Command-Line – Get Autologin at Startup Working on Ubuntu Server 16.04.1

I have a problem with autologin at startup in Ubuntu Server 16.04.1 LTS.

I use this server only for listening internet radio so I do not care about security.

I was able to create a bash script to auto start mplayer but can't configure autologin.

I've tried at least 4 solutions (always editing the file /etc/init/tty1.conf and of course replacing USERNAME with actual user name):

change the line from

exec /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty1

exec /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty1 -a USERNAME

change the line from

exec /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty1

exec /bin/login -f USERNAME < /dev/tty1 > /dev/tty1 2>&1

Install rungetty, comment the line

exec /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty1

and add the line

exec /sbin/rungetty --autologin USERNAME tty1

Install mingetty, comment the line

exec /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty1

and add the line

exec /sbin/mingetty --autologin USERNAME tty1

Nothing helps – I have to input my login and password at startup – any ideas what to do?

Try this:

sudo systemctl edit getty@tty1.service

This will the create a drop-in file (if neccessary) and open it an editor. Add the following, replacing myusername with your user name:

[Service]
ExecStart=
ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --noissue --autologin myusername %I $TERM
Type=idle

This will:

Create the folder /etc/systemd/system/getty@tty1.service.d if necessary
Create the file /etc/systemd/system/getty@tty1.service.d/override.conf if necessary