How do I check package version using apt-get / aptitude?

Question

Before I install a package, I'd like to know what version I would get.

How do I check the version before installing using apt-get or aptitude on Debian or Ubuntu?

score 671 · Accepted Answer · edited Jan 19 '23 at 13:48

apt-get

You can run a simulation to see what would happen if you upgrade/install a package:

apt-get -s install <package>

To see all possible upgrades, run an upgrade in verbose mode and (to be safe) with simulation; press n to cancel:

apt-get -V -s upgrade

apt-cache

The option policy can show the installed and the remote version (install candidate) of a package.

apt-cache policy <package>

apt-show-versions

If installed, shows version information about one or more packages:

apt-show-versions <package>

Passing the -u switch with or without a package name will show only upgradeable packages.

apt show

Similar to what is obtained with dpkg -s <package>:

apt show <package>

aptitude

The console GUI of aptitude can display upgradeable packages with new versions. Open the menu 'Upgradable Packages'. Pressing v on a package will show more detailed version information.

Or on the command-line:

aptitude versions <package>

Passing -V will show detailed information about versions. Again, to be safe, with the simulation switch:

aptitude -V -s install <package>

Substituting install <package> with upgrade will show the versions from all upgradeable packages.

"The program 'apt-show-versions' is currently not installed. You can install it by typing.." — Peter Ehrlich, Jul 02 '12 at 20:45
Upvoted. For anyone looking for a really concrete example, on Ubuntu 22.04, if you run `sudo apt -s install wireshark`, you'll see it will install version `3.6.2-2`. If you [install the Wireshark PPA](https://askubuntu.com/a/778172/327339) with `sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wireshark-dev/stable` first, however, and then run `sudo apt -s install wireshark`, you'll see it will install version `4.0.6-1`. In this way you can clearly see that the PPA will help you get a much newer version. — Gabriel Staples, Jul 31 '23 at 23:20

score 81 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 05 '13 at 21:43

81

Another way using dpkg and grep:

dpkg -s <package> | grep Version

answered Sep 05 '13 at 21:43

Alf

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This does not work when is not already installed (which was a requirement in the question). – Serrano May 02 '14 at 09:37
better: dpkg -s | grep Version (Note the capital V) – langlauf.io Aug 09 '18 at 11:05
The answer already uses a capital V. – bfontaine Nov 03 '21 at 16:51

score 24 · Answer 3 · edited Sep 03 '13 at 13:26

24

Another option, if you don't know the full name of the package, is formatting aptitude's search output:

aptitude search <package> -F "%c %p %d %V"

%c = status (package installed or not)
%p = package's name
%d = package's description
%V = available package's version

Reference: http://linux.die.net/man/8/aptitude

edited Sep 03 '13 at 13:26

Anthon

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answered Sep 03 '13 at 13:06

Diego Ponciano

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score 18 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 27 '18 at 10:06

18

You can write apt show <package>

answered Apr 27 '18 at 10:06

Elvis Dukaj

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`apt` and `apt-cache` do the same thing. If you check the source code, they are both front-ends to the same functionality: for `show`, a function called `ShowPackage` and for `search`, a function called `DoSearch`. – Anthony Geoghegan Apr 27 '18 at 20:45
If you have upgradable packets, `apt-cache policy` will show both installed and candidate versions, where `apt show` will only show candidate version. – Pablo A Jan 16 '23 at 16:40

score 15 · Answer 5 · edited Jul 19 '17 at 15:33

15

To obtain package name:

apt-cache search *search term*

To get version details:

apt-cache show *packagename*

I believe apt-get and apt-cache are being deprecated, with apt and aptitude becoming the preferred method. Given the longevity of the apt- suite, it's probably a safe bet for some time to come!

edited Jul 19 '17 at 15:33

Stephen Rauch

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answered May 03 '17 at 09:05

Ned Flanders

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score 5 · Answer 6 · answered Jun 14 '18 at 16:16

To see the latest available package before installing. Perform update so that you have all the latest package update.

$sudo apt-get update

Now, To check the latest package available in your repository before installing run below command.

$apt-cache show <package name>

Example:

$apt-cache show latexila

or

$apt-cache show npm

score 4 · Answer 7 · answered Nov 12 '15 at 22:18

4

 $ rmadison gdm3
 gdm3 | 2.30.5-6squeeze2 | squeeze-security | i386
 gdm3 | 2.30.5-6squeeze5 | squeeze          | i386
 gdm3 | 3.4.1-8          | wheezy           | i386
 gdm3 | 3.14.1-7         | jessie           | i386
 gdm3 | 3.18.0-2         | stretch          | i386
 gdm3 | 3.18.0-2         | sid              | i386

from devscripts.deb

answered Nov 12 '15 at 22:18

sbin_bash

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For ubuntu this shows versions found for different ubuntu versions (codenames like "precise", "trusty" and "xenial"). Very slow, but may help you with the decision to upgrade your LTS ;) – Tomasz Gandor May 02 '16 at 14:02

How do I check package version using apt-get / aptitude?

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