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 697 · 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 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 82 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 05 '13 at 21:43

82

Another way using dpkg and grep:

dpkg -s <package> | grep Version

answered Sep 05 '13 at 21:43

Alf

837

22

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
Another option for installed packages: dpkg-query --show – HappyDude Jan 24 '24 at 16:46

score 25 · Answer 3 · edited Sep 03 '13 at 13:26

25

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

79,293

answered Sep 03 '13 at 13:06

Diego Ponciano

351

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

289

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

16

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

4,239

answered May 03 '17 at 09:05

Ned Flanders

161

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

41

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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