to previous status, run command to install ppa-purge:

sudo apt install ppa-purge

Then use the tool to purge that PPA, which also downgrade all install packages to the stock versions:

sudo ppa-purge ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports-extra

KDE announced the Plasma desktop 5.24 few days ago! KUbuntu 21.10 users may now install it via the PPA repository.

What’s New in KDE Plamsa 5.24:

The Plasma 5.24 desktop is a Long Term Support (LTS) release that will receive updates and fixes until the next Plasma 6.

It features new overview screen to manage app opened apps. By enabling the feature in System Settings -> Workspace Behavior -> Desktop Effects, user may hold Windows key and press w to trigger overview.

Running PC or laptop with fingerprint reader? In Plasma 5.24, you may now use fingerprint authentication for login, unlock, and running apps need sudo privilege.

The KRunner now has a ‘question mark’ icon on the toolbar. Clicking on it will show a list of available plugins and how to use information.

Other Changes in Plasma 5.24 include:

• Add ‘Set as Wallpaper’ context menu option for image file in Dolphin.
• New ‘Configure Display Settings’ desktop context menu option.
• Drag and drop moving panel position in Edit mode.
• Pick custom accent color.
• Display thumbnail for notifications about video files.
• The ‘Cover Flip’ and ‘Flip Switch’ task switch effects are back
• Discover now has option to automatically restart after an update.
• Improved Wayland support, such as support for colors greater than 8 bits, VR headsets with optimal performance, and drawing tablets.

Plasma 5.24 new wallpaper

How to Install Plasma 5.24 in (K)Ubuntu 21.10:

The official Kubuntu Backports PPA has made the new desktop packages for Ubuntu 21.10 based systems.

1. Add KUbuntu Backports PPA:

Search for and open a ‘terminal’ (console) from start menu. When it opens, paste the command below and run to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo authentication, and hit Enter to continue.

2. Install or Upgrade to Plasma 5.24:

For KUbuntu users, upgrading the desktop environment by running command after setup the PPA:

sudo apt upgrade

For non-KDE desktop, it’s also possible to install the Plasma 5.24 via command:

sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop

In case you want to uninstall KDE Plasma later, it’s recommended to take a screenshot of all the packages to be installed before typing ‘y’ to confirm.

How to Restore:

To restore your desktop environment to the previous status, purge the PPA repository which also downgrade all the installed packages:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

For those installed Plasma 5.24 via apt install kubuntu-desktop command, run sudo apt remove command follow with the package names you installed!

For KDE users want to install the latest Plasma 5.21.5 desktop, it’s now available in the backports PPA for (K)Ubuntu 21.04.

Plasma 5.21.5 was released more than a week ago with stability improvements and bug-fixes. As well as the KDE Frameworks 5.81.0, they are now available to install via Kubuntu Backports PPA.

Install Plasma 5.21.5 in (K)Ubuntu 21.04:

Search for and open a terminal emulator from start menu. When it opens, run following commands one by one.

1. Add the PPA.

To add the PPA repository, paste the command below and hit run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

2. Install / Upgrade to Plasma 5.21.5:

For KUbuntu 21.04, simply run apt upgrade to install available upgrades of all packages.

sudo apt upgrade

If you’re going to install KDE Plasma in Ubuntu 21.04, run command:

sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop

There are a large list of packages to install. I’d recommend to take a screenshot of what packages to install, in case you want to remove KDE later.

Finally restart your machine to apply changes and enjoy!