#1138872 packagekit: APT backend does not support GetCategories, breaking GNOME Software

Package:
packagekit
Source:
packagekit
Description:
Provides a package management service
Submitter:
Fedor Fedorov
Date:
2026-10-22 19:29:01 UTC
Severity:
normal
Tags:
#1138872#5
Date:
2026-06-05 01:03:47 UTC
From:
To:
The gnome-software (48.3-2) shows an empty interface on Debian Trixie with Xfce.

Steps to reproduce:
1. Install Debian Trixie with Xfce
2. Run: pkcon get-categories

Result:
GetCategories not supported by backend

Expected result:
List of categories (System, Games, Office, etc.)

This bug makes gnome-software completely unusable on Trixie/Xfce.

- PackageKit version: 1.3.1-1+deb13u1
- GNOME Software version: 48.3-2
- Desktop: Xfce

#1138872#10
Date:
2026-10-22 19:26:24 UTC
From:
To:
Hi!

GNOME Software does not use GetCategories, and it is an interface that
will be removed with the next PackageKit major release. If you do not
see anything in GNOME Software, it's either a bug in GS, or you have
no AppStream metadata. Is one of the apt-config-icons* packages
installed and is appstream installed and have you run `sudo apt
update`?

Best,
    Matthias