Add software to Ubuntu live usb

Persistent live Ubuntu

A good and easy way to add some software to a live USB stick with Ubuntu is to create a persistent live system, and to install the software into it.

You can create such a system with mkusb according to the following links.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/mkusb

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/mkusb/persistent

Please notice that in a persistent live drive

• Many valuable program packages are found in the repository universe, but it is not activated in [persistent] live standard Ubuntu. Make it active with

  sudo add-apt-repository universe
  

• Do not update & upgrade like an installed system

• Update the lists according to the current content of the Ubuntu repositories

  sudo apt update
  

• Install programs like you would install into an installed system, for example to install the package manager Synaptic,

  sudo apt install synaptic
  

  and then install the Teamviewer software you want from a debian file (like you would install it in an installed system),

  https://community.teamviewer.com/t5/Knowledge-Base/Installation-of-TeamViewer-on-a-Ubuntu-system/ta-p/45

• You cannot use a new kernel and cannot use new device drivers (for example proprietary drivers for graphics or wifi), because these are started at boot before the overlay system (of the persistent live system) is activated. If this is what you need, please use an ...

Installed Ubuntu system in a USB stick

A good method is to create an installed system in a fast USB 3 stick. This would work like an installed system in an internal drive (but maybe slower). It will be easier if you disconnect (unplug) the internal drive before you start installing.

An installed system (compared to a persistent live system)

• is more stable and can be updated and upgraded without restrictions.
• is portable but not as portable between computers (as a persistent live system). Installed proprietary drivers may reduce portability between computers,
• should be tweaked to reduce writing to the stick in order to reduce wear of the memory cells.

You can create an installed system in a USB stick according to the following link to another question and answer at AskUbuntu (and links from my answer there),

How do I install Ubuntu to a USB key? (without using Startup Disk Creator)