Ubuntu

Can I remove snap?

Asked by actionparsnip

Hi I am wondering if I can disable snaps on my system. The packages will never change now and I am using Focal. I have ran the below:

# snap list
Name Version Rev Tracking Publisher Notes
core18 20200707 1880 latest/stable canonical✓ base
lxd 4.3 16100 latest/stable/… canonical✓ -
snapd 2.45.2 8542 latest/stable canonical✓ snapd

Is this just snap existing or are there applications installed using snap? If not, how can I remove snap entirely and will this affect my OS now or later on?

Cheers
-AndyW

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Manfred Hampl
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#1

What I know is that some software is available only as snap, e.g. chromium-browser.
The command "apt install chromium-browser" installs an almost empty .deb file that then installs the snap version of chromium in its preinst script.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#2

Yeah I know that bit but I've installed Spotify from their repo and the system is as it should be. No other software will be added or removed so can I remove snap and not hurt the OS.

To be honest I can recreate the box easily as it does so little but I was just curious if people knew I could remove it.

The output seems to just be the bare bones of snap with no apps installed using the method.

Revision history for this message
Kai Kasurinen (kai-kasurinen) said : 		#3

You have installed lxd and snapd snaps? Its fine remove/purge snapd if you dont need it.

https://www.kevin-custer.com/blog/disabling-snaps-in-ubuntu-20-04/

Revision history for this message
Kai Kasurinen (kai-kasurinen) said : 		#4

Just note. On Ubuntu 20.04 desktop 'Ubuntu Software' is snap-store snap installed from special channel.

 https://askubuntu.com/questions/1233280/is-ubuntu-software-exactly-the-same-as-snap-store-in-20-04

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

Just Spotify and VPN. The rest is the default stuff in LXDE. Nothing fancy. Will remove it and report back

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#6

Just checked your link. I don't use the GUI apps to install applications. I know what I want. The GUI way is far too slow IMHO.

Revision history for this message
Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#7

I suggest that you just try what's happening if you "snap remove" the three snap packages and "apt uninstall" snapd (and eventually other snap-related deb packages)

My expectation is that Ubuntu will still run, but you might be missing some functions (like lxd or chromium-browser - if you don't use these you should be fine).

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#8

I was on about:

sudo apt uninstall snapd

Fully remove the snap system. Still OK?

Revision history for this message
Best Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#9

Just try.
The worst thing that can happen is a broken system requiring repair or newinstall.
I assume that you are able to do that if needed.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#10

Should be OK. Just curious really. Cheers man

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#11

Thanks Manfred Hampl, that solved my question.