How to upgrade the Linux container to Debian 12 on a Chromebook

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Upgrading the Linux Container to Debian 12 on a Chromebook

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of upgrading the Linux container on your Chromebook to Debian 12. While Debian 12 is currently the default version for most Chromebooks, this guide is particularly useful for users with older devices that no longer receive updates. By following these steps, you can ensure your Linux environment stays current and secure.

Why Upgrade?

Upgrading to Debian 12 (codenamed "Bookworm") offers several benefits:

  • Access to the latest software packages
  • Improved security features
  • Better performance and stability
  • Compatibility with newer applications

This upgrade is especially crucial for Chromebooks that have reached their end-of-life in terms of official updates from Google.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide, please refer to the video tutorial above. It provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the upgrade process, complementing the written instructions below.

Prerequisites

Before beginning the upgrade process, ensure that Linux apps are enabled on your Chromebook. If you haven't done this yet, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your Chromebook's Settings
  2. Click on the "About Chrome OS" section in the left panel
  3. Under the "Developer" section, choose "Set up" next to "Linux development environment"
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to enable Linux apps

Upgrade Instructions

Once Linux apps are enabled, follow these steps to upgrade your Linux container to Debian 12:

  1. Open the Terminal app from your Chromebook's app menu
  2. Run the following commands in order. Copy and paste each command, then press Enter:
1) sudo mv /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/oldsources.list
2) sudo touch /etc/apt/sources.list
3) sudo echo deb https://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main  | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
4) sudo apt update
5) sudo apt dist-upgrade
6) sudo apt update

Understanding the Commands

Let's break down what each command does:

  1. Creates a backup of your current sources list
  2. Creates a new, empty sources list file
  3. Adds the Debian 12 (Bookworm) repository to your sources list
  4. Updates the package lists from the repositories
  5. Upgrades all packages to their Debian 12 versions
  6. Final update to ensure all changes are applied

Verifying the Upgrade

After running these commands, you can verify that the upgrade was successful by checking for the word "Bookworm" in the output of the final update command. This confirms that your system is now running Debian 12.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the upgrade process, consider the following tips:

  • Ensure your Chromebook is connected to a stable internet connection throughout the process
  • If a command fails, try running it again
  • In case of persistent errors, you may need to powerwash your Chromebook and start fresh

Additional Resources

For more information and support, you can refer to the following resources:

By following this guide, you've successfully upgraded your Chromebook's Linux container to Debian 12, ensuring you have access to the latest features and security updates. Enjoy your updated Linux environment!

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