---
title: How to upgrade PostgreSQL 12 to version 14
description: Canonical makes open source secure, reliable and easy to use, providing
  support for Ubuntu and a portfolio of enterprise-grade technologies. Founded in
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url: https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-upgrade-postgresql-v12-to-v14?format=md
---

*Submit*

# How to upgrade PostgreSQL 12 to version 14

## [Create a data backup](https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-upgrade-postgresql-v12-to-v14?format=md#p-15287-create-a-data-backup)

Optional but strongly advised: backup all existing data.

```
sudo -u postgres pg_dumpall > backup.sql
```

## [Perform the upgrade](https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-upgrade-postgresql-v12-to-v14?format=md#p-15287-perform-the-upgrade)

1. **Update and install packages**

```
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get install postgresql-14 postgresql-server-dev-14
```

2. **Halt the old server**

```
    sudo systemctl stop postgresql.service
```

3. **Migrate configuration files**

```
    sudo -u postgres /usr/lib/postgresql/14/bin/pg_upgrade \
    --old-datadir=/var/lib/postgresql/12/main \
    --new-datadir=/var/lib/postgresql/14/main \
    --old-bindir=/usr/lib/postgresql/12/bin \
    --new-bindir=/usr/lib/postgresql/14/bin \
    --old-options '-c config_file=/etc/postgresql/12/main/postgresql.conf' \
    --new-options '-c config_file=/etc/postgresql/14/main/postgresql.conf'
```

Note the output of this step as it may contain instructions that you need to do to finish the migration (see step 6).

4. **Reconfigure server ports**

```
    sudo vim /etc/postgresql/14/main/postgresql.conf  # Set port to 5432
    sudo vim /etc/postgresql/12/main/postgresql.conf  # Set port to 5433
```

5. **Activate new server and verify version**

```
    sudo systemctl start postgresql.service
    sudo -u postgres psql -c "SELECT version();"
```

6. **Execute new cluster script**

On Postgres 13 and below do

```
    sudo -u postgres ./analyze_new_cluster.sh
```

On Postgres 14 and above run the output from step 3 above.

## [Reset user passwords](https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-upgrade-postgresql-v12-to-v14?format=md#p-15287-reset-user-passwords)

PostgreSQL v14 defaults to `scram-sha-256` for password hashing. Redefine all existing passwords.

```
sudo -u postgres psql
postgres=# \password $USER
```

Or, modify `/etc/postgresql/14/main/pg_hba.conf` to switch back to `md5`. But be cautious, as future versions may not support MD5.

## [Remove old version](https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-upgrade-postgresql-v12-to-v14?format=md#p-15287-remove-old-version)

1. **Remove old packages**

```
    sudo apt-get remove postgresql-12 postgresql-server-dev-12
```

2. **Delete configuration and data**

```
    sudo rm -rf /etc/postgresql/12/
    sudo -u postgres ./delete_old_cluster.sh
```

---

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Last updated 10 months ago. [Help improve this document in the forum](https://discourse.maas.io/t/how-to-upgrade-postgresql-12-to-version-14/7203).