Call for testing: Docker snap with core24 base

We’re excited to announce the latest developments on the Docker snap to utilize the core24 base snap. This upcoming release introduces support for the Nvidia Container Runtime on Ubuntu Core 24.

The new revisions are available on the latest/beta and core24/beta channels for amd64, arm64, armhf, riscv64, ppc64el, and s390x architectures.

To install and try them out:

sudo snap install docker --channel=latest/beta

If you already have the Docker snap installed and would like to refresh:

sudo snap refresh docker --channel=latest/beta

Once done testing, switch back to the stable revisions:

sudo snap refresh docker --channel=latest/stable

:information_source: For documentation and to report issues, please refer to https://github.com/canonical/docker-snap

Following our certification testing, these revisions will be progressively rolled out to their corresponding stable channels. This means Docker snap installations that are tracking the latest/stable channel will switch from the core22 to core24 base.

The core22 based revisions will remain available on the core22/stable channel, receiving updates until April 2026.

Here’s a summary of the key changes and required actions:

Base Upgrade

The Docker snap’s base has transitioned from core22 to core24. This was a necessary step to upgrade the bundled Nvidia Container Runtime, which depends on newer base libraries. If the core24 base snap isn’t already present on your system, it will be automatically installed during the upgrade to the new Docker snap revision.

While we are not aware of any specific compatibility issues with the host due to this base upgrade, we strongly recommend testing the new revision in a controlled environment. Should you encounter any problems, please report them.

The base upgrade required additional disk space. The core24 snap is approximately 70MB and the required disk space to install and keep it up to date is a multiple of the snap’s size. This is typically 2 or 3 times the size of the snap. For more details on snap revision retention, refer to snap revisions documentation. Please note that the core22 base snap will not be automatically removed, even if not used by other snaps. It can be removed manually.

:warning: To prevent a base upgrade in a production environment tracking latest/stable, while working on a transition plan, switch to the core22/stable channel:

sudo snap switch docker --channel=core22/stable

Nvidia Runtime Support

The Nvidia Container Runtime, included in the Docker snap, is now supported on Ubuntu Core 24 hosts. This functionality requires the Nvidia pc-kernel components and the mesa2404 snap. Detailed instructions can be found in Ubuntu Core 24 section of the documentation.

Looking forward to your feedback

5 Likes

We’ve started the progressive release of the core24 snap (amd64 and arm64 only), set to continue with 20% increments per week. If no issues arise, this will continue over the course of the next 5 weeks until all existing installations tracking latest/stable receive the upgrade.

The release for architectures will start at a later date.

2 Likes

Hi all,

We’ve concluded the progressive upgrade of the core24-based Docker snap. It is now available for amd64 , arm64 , armhf , riscv64 , ppc64el , and s390x architectures.

Thank you for your patience and contributions.