Arch + Ubuntu Dual-Boot with systemd-boot

I recently wanted to discover Arch Linux and install it next to my Ubuntu in my homelab system. During the setup, I had problems with the bootloader. After some research and testing, I learned that using systemd-boot is the best way to manage both systems when they share the same EFI partition. This guide explains step by step how I fixed the issue.

1. Check EFI Partition

Both Arch and Ubuntu must use the same EFI partition, mounted at /boot/efi.

• Arch puts kernel files (vmlinuz-linux, initramfs-linux.img, etc.) inside /boot/efi.
• Ubuntu keeps kernel files in /boot and makes Boot Loader Specification (BLS) entries in /boot/efi/loader/entries/.

2. Install systemd-boot

In Ubuntu, run:

sudo bootctl install
sudo bootctl update

Check if it works:

sudo bootctl status

You should see Linux Boot Manager in the list.

3. Set Boot Order

List EFI entries:

sudo efibootmgr

Example:

Boot0000* Linux Boot Manager
Boot0002* ubuntu

Make Linux Boot Manager the default:

sudo efibootmgr -o 0000,0002

4. Loader Configuration

Edit /boot/efi/loader/loader.conf:

default arch.conf
timeout 5
console-mode max

• default arch.conf → boots Arch first.
• timeout 5 → menu shows for 5 seconds.
• console-mode max → best resolution.

5. Ubuntu Boot Entry

Ubuntu makes its own entry in:

/boot/efi/loader/entries/

Example file:

title      Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS
version    6.8.0-71-generic
options    root=UUID=<ubuntu-root-uuid> ro
linux      /UUID-boot-partition/6.8.0-71-generic/linux
initrd     /UUID-boot-partition/6.8.0-71-generic/initrd.img-6.8.0-71-generic

Systemd-boot will detect this automatically.

6. Arch Boot Entry

Create /boot/efi/loader/entries/arch.conf:

title   Arch Linux
linux   /vmlinuz-linux
initrd  /intel-ucode.img
initrd  /initramfs-linux.img
initrd  /initramfs-linux-fallback.img
options root=UUID-root-partition rw

Replace UUID-root-partition with your Arch root UUID (find it with blkid).

7. Reboot and Test

Update systemd-boot:

sudo bootctl update

Restart your computer. Now you should see the systemd-boot menu with:

• Arch Linux (default)
• Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS

Summary

• One EFI partition is used for both Arch and Ubuntu.
• systemd-boot manages the boot menu.
• Ubuntu entry is created automatically.
• Arch entry must be created manually.
• loader.conf controls which system boots first and the menu timeout.