Numerous new features, UI adjustments, and fundamental improvements are included in the next Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) release, making it worthwhile to upgrade.
New Features in Ubuntu 25.04
Enhancements to the Ubuntu Installer
The Flutter-based OS installer in Ubuntu 25.04 has been further refined, with an emphasis on features that make it easier to create dual-boot Ubuntu and Windows configurations.
The team claims that its goal was to improve the scenarios around ‘Install into free space’ and ‘erase and replace an existing Ubuntu installation’ a wordy way of saying the installer is much clearer about what you’re doing and provide additional messaging around the presence of other OS’s on your device.
In other areas, the installer enhances enterprise deployments with auto-installation via Landscape, enhances interaction when installing alongside pre-existing BitLocker-enabled Windows installs, and improves its handling of sophisticated partitioning and encryption.
Additionally, you may now use the installer to replace an existing Ubuntu installation (see screenshot).
Installing Ubuntu alongside other operating systems, whether Windows or not, is now less frightening and more reassuring with a welcome set of upgrades.
Grouping Notifications
GNOME 48 offers a number of improvements for Ubuntu users, including notification grouping.
To save space and lessen cognitive strain, when an application, CLI tool, or system process sends several alerts that dismiss to the message tray, they merge into a compressed “stack.”
To see and/or respond to each notice separately, click to expand a notification stack. You may also use the collapse symbol to bring the list back down.
This also makes it easier to dismiss all notifications sent from a certain app or service.
Controls for Digital Wellbeing
Screen time tracking tools and controls are available through a new Wellbeing section in Settings.
These are intended to let users keep an eye on their usage patterns, establish limits and controls, and utilise recurring reminders to take a break:
- Monitoring screen time: View a chart showing the amount of time you spend on your computer each day so you can compare it to previous days or weeks.
- Screen limitations per day: Establish a consumption limit that, when exceeded, notifies the user and, if desired, changes the screen’s colour to black and white.
- Reminders for breaks: Receive alerts when it’s time to stand up, stretch, or turn your head away from the screen.
The majority of People would concur that gaze at screens for longer than it would like to. Right out of the box, Ubuntu 25.05’s new Wellbeing panel provides us with the tools to encourage themselves to adopt healthy computing practices, which includes
Support for HDR Is Available
By default, Ubuntu 25.04 does not support HDR. A toggle under Settings > Display, which is only visible when an HDR-compatible monitor is attached, can be used to activate it.
After that, any Linux application that supports HDR which not all do at the moment can produce accurate output.
The conventional display brightness controls, such as keyboard keys, will not function when HDR is enabled. A slider for software-emulated brightness control has been added by GNOME developers.
Despite being welcomed, a notable feature for some Ubuntu’s support for HDR is formative. HDR may be a feature you enable or disable depending on your needs, as not many Linux support it. Don’t anticipate perfection, but do report bugs, ideally to GNOME upstream.
Goodies for General GNOME 48
Other GNOME 48 changes that enhance the experience for Ubuntu users include:
- To assist extend battery life, maintain battery health mode.
- By default, new windows are centred.
- Global shortcuts can be registered by apps.
- When connecting headphones, an OSD prompt appears.
- The looks of the on-screen keyboard have been improved.
- Nautilus File Manager speeds up directory loading by up to five times.
- A simplified header bar with a single menu for all settings is used by Text Editor.
- Redesigned calendar event editor with speed improvements and more.
- The camera can now scan QR codes.
Ubuntu 25.04 Release Date
Installing all the updates issued between now and April 17th will allow you to upgrade from the Ubuntu 25.04 beta to the final, stable version. You will then have the same packages, patches, and fixes as someone performing a clean install.
