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# Finally! The New UI for APT Adds a Splash of Color to Improve Readability
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/apt-new-ui/
- Published: 2024-04-16T10:29:18.000Z
- Updated: 2024-04-16T10:29:18.000Z
- Description: It's time for an upgrade to the APT tool. And, this one's pretty meaningful.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Development Updates, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) is a very popular [package manager](https://itsfoss.com/package-manager/) found on Debian, and other popular Linux distros based on it. It is used to manage all the packages on a Linux system and to also install new ones, such as applications, command-line tools, etc.

Though, many users don't like how [APT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APT%5F%28software%29?ref=itsfoss.com) presents information when running commands. Hence, some switch to tools like [Nala](https://itsfoss.com/nala/), which is like APT but better at presenting information while also offering cool features like parallel downloads, an easy-to-use interface, and more.

Fedora's DNF is also a good example with how the information is displayed.

Luckily, APT is stepping up its game, and is now moving towards a more colorful, user-friendly future.

Intrigued? Then keep on reading!

## More Colors with APT: What to Expect?

![a screenshot of apt 2.9 colored output with columns](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/APT_color_a.png)

Introduced a few days back in a very [low-key manner](https://tracker.debian.org/news/1518579/accepted-apt-290-source-into-unstable/?ref=itsfoss.com), APT 2.9 (unstable) was released with an updated user interface that **now sports colors**, **displays information in padded columns**, and an organized **package removals list**.

This **also marks the beginning of the APT 3.0 development series**, which will surely feature extra refinements and upgrades to make this widely used package manager more potent.

**I *tried this it out on a Debian-equipped virtual machine, and I must say, I was not disappointed.* 😃**

When I tried installing [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) using APT 2.9, all the information was arranged quite neatly, and I never got confused as to which packages were being added; the columns and colors helped too.

![a screenshot of apt 2.9 colored output with columns](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/APT_color_b.png)

To wrap this up, I will say that **these changes certainly improve APT's readability**, and for newer users, they can now be better informed of what APT is doing when they run one of its commands.

## Want to try it out?

Well, if you can wait, then distro releases later this year could feature APT 3.0/2.9, with these changes, alongside a few others.

But if you would rather not wait and experiment, then you can install a more recent [Debian release](https://itsfoss.com/debian-12-release/) and edit the *source.list* file to use the unstable branch. Once done, update APT using the following command:

```
sudo apt install apt
```

You can also refer to APT 2.9's Debian Package [page](https://packages.debian.org/sid/apt?ref=itsfoss.com) to learn more.

[APT 2.9 (unstable)](https://packages.debian.org/sid/apt?ref=itsfoss.com)

*💬 Do you like the way APT is headed? No? Add your opinion in the comments below!*

**Suggested Read** 📖

[Apt++? Nala is Like Apt in Ubuntu but BetterNala is a Python-based frontend for apt package management. Inspired by the DNF package manager, Nala seems like a promising tool for Ubuntu and Debian users.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSSagar Sharma![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/11/nala-apt-frontend.png)](https://itsfoss.com/nala/)