How to request a package removal

Packages that are removed from Debian are semi-automatically removed from Ubuntu universe on a regular basis by the Archive Admin team. However, packages are not removed from Ubuntu main without an explicit request, and nor are packages which originated elsewhere.

The removal request

To request removal of a package, file a bug against the package. The bug must have the following elements:

  • The release to remove it from

  • What source and binary packages you expect to be removed

  • A rationale for why they should be removed. Examples:

    • In Noble please remove bin:foo-old-stuff from src:foo as it blocks migration of the new version which is no more building it

    • In questing please remove src:bar and all of its binaries, they are dysfunctional in that release XX, because …

    • In plucky please remove src:foobar and all of its binaries, they block the transition of snafu and foobar upstream is orphaned and won’t be updated to work with the new versions of the overall stack

    • Please remove src:arrr from noble, because all binaries it used to build have been taken over by src:pirate now

  • Confirmation that the binary packages have no reverse-depends (no other package depends on them). To do so, check the instructions in Checking reverse dependencies. Copy and paste the output from whichever tool you use into the bug.

  • Mention if the request is limited to a particular architecture

Once the bug is ready, as per the above list, subscribe the ubuntu-archive team to the bugs.

Getting help

If you need help deciding whether a package ought to be removed, please discuss on the ubuntu-devel mailing list rather than asking the Archive Administrators.