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I don't entirely get why, but Steam on Ubuntu 16.04 will complain that the Steam package is out of date.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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abelthorne Apr 23, 2016
Quoting: shigutsoweird, I don't have the steam-launcher package to install from the ubuntu repository (multiverse is enabled)... am I missing something?
The package in the repos is "steam". If you install the deb, it adds the Steam dedicated repo and installes the "steam-launcher" package. I'm not sure about the Ubuntu repo but I think it only installs the "steam" package.
abelthorne Apr 23, 2016
Quoting: willbeonekenobiWell 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.
You mean you don't get a term window with the error message when you launch Steam, or just that you didn't have an error while upgrading (which would be normal)?
fagnerln Apr 23, 2016
Quoting: liamdawe
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.

Sure but this doesn't make sense, it's safer install from the official repository.



Quoting: abelthorne
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?

Yeah, it's using ~/.steam, but I don't get what changes with this. The client is up to date.


Last edited by fagnerln on 23 April 2016 at 9:19 pm UTC
denyasis Apr 23, 2016
I've had the same issue for months on my Sparky Installation. I also have the Steam Repo in my sources. It doesn't seem to affect anything, but it is nice to have a work around!
willbeonekenobi Apr 24, 2016
Quoting: abelthorne
Quoting: willbeonekenobiWell 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.
You mean you don't get a term window with the error message when you launch Steam, or just that you didn't have an error while upgrading (which would be normal)?

Both actually, no errors during both launching and upgrading the distro.
burnall Apr 24, 2016
No issues with steam for me on amd system, only a minor problem, I will have to use from now on opensource drivers for gaming, so goodbye half of my games in library.
duky Apr 24, 2016
I have this error (or a similar one) on my debian testing for a quite long time now.

As all still works fine, I didn't realy care of it.
Mountain Man Apr 24, 2016
Quoting: SystemShockI 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.
That's my thought, too. I'm guessing someone will fix it. We just have to be patient.
DrMcCoy Apr 25, 2016
I have that error for a while now on Debian Sid. No repo at all; I update Steam from within Steam.
damarrin Apr 25, 2016
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The thing with the Steam install is, you install a .deb (from wherever, repo or .deb downloaded from Valve's site) which is basically just an installer for Steam proper.

I personally find this annoying as it impacts other users on the system. Whenever the .deb is updated, it pops up a "do you want to install Steam" for all users who log in and people come to me asking what that is and what they should do with it. Especially as technically at that point the .deb shouldn't be needed any more since you already have Steam installed in your home folder.
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