Linux · Bash

List Pending Package Updates on Linux

Detects apt or dnf and lists pending package updates. It does not install anything.

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28scripts

Windows18
macOS5
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By category

Network3
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Security9
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Last reviewed: November 6, 2026

CODE

Script

pending-updates-linux.sh

#!/bin/bash
if command -v apt-get >/dev/null 2>&1; then
  apt-get update -qq
  apt list --upgradable 2>/dev/null | tail -n +2
elif command -v dnf >/dev/null 2>&1; then
  dnf -q check-update
  rc=$?
  # dnf returns 100 when updates are available
  [ $rc -eq 100 ] && exit 0
  exit $rc
else
  echo "No supported package manager found"
  exit 2
fi

Caution: Running a script is a sensitive action. Do not run code you have not read. A non-zero exit code shows as a failure in Moftgate output.

HOW IT WORKS

Run it on every device with Moftgate

01
Add the script
In the Moftgate console, open Scripts > New script and paste the code.
02
Select the OS
Select Linux as the target operating system.
03
Test it
Run it on one test device first and read the output.
04
Roll out
Send it to all targets by group, profile or tag. Each device result is recorded separately.