[Ubuntu Server 25.10] Safest Way to Disable/Remove SnapD in 2026?

Operating Systems & Open Source Linux
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Hello, there.

I’ve got Ubuntu Server 25.10 running on a Raspberry Pi 5 with 2 GB. So, maximizing the amount of free RAM is important.

I have no need of the Snap Store on a system I intend to use as a centralized log server, so I’d like to get rid of. Especially since it does seem to be using at least 36.93 MB of RAM at idle.

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These are the steps I’ve found, but I have no idea if this is actually correct for Ubuntu Server 25.10:

  1. List all the snaps installed: snap list
  2. Remove every installed snap: snap remove <package>
  3. Remove core snaps (in order, not all are present on fresh install):
    1. snap-store
    2. gtk-common-themes
    3. gnome-system-monitor
    4. gnome-3-34-1804
    5. gnome-3-28-1804
    6. core18
    7. snapd
  4. Unmount the snap mount points: umount /snap/core/{point} (Find list using df -h). Or: umount /var/snap
  5. Remove snapd: apt purge snapd
  6. Remove related directories (if present): ~/snap; /snap; /var/snap; /var/lib/snapd
  7. Prevent reinstallation
    1. Create /etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref.
    2. Add content and apply:
      1. Package: snapd
        Pin: release a=*
        Pin-Priority: -10
      2. Run apt update.

Am I missing anything?

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Just curious: why not use Rasberry Pi OS? It seems like a capable tool for the job. TBH, I live in the RHEL/Arch/Fedora ecosystem, but I have a few machines outside of that depending on the use-case. All of my Pis run Rapsberry Pi OS. My System76 laptop: pop-os. My media workstation: OpenSUSE Tumbleweed with VFIO to a Windows VM. Then I have an Ubuntu Server 24.04 VM on my RHEL server to host a docker daemon for Fogejo Actions (like Github Actions if you’re not familiar with Forgejo). I also use FreeBSD for a little HA KIOSK on an old Google Pixel Slate that I flashed with Coreboot, and Windows on my old laptop with a busted screen that I access via RDP. Oh and also I use a Macbook for its sweet sweet battery life (I even find that it complements my System76 laptop, which I keep as a remote workstation at my mom’s house).

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