26.04 Default App Changes

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS has updated several default applications, adopting the next-generation GNOME apps built on GTK4 and libadwaita. This article covers these changes in detail to help you quickly adapt to the new default applications.

Papers Replaces Evince (Document Viewer)

Papers is the next-generation GNOME document viewer, replacing the long-standing Evince with a more modern interface and better performance.

Key Changes

Papers Feature Highlights

• Supports PDF, DjVu, XPS, CBR/CBZ, and other document formats
• Smooth page zoom and scrolling
• Bookmark feature for quick navigation to frequently read positions
• In-document search
• Print and export functionality
• Annotation and highlighting support

Common Keyboard Shortcuts

If You Need Evince

If you still need Evince, you can install it manually:

sudo apt install evince

Loupe Replaces EOG (Image Viewer)

Loupe is the next-generation GNOME image viewer, replacing Eye of GNOME (EOG) with an entirely new interface design.

Key Changes

Loupe Feature Highlights

• GPU-accelerated image rendering for faster large image loading
• Smooth zoom and pan gestures
• View image EXIF data (shooting parameters, GPS location, etc.)
• Adaptive layout with a good experience across different screen sizes
• Supports JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, SVG, HEIC, and more
• Built-in simple image rotation

Common Keyboard Shortcuts

If You Need EOG

sudo apt install eog

Ptyxis Replaces GNOME Terminal (Terminal Emulator)

Ptyxis is the new default terminal emulator introduced in Ubuntu 26.04, replacing the traditional GNOME Terminal with many modern features.

Key Changes

Ptyxis Core Features

Container Integration

One of Ptyxis’s biggest highlights is native container support. It can automatically detect Toolbx and Podman containers on the system and allows you to open new tabs directly inside a container:

• Choose to open new tabs in the host or a specific container
• Tabs for different containers are distinguished by color
• No need to manually run toolbox enter commands

Tab Management

• Multi-tab support, with each tab connecting to a different container
• Tabs can be renamed for easy identification
• Drag and drop tabs to reorder them

Appearance Customization

• Multiple preset color schemes
• Custom fonts and font sizes
• Transparency settings
• Automatic light/dark mode switching with the system

Common Keyboard Shortcuts

If You Need GNOME Terminal

sudo apt install gnome-terminal

Showtime Replaces Totem (Video Player)

Showtime is the next-generation GNOME video player, replacing the long-used GNOME Videos (Totem). Built on GTK4 + libadwaita, it has a more modern, adaptive interface, suited to light playback and quick previews. With codecs installed it plays common formats; for stronger format compatibility you can still use VLC or mpv.

Resources Replaces System Monitor and Power Statistics (System Monitoring)

Resources is the next-generation system resource monitor, replacing GNOME System Monitor and Power Statistics. It presents CPU, memory, GPU, disk, and network usage along with process and battery information in a single modern interface.

Apps No Longer Installed by Default

Ubuntu 26.04 trims the default app set. The following apps are no longer installed by default and can be installed manually when needed:

• Software & Updates: no longer pre-installed

  sudo apt install software-properties-gtk

• Startup Applications: no longer pre-installed; you can manage startup apps with GNOME Tweaks instead

  sudo apt install gnome-startup-applications

Other App Updates

Besides the major changes above, Ubuntu 26.04 has some other notable application updates:

GNOME Text Editor

GNOME Text Editor continues as the default text editor, gaining performance improvements and new features in GNOME 50, including improved syntax highlighting and better large file handling.

GNOME Calculator

The calculator app has been updated to the latest version with a more refined interface, new currency conversion, and additional scientific calculation features.

GNOME Calendar and Contacts

The calendar and contacts apps received interface optimizations and improved CalDAV/CardDAV sync support.

Setting Default Applications

If you have both old and new versions of applications installed, you can set the default opening program:

Graphical Interface

1. Right-click a file
2. Select “Open With > Other Application”
3. Choose your preferred application
4. Check “Always use this application to open”

Command Line

# Check current default application
xdg-mime query default application/pdf
 
# Set Papers as the default PDF application
xdg-mime default org.gnome.Papers.desktop application/pdf
 
# Set Loupe as the default image application
xdg-mime default org.gnome.Loupe.desktop image/jpeg
xdg-mime default org.gnome.Loupe.desktop image/png

Migration Recommendations

1. Give new apps some time: New apps may have minor feature differences from old versions, but the overall experience will be better
2. Coexist old and new: You can install both old and new versions and gradually transition during the adaptation period
3. Take advantage of new features: Ptyxis’s container integration is especially practical for developers
4. Report issues: If you encounter bugs in new apps, report them through the Ubuntu Bug Tracker

Summary

By introducing next-generation GNOME apps like Papers, Loupe, and Ptyxis, Ubuntu 26.04 has elevated the desktop experience to a new level. These applications uniformly adopt the GTK4 and libadwaita framework, offering not only a more modern and beautiful interface but also significantly improved performance. While some adjustment time is needed, these updates undoubtedly make the Ubuntu desktop more polished and efficient.