--- title: About upgrades description: This documentation explains how to upgrade PingDS software. It doesn't cover upgrading DS client applications or changing the directory service schema or configuration. Keep those operations separate from the DS software upgrade. component: pingds version: 8.1 page_id: pingds:upgrade-guide:about-upgrades canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/8.1/upgrade-guide/about-upgrades.html revdate: 2025-10-22T14:42:39Z keywords: ["Compatibility", "LDAP", "Replication", "Upgrade"] section_ids: upgrade-features: Activate new features after upgrade upgrade-paths: Supported upgrades --- # About upgrades This documentation explains how to upgrade PingDS software. It doesn't cover upgrading DS client applications or changing the directory service schema or configuration. Keep those operations separate from the DS software upgrade. | | | | - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | This documentation assumes you:- Are upgrading from DS 7 or later. - Performed all the recommended upgrade procedures when moving to the currently deployed version, including the "After you upgrade" procedures.If not, begin with the [upgrade documentation for DS 7.5](https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/7.5/upgrade-guide/preface.html). | ## Activate new features after upgrade When you upgrade DS in place, the upgrade process preserves the existing configuration as much as possible. This maintains compatibility, but you do not have access to all new features immediately after upgrade. You must take additional steps to complete the process, including activating new features. ## Supported upgrades | From…​ | To…​ | Important Notes | | ---------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Official DS release, version 6.0 or later | Official DS release, same edition of directory server or replication server | Supported. | | Official ForgeRock release, 2.6.x to 5.5.x | Official DS release, directory server or replication server | Not supported.1 | | Official ForgeRock release, version 2.4 or 2.5 | Official DS release, directory server or replication server | Not supported.2 | | Evaluation release | Official DS release | Not supported.The evaluation version includes an additional server plugin and configuration. Official releases do not have an upgrade task to remove the plugin and its configuration. | | Unofficial build | Official DS release | Not supported. | 1 Workaround: First upgrade to DS 6.5, then to DS 7.5. 2 Workaround: First upgrade to OpenDJ 2.6, then to DS 6.5, then to DS 7.5.