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iDeal

OS
The alternative OS, secure by design

News and Changelog

# 2026.07.12 - Introducing the Official iDeal OS Repository!

We are excited to announce a major upgrade to how you receive updates and install custom applications!

Until now, installing our custom apps required downloading a .tar.gz archive and running an install.sh script manually.
While this worked, it meant you had to periodically check for updates and run scripts to upgrade.

Starting today, the entire iDeal OS operating system and all custom applications are maintained as native .deb packages via our new APT repository!

The benefits:

  • Automatic updates: simply run sudo apt upgrade to get the latest features and bug fixes - no more manual downloads!
  • Clean system: everything integrates perfectly with the traditional APT package manager.
  • Verified security: all packages are cryptographically signed by the iDeal OS R&D Team.
  • Future-ready: wallpapers, themes, icons, apps and system bug-fixes will be published through the same repository over time.

How to enable the iDeal OS Repository

Please open a terminal and run these three commands:

1. Download the iDeal OS security key: 

sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://repos.ideal-os.xyz/idealos-archive-keyring.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/idealos.gpg

2. Add the repository to your system: 

echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/idealos.gpg] https://repos.ideal-os.xyz trixie main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/idealos-custom.list

3. Update your package list: 

sudo apt update

Important migration step for existing users

If you are using the iDeal DNS Switcher or the iDeal Safe File applications (pre-installed in previous iDeal OS releases), we recommend uninstalling them manually first to prevent duplicate files and ensure clean updates.

Uninstall the old versions: 

sudo /opt/iDeal-DNS-Switcher/uninstall.sh
sudo /opt/iDeal-Safe-File/uninstall.sh

Note: this is a one-time step. After migration, all future updates will be automatic.

Installation

You can now install (or reinstall) these applications via the new, official repository.
Open a terminal, type and execute the following command, and confirm with your password: 

sudo apt install ideal-dns-switcher
sudo apt install ideal-safe-file

💬 Need Help?

If you encounter any issues during migration or have questions, please:

Thank you for being part of the iDeal OS community.
We are committed to making your experience better with every update!

💙 Thank you and best regards,
The iDeal OS R&D Team

# 2026.06.05 - iDeal OS 4.3

The release of iDeal OS 4.3 is a maintenance update following MX Linux 25.2 and Debian 13.5 (thanks to the developers of these powerful distributions).

Emerald Edition:

  • NEW: 'tirdad' is a TCP ISN CPU information leak protection tool, and 'sdwdate' is a Secure Distributed Network Time Synchronization tool that sets the system's clock by communicating via onion encrypted TCP with Tor onion webservers. These features were made available by the developers of the Kicksecure project.
  • NEW: twelve new fonts available system wide.
  • Enhanced security settings for the default browser and email client in AppArmor profiles.
  • All other packages and applications have been updated/upgraded.
  • Kernel updated to version 6.12.90+deb13.1-amd64.
  • General system optimization.

Diamond Edition:

The Diamond Edition of iDeal OS is now available exclusively as a paid customization service.
It allows you to customize the operating system to your specific needs by choosing the applications and software tools that best suit your workflow: our team will prepare a fully tailored ISO, ready to download and install.
Empowering entrepreneurs, freelancers, programmers, web designers, content creators, artists, YouTubers, etc.
Extensive testing will be carried out to ensure compatibility and functionality, and everything will be seamlessly integrated into the beautiful KDE Plasma 6 desktop environment.

*** Users of previous Diamond editions will continue to receive updates via the standard repositories.

** The developers of iDeal OS made this decision due to the original 'free-time' nature of the project, and the increased amount of time required to maintain the two versions.
We would like to express, anyway, our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us through words of encouragement, comments, complaints, suggestions, financial contributions and hardware donations.

* iDeal OS Emerald Edition will remain completely free of charge.
If you like it and find it useful, please consider supporting us with a donation.
💙 Thank you in advance!

# 2026.05.20 - iDeal OS 2nd Anniversary

In celebration of the second anniversary of iDeal OS, we are proud to unveil our revamped, brand new website.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us through words of encouragement, comments, complaints, suggestions, financial contributions and hardware donations.

Your support has helped us grow and allowed iDeal OS to flourish!

Enjoy exploring the new iDeal OS website.

# 2026.04.03 - iDeal OS 4.2

The release of iDeal OS 4.2 is a maintenance update following MX Linux 25.1 and Debian 13.4 (thanks to the developers of these powerful distributions).

  • AppArmor provides a new containerized environment for the default browser and email client, enhancing online security without sacrificing functionality.
  • ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is the new default office suite.
  • All packages and applications have been updated/upgraded.
  • Kernel updated to version 6.12.74+deb13+1-amd64.
  • General system optimization.
  • New Activation Tool for iDeal OS Diamond Edition.

Anyone who supports our project with a small donation will receive an activation key to unlock all the features of the Diamond Edition.

There is no need to download or reinstall anything

Previously released activation keys will work with the new version of iDeal OS Diamond Edition.

# 2026.01.31 - iDeal OS 4.1

The release of iDeal OS 4.1 introduces a significant system update: a single ISO for both the Emerald and Diamond editions. Anyone who supports our project with a small donation, will be given an activation key to unlock all the features of the Diamond Edition. There's no need to download or reinstall anything. Just use our new activation tool! A comparison chart of the major installed applications can be found here: https://ideal-os.xyz/comparison

  • All packages and applications have been updated/upgraded.
  • Kernel updated to version 6.12.63+deb13-amd64.
  • General system optimization.

Now available on the Diamond Edition:

  • A Windows 11-like Start Menu in dark and light variants.
  • MKVToolNix GUI, a set of tools to create, modify and inspect Matroska files.
  • Sweet Home 3D, an advanced 3D interior design application.
  • Subtitle Composer, perfect for subtitling, transcriptions and translations alike.
  • Planner, a project management tool with Gantt charts.

# Complete iDeal OS Changelog

If you are interested in the whole history of iDeal OS since its first release in May 2024, you can download this CHANGELOG.txt file.