the phone-home register

snapd

What snapd sends out of your computer by default, when, to whom, and the switch that stops it, version by version, with how we know.

The answer

Per its 'Manage updates' page, read 2026-10-10, and its source at upstream tag 2.76.3, not wire-checked: snapd checks the snap store at api.snapcraft.io for updates to your installed snaps four times a day by default; snap set system refresh.hold=<date> holds the refresh, or masking snapd's units stops it while no snap can run, and either way your snaps stop receiving updates, security ones included.

Builds and versions

the distro's package snapd 2.76.3+ubuntu26.04On by default?yes · read in its own documentsMeasured here?no · in the vendor's documentsDate checked (UTC)2026-10-10

Version: 2.76.3+ubuntu26.04 · the Ubuntu 26.04 package
Where the evidence came from: Ubuntu 26.04 desktop, x86-64 (a machine of ours, not a stock install)
On by default?: yes · read in its own documents
Measured here?: no · in the vendor's documents
Date checked (UTC): 2026-10-10
Why we say so: its 'Manage updates' page read 2026-10-10; the package version read on a machine of ours

Each call out

store refresh · 2.76.3+ubuntu26.04

Version · build: 2.76.3+ubuntu26.04 · the Ubuntu 26.04 package · Ubuntu 26.04 desktop, x86-64 (a machine of ours, not a stock install) · the distro's package snapd 2.76.3+ubuntu26.04
Sends by default: yes · read in its own documents
Kind: checks
Trigger: on its own
When: Per its documents: the system refreshes four times a day by default. Not wire-checked at this version.
Where: update service · api.snapcraft.io
What it sends: store refresh checks for installed snaps (request)
The vendor's stated purpose: “Snaps update automatically, and by default, the snapd daemon checks for updates 4 times a day.” — Snap documentation, 'Manage updates', its opening sentence, read 2026-10-11
Grade and method: read · its 'Manage updates' page read 2026-10-10; the package version read on a machine of ours · read 2026-10-10
Receipts: its 'Manage updates' page · the store's address in snapd's source (upstream tag 2.76.3) · the default refresh schedule, four times a day · the package

The switch

refresh.hold, or mask snapd's units

Accepted values: a hold date, or masked
What it is: a snap system option, or systemd units
Where it must be set: snap set system refresh.hold=<date>, or systemctl mask on snapd's units (no snap works while they are masked) · turn them off
Also turns off: security and feature updates for your snaps
What turning it off costs: your snaps stop receiving updates, security fixes included
Proof: documented; not tested by us
For the call: store refresh · 2.76.3+ubuntu26.04

Listens beyond the machine, and other cloud features

Listens beyond the machine by default

n/a · a system daemon: not a server you reach (2.76.3+ubuntu26.04 the Ubuntu 26.04 package)

Other cloud features

None found.

What it leaves on disk

Nothing we know of.

Brings in, and installed for you by

None on the register.

Credit

None recorded.

Vendor documents it? · public discussion

Vendor documents it?

store refresh · 2.76.3+ubuntu26.04: yes · Its 'Manage updates' page documents the refresh schedule and how to hold it. · snapcraft.io · manage-updates · read 2026-10-10