Install “libncurses5” on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS: STM32CubeIDE Compatibility Guide

Why Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Needs libncurses5 for STM32 Development

STM32CubeIDE, a popular tool for microcontroller programming, relies on legacy libraries like libncurses5 for terminal operations. However, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) removes outdated packages, which can cause dependency errors when compiling projects. This guide explains how to:

• Install libncurses5 on Ubuntu 24.04 using older repositories.
• Fix “libncurses5 not found” errors for STM32 development.
• Ensure backwards compatibility for legacy software.

Step-by-Step Fix: Install libncurses5 on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 1: Install libtinfo5 Manually (Critical Dependency)

Without libtinfo5, libncurses5 will fail. Download and install it:

wget http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.2-0ubuntu2.1_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.2-0ubuntu2.1_amd64.deb

Step 2: Add Ubuntu 20.04 Repositories for Legacy Packages

Ubuntu 24.04 no longer hosts libncurses5, so add Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa) repositories:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources

Add these lines:

Types: deb
URIs: http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/
Suites: focal-security
Components: main universe
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/ubuntu-archive-keyring.gpg

Step 3: Update APT & Install libncurses5

Refresh repositories and install:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install libncurses5

Verify installation:

ldconfig -p | grep libncurses5 # Should show "libncurses5.so.5"

Troubleshooting: Common Errors & Solutions

“Hash Sum Mismatch”: Run sudo apt clean && sudo apt update.

“Broken Packages”: Use sudo apt --fix-broken install.

Still missing libncurses5? Ensure focal-security is uncommented in ubuntu.sources.

Why This Fix Works (Ubuntu Repositories Explained)

Ubuntu’s APT package manager prioritises newer packages. By adding Ubuntu 20.04’s repositories, you access older but compatible versions of libncurses5 and libtinfo5, ensuring STM32CubeIDE runs smoothly on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.