From f2a16f4f23bf01db1113d8ee23dd260efac68ea1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Werner <3305006+EvilOlaf@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:18:42 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 1/3] Update FAQ on upgrading Armbian releases Revised FAQ section to clarify upgrade paths for Armbian releases and userspace flavors. --- docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md | 8 +++++--- 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md b/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md index 33bf3690a..e8aa45729 100644 --- a/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md +++ b/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md @@ -82,10 +82,12 @@ However, using the [**Armbian build framework**](https://docs.armbian.com/Develo If enough users show interest in a specific configuration, we may **adjust build targets** accordingly. -## Can I upgrade my userspace flavor, like Bullseye to Bookworm or Jammy to Noble? +## Can I upgrade to a new Armbian release? + +Yes! A simple `apt update && apt upgrade` will upgrade all Armbian-related core packages (firmware, kernel, bsp) to the most recent version available. -Note: Upgrading Armbian core components (kernel, firmware, bootloader) and upgrading the chosen userspace are independent processes. The former is performed with `apt update && apt upgrade`. +## Can I upgrade my userspace flavor, like Bullseye to Bookworm or Jammy to Noble? -Armbian does not provide a standardized userspace upgrade path (e.g., *Focal*→*Jammy*, *Jammy*→*Noble*, *Bullseye*→*Bookworm*, *Bookworm*→*Trixie*) nor encourages to do so. We would love to offer this, but we currently lack the resources (time and devices) to validate such upgrades across diverse scenarios. +Armbian does not provide a standardized userspace upgrade path (e.g. *Jammy*→*Noble*, *Bookworm*→*Trixie*, ...) nor encourages to do so. We would love to offer this, but we currently lack the resources (time and devices) to validate such upgrades across diverse scenarios. You may attempt a userspace upgrade using the official Debian/Ubuntu methods. Before doing so, freeze Armbian firmware/kernel/bootloader packages via [armbian-config](https://docs.armbian.com/User-Guide_Armbian-Config/). Note: issues arising from such upgrades are out of scope for Armbian support. From f3347460f9de8fe3abb2bce78e7ba7495161c138 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Werner <3305006+EvilOlaf@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:40:02 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 2/3] clarifications Clarify the upgrade process and support limitations for userspace flavors in Armbian. --- docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md | 8 ++++---- 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md b/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md index e8aa45729..779ebea0b 100644 --- a/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md +++ b/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md @@ -84,10 +84,10 @@ If enough users show interest in a specific configuration, we may **adjust build ## Can I upgrade to a new Armbian release? -Yes! A simple `apt update && apt upgrade` will upgrade all Armbian-related core packages (firmware, kernel, bsp) to the most recent version available. +Yes! A simple `apt update && apt upgrade` will upgrade all Armbian-related core packages (firmware, kernel, bsp) to the most recent version available just like it will for underlying distribution packages. ## Can I upgrade my userspace flavor, like Bullseye to Bookworm or Jammy to Noble? -Armbian does not provide a standardized userspace upgrade path (e.g. *Jammy*→*Noble*, *Bookworm*→*Trixie*, ...) nor encourages to do so. We would love to offer this, but we currently lack the resources (time and devices) to validate such upgrades across diverse scenarios. - -You may attempt a userspace upgrade using the official Debian/Ubuntu methods. Before doing so, freeze Armbian firmware/kernel/bootloader packages via [armbian-config](https://docs.armbian.com/User-Guide_Armbian-Config/). Note: issues arising from such upgrades are out of scope for Armbian support. +Performing this is out of scope for Armbian domain and we cannot provide any support if something goes wrong. +An experimental way of doing this is available through `armbian-config` but also here no supported can be provided. +In any case when trying this make sure you have a proper backup for your whole system. From bd76b47ced9dfb0ce6484be05a8d43d23afb9915 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Igor Pecovnik Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:43:21 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 3/3] Further clarifications and link to armbian-config section --- docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md | 17 ++++++++++++----- 1 file changed, 12 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md b/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md index 779ebea0b..24c8f83df 100644 --- a/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md +++ b/docs/User-Guide_FAQ.md @@ -84,10 +84,17 @@ If enough users show interest in a specific configuration, we may **adjust build ## Can I upgrade to a new Armbian release? -Yes! A simple `apt update && apt upgrade` will upgrade all Armbian-related core packages (firmware, kernel, bsp) to the most recent version available just like it will for underlying distribution packages. +Yes! The simple `armbian-upgrade` command, which is an alias for `apt update && apt upgrade`, will upgrade **all Armbian-related core packages** (firmware, kernel, BSP) to the most recent version available — just as it will upgrade the underlying distribution packages. -## Can I upgrade my userspace flavor, like Bullseye to Bookworm or Jammy to Noble? +## Can I upgrade my userspace flavor, like Bookworm → Trixie or Jammy → Noble? -Performing this is out of scope for Armbian domain and we cannot provide any support if something goes wrong. -An experimental way of doing this is available through `armbian-config` but also here no supported can be provided. -In any case when trying this make sure you have a proper backup for your whole system. +Distribution upgrades (e.g. Bookworm → Trixie, Jammy → Noble) are **outside the scope of Armbian support**. If you attempt such an upgrade, we cannot assist if problems occur. + +An **experimental upgrade option** is available in [armbian-config](https://docs.armbian.com/User-Guide_Armbian-Config/System/#stable-distro-upgrade), but it is provided *as-is* and without support. + +Keep in mind: + +- A distribution upgrade usually updates **all system packages**, which in 99% of cases come from the **upstream distribution (Debian/Ubuntu)**. +- **Armbian firmware, kernel, and U-Boot are not part of this process**, which makes the upgrade generally safer from a hardware-support perspective. + +If you decide to proceed, always ensure you have a **full backup of your system** so you can recover in case the upgrade fails.