LightDM is a free, opensource and lightweight X Display Manager for Linux Desktop systems. It is also used as a cross-desktop display manager. It supports various Desktop environments including various display technology, such as Wayland, Mir, and X windowing systems.

This tutorial will help you to install the LightDM display manager on the Ubuntu Desktop system.

Installing Lightdm on Ubuntu

Lightdm packages are available under default apt repositories. You can install lightdm on Ubuntu by running the following commands.

sudo apt update 
sudo apt install lightdm 

Configure Lightdm as Default Display Manager

Once the lightdm is installed on your system. You need to run the following command to set lightdm as the default display manager on your Ubuntu system.

sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm 

You will get a list of installed display managers below:

Installing LightDM on Ubuntu Desktop display manager lightdm ubuntu
Select lightdm as default display manager

Use the keyboard UP DOWN buttons to select lightdm and then press TAB to select the Ok button and hit Enter.

Now, lightdm is configured as the default display manager. You can log out from the current session to view the Lightdm login screen.

Installing LightDM on Ubuntu Desktop display manager lightdm ubuntu
Ubuntu login screen with lightdm

In case, you still do not see the above screen reboot your system once.

Uninstall Lightdm

Before uninstalling the lightdm, switch back to gdm3 display manager

sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm3 

Select the gdm3 and hit Ok button.

Now, uninstall the lightdm package from the system.

sudo apt remove lightdm  
sudo apt autoremove

Conclusion

This how-to guide helps you with the installation of the Lightdm display manager on a Ubuntu desktop system. That loads the login screen faster than other display managers.