Install Python 3.8 on Ubuntu

1. Add the PPA

Open terminal and run command: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Install Python 3.8

Refresh system package cache: sudo apt update

Install Python 3.8: sudo apt install python3.8

3. Once successfully installed, check your system Python versions

Run command: python3 --version

4. (Optional) To use Python 3.8 as the default python3

sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python3 python3 /usr/bin/python3.6 1

sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python3 python3 /usr/bin/python3.8 2

For Ubuntu 16.04 replace python3.6 with python3.8. And you can then switch between the two Python3 versions via command:

sudo update-alternatives --config python3

Type number 2 when the "Press [enter] to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number:" appear.

NOTE: You can create a symlink to use default python via command:

sudo ln -s -f $(which python3) $(which python)

Check python version with command: python --version

5. Uninstall Python 3.8

To uninstall the Python 3.8 packages, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove python3.8 python3.8-minimal

To remove the Deadsnakes PPA, launch Software & Updates and go to Other Software tab, then remove the repository line and close the window.