How to Completely Remove Snap Applications from Ubuntu 20.04: A Comprehensive Guide

Snap packages have become increasingly prevalent in Ubuntu's software ecosystem, offering simplified installation and management of applications through containerization.

However, these conveniences come with trade-offs: increased disk usage, slower startup times, and potential compatibility issues. If you're looking to remove specific Snap applications from your Ubuntu 20.04 system, this guide provides the essential commands and best practices to ensure a clean, complete removal.

Understanding Snap Applications

Before removing Snap applications, it's helpful to understand what makes them different from traditional package formats like DEB:

• Snap packages are self-contained with all dependencies included
• They run in isolated environments with limited system access
• They auto-update by default and maintain their own versioning
• They consume more disk space due to the containerized approach

Listing Installed Snap Applications

To see what Snap applications are currently installed on your system, use:

snap list

This command displays all Snap packages, their versions, revision numbers, tracking channels, and publisher information.

Removing Individual Snap Applications

The process to remove a specific Snap application is straightforward:

sudo snap remove --purge app_name

Replace "app_name" with the name of the Snap package you want to remove. The --purge flag ensures that all associated data, including configuration files and application data, is removed along with the application itself.

Clearing Snap Cache Files

After removing Snap applications, it's good practice to clear the cache to free up additional disk space:

sudo rm -rf /var/cache/snapd

This command removes all cached Snap packages, which can accumulate over time as applications are updated.

Verifying Complete Removal

To confirm that your Snap application has been successfully removed:

snap list | grep app_name

If no results appear, the application has been successfully removed from your system.

Managing Snap Service Dependencies

Some Snap applications may install additional services that continue running in the background. To check for and stop these services:

snap services
sudo snap stop --disable service_name

Advanced: Removing Snapd Completely

If you wish to remove the entire Snap system from Ubuntu 20.04:

sudo apt autoremove --purge snapd

Be cautious with this approach as Ubuntu 20.04 relies on Snap for some core applications.

Troubleshooting Common Removal Issues

Locked Files

If you encounter "device or resource busy" errors:

sudo umount /snap/app_name

Then attempt removal again.

Reinstalled Applications

If Ubuntu automatically reinstalls certain Snap packages:

sudo apt-mark hold package_name

This prevents the package from being automatically reinstalled.

Conclusion

Removing Snap applications from Ubuntu 20.04 is a simple process that can help reclaim disk space and potentially improve system performance. By using the commands outlined in this guide, you can effectively manage your Snap packages and maintain better control over your system resources.

While Snap technology offers advantages for software distribution and security, having the knowledge to properly remove unwanted applications gives you greater flexibility in customizing your Ubuntu experience to meet your specific needs and preferences.