How to Update WordPress & Plugins (All-in-One Migration method)

  How-Tos, WordPress

Instructional Video: https://youtu.be/uE9qhS-iZ_g

 

  1. Log into your live site’s wp-admin portal
  2. On the left side at the top, click Plugins
  3. Review the list of plugins. If you see All-in-One WP Migration, update & activate it if necessary, then proceed to step X.
  4. If you don’t see All-in-One WP Migration, click Add New.
  5. In the “Search plugins…” field on the right, enter “all in one migration” and wait for the page to return results.
  6. Install and activate All-in-One WP Migration plugin.
  7. Now you should see All-in-One WP Migration in the left-hand navigation. Click it.
  8. On the Export Site page, click the Export To button, then select File. This will download a backup of your site to your computer, as well as create a backup point underneath All-in-One Migration < Backups.
    1. Note: If your backup is larger than 512MB (the size is displayed before you begin your download) you’ll need to install a premium extension to ensure you’ll be able to restore your backup. Follow the steps below.
    2. Click here to download the All-in-One Migration Unlimited Extension.
    3. Go to Plugins < Add New, and click Upload Plugin at the top (small button after title).
    4. Upload the .zip file and activate the plugin after installation.
  9. Once the backup has been downloaded to your computer, you are safe to begin updating WordPress and plugins.
  10. At the top of the page in the black admin bar, you’ll see an icon of two arrows in a circle (like the “refresh” symbol) with a number next to it. Click this button – it will take you to your updates page.
  11. The Updates page is split into multiple sections:
    1. WordPress updates (updates to the core WordPress software)
    2. Plugin updates
    3. Theme updates
  12. Start at the top and work your way through the updates.
    • NOTE: Under Theme updates, if the theme The Core requires updates, do not update it.
    • NOTE: Some updates require what are called “Database Updates”. After updating WordPress or a plugin, check the page notices any messages about updating the database. If there are any, follow the message’s instructions.
  13. Once all the updates are finished, go through your site page-by-page and make sure everything looks okay. If your site has unique functionality such as a special form, event booking, or portfolio, make sure to test this functionality and make sure it still works.
  14. If the updates have resulted in minor problems that you feel comfortable leaving on the live site, but would like Redtree to look into at a future date, please contact us.
  15. If the updates have resulted in a large problem that breaks your site or makes it unusable in any way, you can restore using the backup. Follow the steps below to restore.
  16. In the wp-admin portal, hover over All-in-One WP Migration and then select Backups.
  17. Locate the most recent backup. Click the grey “Restore” button.
  18. Your backup will be deployed. Wait for it to finish, then test your site again to ensure that the old version is live.

Note about All-in-One backups: Make sure not to let too many backups accumulate. They can take up a lot of space on your server. Delete old backups you no longer need, or consider storing them elsewhere.