How to Mount ISO File on Ubuntu Linux

This brief tutorial shows students and new users how to mount ISO files on Ubuntu 18.04 | 16.04.

For several reasons, learning how to mount ISO files on Ubuntu Linux is important. Firstly, ISO files are commonly used for storing and transferring large amounts of data, such as operating systems or multimedia files.

Mounting these files on Ubuntu allows you to access and use their data. Additionally, mounting ISO files can be useful for software developers and system administrators who need to test software installations or perform system backups.

By mounting an ISO file, you can access its contents as if they were stored on a physical disk, allowing you to use them as needed. Finally, learning how to mount ISO files on Ubuntu is a valuable skill for anyone who wants to become proficient with Linux systems.

Understanding how to work with ISO files is just one of the many skills needed to become a capable Linux user, and mastering this skill will allow you to use Ubuntu Linux more effectively and efficiently.

To mount or extract ISO file format on Ubuntu, follow the steps below:

Mount via Ubuntu Command Line

In most cases, you may use the Ubuntu desktop to mount ISO files. However, using the command line is your only option when working on a server terminal.

The Linux mount command allows you to mount files at a specified point. For example, if you want to mount an ISO file named mini.iso in the /media/iso (mount point) folder, you’ll run the command below:

Our ISO file is saved in John’s home folder for this tutorial. ( /home/john/mini.iso)

To mount the ISO file, run the commands below:

sudo mount /home/john/mini.iso /media/iso -o loop

When you mount it, you may get the message below: that the device is mounted but read-only.

mount: /media/iso: WARNING: device write-protected, mounted read-only.

The -o loop option tells the mount command to mount the ISO file as a loop device. The loop device is mounted in the /media/iso folder. (aka, mount point). Loop devices have unique functions in Linux.

Now that the device is mounted at the mount point, all you need to do to view its content is to use the ls command.

Example:

ls /media/iso

That should list the content of the ISO file.

To un-mount the attached or mounted loop device, simply run the commands below:

sudo umount /media/iso/

If the device is in use, the command will fail to un-mount. You’ll need to exit the loop device to un-mount.

Use the Ubuntu Desktop App

If you’re using an Ubuntu desktop, simply right-click the ISO file and mount it using Gnome’s disk image mounter.

Once the ISO image is mounted, it will appear on the desktop, where you can browse its content using Gnome’s file manager.

To un-mount, select the mounted device on the desktop and click Unmount.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

In summary, mounting ISO files on Ubuntu is a straightforward process that can benefit students, developers, and system administrators alike. Here are the key takeaways:

• Easy Access: Mounting ISO files lets you access and use data without needing physical media.
• Versatile Usage: This skill is useful for testing software installations and performing system backups.
• Command Line Proficiency: Mastering the command line enhances your Linux capabilities, especially on a server.
• User-Friendly Options: For desktop users, Gnome provides an intuitive way to mount and unmount ISO files.
• Valuable Skill: Learning how to manage ISO files is an essential part of becoming proficient in Linux systems.

Mastering these techniques will make you one step closer to effectively using Ubuntu Linux.