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I don't entirely get why, but Steam on Ubuntu 16.04 will complain that the Steam package is out of date. The way to solve it is a little annoying, but it works.

Note: It might be an idea to backup your games if you do this. I have mine on a different drive. You can simply add them back in going into Steam -> Settings -> Downloads -> Steam Library Folders and adding it in there if you use a different install folder like me.

Some people on the bug report have noted a way to bring your games back if you don't use a different folder, here's a way to do it in terminal (mv = move):

Move games
mv ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps ~/.steam/steamapps
Move profiles
mv ~/.local/share/Steam/userdata ~/.steam/userdata
I have not tested this, as mentioned I don't use the default folder.

Some games don't save to the Steam Cloud either, so backup up saved games might be a good idea too.

You will need to remove Steam, and the Steam repository, then re-install it from the Ubuntu repository. This will remove the error message.

Annoying, but it works fine.

I've been following the bug report on github, but it seems Valve haven't responded to it. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial, HOWTO
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24 comments
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fagnerln Apr 23, 2016
Steam is a software that updates itself, I don't get why someone prefer installs from another source other than Ubuntu repository.
Liam Dawe Apr 23, 2016
Quoting: fagnerlnSteam is a software that updates itself, I don't get why someone prefer installs from another source other than Ubuntu repository.

If you download it from Steam it seems to auto add a repository.
abelthorne Apr 23, 2016
Quoting: fagnerlnSteam is a software that updates itself, I don't get why someone prefer installs from another source other than Ubuntu repository.
From what I remember, the package from the Ubuntu repo was a bit old and using the old Steam pathes (i.e. ~/.steam rather than ~/.local/share/steam). It's a bit weird that the client complains about this now, have they (Valve) changed where stuff should be put again?


Last edited by abelthorne on 23 April 2016 at 4:30 pm UTC
Keyrock Apr 23, 2016
I haven't gotten this error on Xubuntu 16.04.
abelthorne Apr 23, 2016
Quoting: KeyrockI haven't gotten this error on Xubuntu 16.04.
With Steam installed from the deb you get on Valve's website or from the Ubuntu repos? It only happens with the deb.
shigutso Apr 23, 2016
weird, I don't have the steam-launcher package to install from the ubuntu repository (multiverse is enabled)... am I missing something?
Keyrock Apr 23, 2016
Quoting: abelthorne
Quoting: KeyrockI haven't gotten this error on Xubuntu 16.04.
With Steam installed from the deb you get on Valve's website or from the Ubuntu repos? It only happens with the deb.
From the repos. I like to do everything through the repos if possible. Less potential conflicts that way.


Last edited by Keyrock on 23 April 2016 at 5:41 pm UTC
SystemShock Apr 23, 2016
I have the same Error on my Ubuntu 16.04 Installation.
It pops up one Time when i start Steam.
When i accept this popup Message everything works normal for me.
I'm not sure wether or not to do all the annoying Stuff as mentioned above or just give Valve and Canonical some Time to fix this Bug.
linux_gamer Apr 23, 2016
Quoting: liamdaweMove games
mv ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps ~/.steam/steamapps
Move profiles
mv ~/.local/share/Steam/userdata ~/.steam/userdata
I have not tested this, as mentioned I don't use the default folder.
Much more failsafe (to me)
ln -s ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/ ~/.steam/ 
ln -s ~/.local/share/Steam/userdata/ ~/.steam/ 
Let me know if that works!
willbeonekenobi Apr 23, 2016
Well I just upgraded from 15.10 to 16.04, and I didn't get any errors, and as far as I remember when I did the initial install of Steam (back when the pc had 15.04) I installed it through the .deb file and not the ubuntu repo's.
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