How to enable Automatic Login on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux

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Objective

The objective is to enable Automatic Login on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux

Operating System and Software Versions

  • Operating System: – Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux
  • Software: – GDM3, GNOME

Requirements

Privileged admin/root access to required to perform this configuration

Conventions

  • # – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
  • $ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

Other Versions of this Tutorial

Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa)

Instructions

Enable Automatic Login from GUI

ALTTEXT

Navigate to Settings->Details->Users. To start, first hit Unlock button and enter your administrative password. Once ready turn the Automatic Login switch to ON.

Enable Automatic Login from command line

Using privileged admin account open up terminal or your favorite text file editor and edit the /etc/gdm3/custom.conf configuration file. Change from:

[daemon]
# Uncoment the line below to force the login screen to use Xorg
#WaylandEnable=false

# Enabling automatic login
#  AutomaticLoginEnable = true
#  AutomaticLogin = user1

TO:

[daemon]
# Uncoment the line below to force the login screen to use Xorg
#WaylandEnable=false

# Enabling automatic login
AutomaticLoginEnable = true
AutomaticLogin = linuxconfig

You will need root/administrator privileges to perform this operation. Uncommenting the above lines will enable automatic login for the linuxconfig user. Change the username to suit your needs.

Reboot

This step is optional, rest assured that the next time you boot your Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux box the selected user will autologin.

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