+ <li><a href="#update">Updating from stable releases of phpBB 3.2.x</a>

+ <li><a href="#update30_31">Updating from phpBB 3.0.x/3.1.x to phpBB 3.2.x</a></li>

+ <li><a href="#convert">Conversion from phpBB 2.0.x to phpBB 3.2.x</a>

+ <li>Point your web browser to the location where you uploaded the phpBB3 files with the addition of <code>install/app.php</code> or simply <code>install/</code>, e.g. <code>http://www.example.com/phpBB3/install/app.php</code>, <code>http://www.example.com/forum/install/</code>.</li>

+ <p>Once all the files have been uploaded to your site, you should point your browser at this location with the addition of <code>/install/</code>. For example, if your domain name is <code>www.example.com</code> and you placed the phpBB files in the directory <code>/phpBB3</code> off your web root you would enter <code>http://www.example.com/phpBB3/install/</code> or (alternatively) <code>http://www.example.com/phpBB3/install/app.php</code> into your browser. When you have done this, you should see the <strong><em>phpBB Introduction</em></strong> screen appear.</p>

+ <p>First, you should make a copy of your existing <code>config.php</code> file; keep it in a safe place! Next, delete all the existing phpBB files, you may want to leave your <code>files/</code>, <code>images/</code> and <code>ext/</code> directories in place, otherwise you will lose your file attachments, uploaded images and get error due to missing extension files. You can leave alternative styles in place too. With this complete, you can upload the new phpBB files (see <a href="#install">New installation</a> for details if necessary). Once complete, copy back your saved <code>config.php</code>, replacing the new one. Another method is to just <strong>replace</strong> the existing files with the files from the full package - though make sure you do <strong>not</strong> overwrite your config.php file.</p>

+ <p>You should now got to <code>/install/app.php/update</code> which will display a warning: <strong>No valid update directory was found, please make sure you uploaded the relevant files</strong>. Beneath that warning you will see a radion button <em>Update database only</em>, just click <strong>Submit</strong>. Depending on your previous version this will make a number of database changes. You may receive <em>FAILURES</em> during this procedure. They should not be a cause for concern unless you see an actual <em>ERROR</em>, in which case the script will stop (in this case you should seek help via our forums or bug tracker). If you have shell access to your server, you may wish to update via the command line interface. From your board's root, execute the following command: <code>php bin/phpbbcli.php --safe-mode db:migrate</code>.</p>

+ <p>Once <code>/install/app.php/update</code> has completed, it displays the success message: <strong>The database update was successful</strong>. You may proceed to the Administration Control Panel and then remove the install directory as advised.</p>

+ <p>The patch file is one solution for those with changes in to the phpBB core files and do not want to re-add them back to all the changed files. To use this you will need command line access to a standard UNIX type <strong>patch</strong> application. If you do not have access to such an application, but still want to use this update approach, we strongly recommend the <a href="#update_auto">Automatic update package</a> explained below. It is also the recommended update method.</p>

+ <p>A number of patch files are provided to allow you to update from previous stable releases. Select the correct patch, e.g. if your current version is <strong>3.2.0</strong>, you need the <code>phpBB-3.2.1-patch.zip/tar.bz2</code> file. Place the correct patch in the parent directory containing the phpBB core files (i.e. index.php, viewforum.php, etc.). With this done you should run the following command: <code>patch -cl -d [PHPBB DIRECTORY] -p1 &lt; [PATCH NAME]</code> (where PHPBB DIRECTORY is the directory name your phpBB Installation resides in, for example phpBB, and where PATCH NAME is the relevant filename of the selected patch file). This should complete quickly, hopefully without any HUNK FAILED comments.</p>

+ <p>The automatic update package will update the board from a given version to the latest version. A number of automatic update files are available, and you should choose the one that corresponds to the version of the board that you are currently running. For example, if your current version is <strong>3.2.0</strong>, you need the <code>phpBB-3.2.0_to_3.2.1.zip/tar.bz2</code> file.</p>

+ <a name="update30_31"></a><h2>5. Updating from phpBB 3.0.x/3.1x to phpBB 3.2.x</h2>

+ <p>Updating from phpBB 3.0.x or 3.1.x to 3.2.x is just the same as <a href="#update">updating from stable releases of phpBB 3.2.x</a></p>

+ <p>However you can also start with a new set of phpBB 3.2.x files.</p>

+ <li>(The <code>ext/</code> directory</li>

+ <li>Upload the contents of the 3.2.x Full Package into your forum's directory. Make sure the root level .htaccess file is included in the upload.</li>

+ <li>Browse to <code>/install/app.php/update</code></li>

+ <li>Read the notice <em>Update database only</em> and press <strong>Submit</strong></li>

+ <a name="convert"></a><h2>6. Conversion from phpBB 2.0.x to phpBB 3.2.x</h2>