# Instructions for Debian (13)?

**URL:** <https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/instructions-for-debian-13/251134>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [September 13, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/instructions-for-debian-13/251134 "2026-09-13T21:37:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![stephenbrooks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@stephenbrooks](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/stephenbrooks)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/instructions-for-debian-13/251134/1 "2026-09-13T21:37:32Z")

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I was wondering why on the [Certbot Instructions](https://certbot.eff.org/instructions) page, Debian wasn't an option for the system?

The good news is that I think I've got it installed on Debian 13 using the steps below although I warn you they came from Google's AI. All results at the console and browser were good.

```nohighlight
sudo apt update
sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y
sudo certbot --apache # Obtain and install the SSL certificate
# This put stuff in /etc/letsencrypt and modified /etc/apache2/sites-available/default-ssl.conf
sudo certbot renew --dry-run # Verify auto-renewal
sudo systemctl restart apache2 # Restart the server, I assume this is needed

```

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**Author:** ![MaxHearnden](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/user_avatar/community.letsencrypt.org/maxhearnden/32/87555_2.png) [@MaxHearnden](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/MaxHearnden)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/instructions-for-debian-13/251134/2 "2026-09-13T21:46:55Z")

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The current version on the stable version of Debian is 4.0.0 which is outdated (the current version is 5.8.0). By using recommending pip or snap, the Electronic Frontier Foundation can ensure that certbot users are able to use the latest certbot.

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**Author:** ![saudiqbal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/user_avatar/community.letsencrypt.org/saudiqbal/32/76117_2.png) [@saudiqbal](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/saudiqbal)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/instructions-for-debian-13/251134/3 "2026-09-14T00:22:32Z")

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Use acme.sh because it is very easy to use. I am never installing pip or snap with Gigs of unnecessary download files and making server hdd size huge. Did it once years ago and never again.

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**Author:** ![danb35](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/user_avatar/community.letsencrypt.org/danb35/32/70869_2.png) [@danb35](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/danb35)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 1:12am UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/instructions-for-debian-13/251134/4 "2026-09-14T01:12:19Z")

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> [@saudiqbal](#):
>
> acme.sh

...really isn't relevant to the question of how to install certbot.

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**Author:** ![rg305](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/user_avatar/community.letsencrypt.org/rg305/32/91314_2.png) [@rg305](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/rg305)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/instructions-for-debian-13/251134/5 "2026-09-14T01:26:42Z")

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I have a great recipe for chocolate brownies... if that helps  
LOL

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**Author:** ![MikeMcQ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/user_avatar/community.letsencrypt.org/mikemcq/32/52772_2.png) [@MikeMcQ](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/MikeMcQ)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/instructions-for-debian-13/251134/6 "2026-09-14T02:48:43Z")

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> [@stephenbrooks](#):
>
> `sudo systemctl restart apache2 # Restart the server, I assume this is needed`

It is not needed when using Certbot's --apache option which you did. That option reloads Apache for you.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/letsencrypt/original/3X/c/a/ca6c06ea1ea201324bba7048c6841ce60236468d.png) [@system](https://community.letsencrypt.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://community.letsencrypt.org/t/instructions-for-debian-13/251134/9 "2026-10-16T14:35:58Z")

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