How to Fix �Add-apt-repository� Command not Found

By Kevin Arrows May 23, 2019 0 1 minute read

Some folks using Debian, Ubuntu or Ubuntu based distributions like Linux Mint get
the error �add-apt repository not found� while trying to add a PPA (Personal
Package Archive) or another repository link to their apt sources. This error is
usually caused by not having the �add-repository� package installed on their
systems.
add-apt Repository Not Found

Now, to get you started, we are going to have a look at what actually add-
repository package is in Ubuntu.

What is APT and add-repository package in Ubuntu?

Well, APT or Aptitude is a package manager developed for Debian and it is the
package manager used in Ubuntu and other Debian based distributions. Linux Mint
also uses Aptitude package manager because it is based on Ubuntu. A package
manager in Linux Distributions is a software which is used for handling all the
packages that you install in your computer thus making it an easier approach to
handle all the software installed on your system and not messing them up.

Since Ubuntu is based on Debian, it also has the add-repository package which
provides you the option to add a repository or a PPA from your terminal. This
package or software allows you to easily add a PPA right from your terminal without
needing to change the system files yourself i.e you don�t have to manually edit the
sources of apt and add repositories manually.
What causes the �add-apt-repository-command not found� Error Message?

As we have mentioned earlier, this error is mainly caused because you are missing
the package called add-repository on your Ubuntu or Linux Mint systems. You can
find a more detailed explanation down below:

Missing add-repository Package: What the add-apt-repository command does is

that it automates the process of adding a repository to your sources.list in Debian
based Operating Systems. If you don�t use this command, then you have to fall back
to the old way of editing your apt sources.list from the terminal and adding your
repository there. Hence, it�s a pretty useful tool developed for just one purpose
i.e to add your needed repositories and install software from them.

Let�s say if you want to add a PPA to your Ubuntu system, usually the command you
are going to use is:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nameofppa

But when you don�t have this package installed on your system. You will get the
following output:

add-apt-repository command not found

Installing the add-repository Package

The solution here is really simple. All you have to do is to install the package
called �add-repository� in your Ubuntu or Linux Mint system. Here�s how to do it:

Open up a Terminal.
Afterward, enter the following commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt-upgrade

 sudo apt install add-repository
Or
sudo apt update && sudo apt-upgrade
sudo apt-get install add-repository

Updating the Distro

If you get the error that �add-repository package not found�, then you might
have outdated mirrors on your system and you need to fix them first.
The best way to do it on Ubuntu (versions above 12.04) is to run the following
command from terminal:

sudo software-properties-gtk

A window of software settings and sources will open. There you need to change
the download server location which is found on the Software tab (first tab) and
select the best server.
To do that, click on the Download from drop-down menu and select �Other�.
Choosing Server Location
Then, you need to click on �Select Best Server�. Now, Ubuntu will take some
time choosing the best and updated mirror for you. After that, you can exit the
software.
There you are, your mirrors should have been fixed by doing that.
Finally, you need to run the above commands again and hopefully, you will be
able to install the �add-repository� package.
After it is installed, you won�t get the error �add-repository command not
found� anymore.