Before proceeding, ensure your virtual private server (VPS) runs Ubuntu 20.04 or later.

Option 1 – Installation From APT Repository

The popular method to install PostgreSQL on Ubuntu is from the official repository via the APT package manager. Here are the steps to do so:

       
1. Run these commands to import the key from PostgreSQL’s official repository to the APT package manager:
              

   sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://apt.postgresql.org/pub/repos/apt $(lsb_release -cs)-pgdg main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pgdg.list'

              

   wget --quiet -O - https://www.postgresql.org/media/keys/ACCC4CF8.asc | sudo gpg -

          

       
2. Refresh APT to synchronize all repositories using this command:
              

   sudo apt update

          

       
3. Install the latest version of PostgreSQL with APT and sudo privileges:
              

   sudo apt-get -y install postgresql

          

       
4. To confirm the installation, run this command:
              

   sudo -u postgres psql

          

       
5. Enter the PostgreSQL version query statement:
              

   SELECT version();

          
   

Option 2 – Installation Using Local Ubuntu Repository

The alternative PostgreSQL installation method uses the local Ubuntu repository. Here are the steps:

       
1. Run this command to refresh the Ubuntu repository:
              

   sudo apt-get update

          

       
2. Verify the available PostgreSQL apt repository using this command:
              

   sudo apt show postgresql

          

       
3. Run this command to install the latest available version. In our case, it is version 12.15:
              

   sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib

          

       
4. To verify whether the PostgreSQL installation is successful, run the following:
              

   sudo -u postgres psql

          

       
5. Then, run this command to check the current PostgreSQL version:
              

   SELECT version();

          
   

The command line should show that the PostgreSQL server version 12.15 is successfully installed, similar to this: