Upscayl is a free, open-source AI image upscaler that runs entirely offline on your Linux machine. It offers batch processing, multiple AI models (including RealESRGAN), and preserves image quality without cloud dependencies or subscription fees. However, installing it correctly requires specific dependencies and configuration steps that vary by distribution.
Why Install Upscayl on Linux?
Upscayl solves a critical problem for photographers, designers, and content creators: enlarging images without losing quality. Traditional upscaling methods produce blurry, pixelated results. Upscayl uses advanced AI models trained on millions of images to intelligently reconstruct detail, making it possible to upscale photos 2x to 4x while maintaining sharpness. The main challenge is ensuring your Linux system has the proper graphics drivers and dependencies before installation.
Unlike cloud-based solutions, Upscayl processes everything locally. This means faster processing, no file size limits, complete privacy, and no recurring subscription costs. It supports batch operations, letting you upscale hundreds of images overnight without manual intervention.
System Requirements and Prerequisites
Before installing Upscayl, verify your system meets these requirements. You need a dedicated graphics card (NVIDIA or AMD recommended) with updated drivers, at least 4GB of RAM (8GB preferred for batch processing), and approximately 2GB of free disk space for the application and AI models.
For NVIDIA users, install the proprietary drivers. For AMD users, ensure mesa drivers are current. Intel integrated graphics will work but processing will be significantly slower.
How Do I Install Upscayl on Ubuntu?
Ubuntu users have multiple installation methods. The AppImage method is the most straightforward and doesn’t require modifying your system packages.
First, ensure you have the required dependencies installed on your system:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libfuse2 libgtk-3-0 libnotify4 libnss3 libxss1 libxtst6 xdg-utils libatspi2.0-0 libuuid1 libsecret-1-0
These libraries enable AppImage functionality and ensure proper desktop integration. Without them, Upscayl may fail to launch or display graphical errors.
Next, download the latest Upscayl AppImage from the official GitHub releases page. Navigate to your Downloads folder and make the file executable:
cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x Upscayl-*.AppImage
./Upscayl-*.AppImageThe application should launch immediately. On first run, Upscayl downloads the default AI models (approximately 150MB). This happens automatically and only needs to occur once.
Installing Upscayl on Fedora
Fedora users should install Upscayl using the Flatpak method for better system integration and automatic updates. First, ensure Flatpak is installed and Flathub is enabled:
sudo dnf install flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoAfter adding Flathub as a repository source, search for Upscayl and install it system-wide:
flatpak search upscayl
sudo flatpak install flathub com.github.upscayl.UpscaylLaunch Upscayl from your application menu or via terminal using the flatpak run command:
flatpak run com.github.upscayl.UpscaylInstalling Upscayl on Arch Linux
Arch users can install Upscayl directly from the AUR (Arch User Repository). This method builds the package from source, ensuring compatibility with your specific Arch configuration.
Install an AUR helper like yay if you haven’t already, then install Upscayl:
yay -S upscayl-binThe “-bin” package installs precompiled binaries for faster installation. Alternatively, use the “upscayl” package to build from source, though this takes longer and requires development tools.
Running Your First Upscale
After installation, launch Upscayl and you’ll see a clean interface with three main sections: image input, model selection, and output settings. Click “Select Image” to choose a photo, then select an AI model. The default “RealESRGAN x4plus” model works well for most photographs.
Choose your output directory, set the upscaling factor (2x or 4x), and click “Upscale”. Processing time varies based on image size and hardware—expect 10-30 seconds for a standard photo on modern hardware.
Common Installation Errors and Solutions
If Upscayl fails to launch with “GPU initialization error”, your graphics drivers need updating. For NVIDIA users, install nvidia-driver-525 or newer. For AMD users, update to mesa 22.0 or later.
If you see “Cannot find model files”, Upscayl couldn’t download AI models. This indicates a network issue or firewall blocking GitHub access. Download models manually from the Upscayl GitHub releases page and place them in ~/.config/upscayl/models/.
For “AppImage won’t execute” errors on Ubuntu, verify FUSE is properly configured:
sudo modprobe fuse
sudo groupadd fuse
sudo usermod -a -G fuse $USERLog out and back in for group changes to take effect.
Using Upscayl from the Command Line
For automation and batch processing, Upscayl includes a CLI mode. This is particularly useful for processing entire directories overnight or integrating into existing workflows.
Access the CLI through the GUI’s settings menu, or directly via terminal on some installations. While the primary interface is graphical, power users can script batch operations using the GUI’s folder mode combined with shell scripts.
Upscayl transforms how you handle image enlargement on Linux, providing professional-grade AI upscaling without cloud dependencies. With proper installation and configuration, it becomes an essential tool for anyone working with digital images. For more Linux software tutorials, check our guide on Package Management on Linux.