When upgrading FusionAuth, we recommend the following approach to ensure a smooth transition:
1. Review Release Notes
Each release may include breaking changes, bug fixes, and security updates. Be sure to check the release notes for any database migrations, template changes, or API modifications that may impact your environment. FusionAuth Release Notes2. Choose an Upgrade Strategy
You can incrementally upgrade from 1.32.x → 1.42.x version-by-version or upgrade all at once. The recommended approach depends on your risk tolerance: Incremental Upgrades: Allows for testing each version before moving forward. Direct Upgrade: Faster but requires careful testing, especially if there are major changes.3. Database Migrations & Maintenance Mode
FusionAuth automatically manages DB migrations in maintenance mode or silent mode. If you are using advanced configurations, refer to the manual upgrade process to apply database migrations carefully. FusionAuth Advanced Installation Guide4. Testing in a Staging Environment
Before upgrading production, test the new version in a staging environment to verify that: All integrations (e.g., authentication flows, webhooks, APIs) function as expected. Templates render correctly (in case of UI or email template updates). Database migrations do not introduce issues.5. Backup & Rollback Plan
Before upgrading, take full database and configuration backups in case a rollback is needed.By following these best practices, you can minimize risks while upgrading to the latest version.