How To Find The WordPress Plugin Update History

Does your site no longer look like it did before? How much has changed? What happened? Was it a plugin update? If so, which plugin got updated? You’re stuck trying to figure out what went wrong and it’s frustrating.

Without knowing what the source of the issue is, it feels like you’re navigating in the dark. This confusion can eat up your time and resources. 

In this article, we will talk about tools that can help you track your plugin update history. They are easy to install and help you monitor changes. 

TL;DR: You need an activity log to track plugin changes. Use BlogVault’s activity log for an easy solution. It offers a user-friendly interface that helps with real-time tracking and detailed logs.

You’re looking for a plugin that can track all changes made to your site, including plugin updates. You need something that helps you pinpoint any problems quickly. 

WordPress doesn’t offer this feature out of the box. So, you can’t track changes that have already been made.

But all is not lost. An activity log plugin can bridge this gap. If you install it now, you can monitor changes made to your plugins, from here on out. 

Option 1: Track plugin update history with a plugin

An activity log plugin tracks and logs all actions taken on your WordPress site. This includes user logins, content updates, plugin updates, and more. This can help you monitor changes and maintain security. For example, if a plugin update crashed your site, you can check the activity log to find out which plugins were updated and when. 

BlogVault offers a suite of features, including an activity log. So, apart from basic site maintenance features like firewall and comprehensive backups, BlogVault also offers a log of all changes that are made to your WordPress site. You can track plugin installations, updates, deactivations, etc. 

1. On your wp-admin panel, navigate to the Plugins page
2. Click Add New Plugin at the top
3. Search for BlogVault in the search bar
4. Click Install Now and Activate when you can.
5. After activation, you’ll be redirected to BlogVault’s setup page.Enter your email to create an account with BlogVault.Add your site’s URL and verify the connection.
6. Once set up, go to the BlogVault dashboard either from your WordPress admin area or through BlogVault’s website.
7. Find the Activity Log tab and click on it.
8. The activity log will display a list of all actions performed on your site. You can use filters to find plugin-related changes, with a focus on updates quickly. 

We recommend that you regularly check the activity log to stay informed about any future changes to your site.

Alternatives: One notable alternative is WP Activity Log. It offers a comprehensive view of site activities, including user actions and plugin updates. However, BlogVault provides these advantages in addition to a broader suite of features, including reliable backups, one-click staging, comprehensive security, and a vulnerability scanner. We recommend using BlogVault for an all-in-one solution instead of multiple plugins for individual functionalities.

Note: Usually, we would recommend a manual method as well. However, there’s no easy way to track updates with custom code. There isn’t a simple snippet that effectively tracks your updates in a functional manner. This is why we recommend using a plugin instead.

Option 2: Use changelog to find plugin update history 

Another useful method to find out if a plugin was updated is by checking its changelog. A plugin’s changelog provides a detailed history of all changes, fixes, and updates that have been made to it over time. Here’s how you can access the changelog and use it to verify plugin updates:

1. Visit the official WordPress plugin repository.
2. Search for the plugin you’re interested in.
3. Once on the plugin’s page, look for the Developers tab, often located towards the bottom of the page or in a sidebar.
4. Within the Developers section, scroll down until you locate the changelog. This section will list the version history and detailed information on what was changed, added, or fixed in each update.
5. Take note of the release date for the latest version.
6. Go to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to the Plugins section. Locate the plugin in question and check its current version number.
7. Match the version number from your admin panel with the latest version listed in the repository changelog. 

If the versions match and the release date is recent, you can reasonably conclude that the plugin was updated recently. This method allows you to confirm whether your plugins are up to date. It also helps you understand the specific changes that were made, providing valuable context for any issues or new features you might encounter.

How to safely update your WordPress plugins?

We understand the risk of updating anything on your site. But we also know that maintaining your WordPress plugins is crucial. The key is to update a plugin safely. 

1. Disable auto-updates

Auto-updates can sometimes cause unexpected issues. Disable them to have control over when and how your plugins are updated. 

1. Go to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins and click Installed Plugins.
3. For each plugin, click on Disable auto-updates.

2. Check changelog

Review the changelog for each plugin you plan to update. This helps you understand what changes or fixes have been made and anticipate any potential issues. This can also help you identify if an update will deprecate any functionality you currently use. In that case, you will need to turn to Plan B: find an alternative to the feature or the plugin.

3. Create a backup

Before making any changes to your site, always create a complete backup. This ensures you can quickly restore your site if anything goes wrong. Utilize a reliable backup plugin like BlogVault and perform a full backup including your database and files.

4. Create a staging site

A staging site is a clone of your live site where you can test updates without affecting your main site. BlogVault can also help you build a staging site in minutes. Just navigate to the Staging section of the BlogVault dashboard. Then, click Add Staging. 

5. Test update on a staging site

Update the plugin on your staging site first to test for compatibility and functionality. Even if you crash the staging site, you’re all good. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log into your BlogVault dashboard.
2. Navigate to the Staging section.
3. Click WP-ADMIN to login to your staging site.
4. Update the plugin you need to check. And test thoroughly.

6. Push changes to your live site

If everything looks good on your staging site, you can push the changes to your live site. If you have a static site like a portfolio site, click Merge in the Staging section. If you have a WooCommerce site, we recommend you replicate the same steps you took on your staging site on your live site. 

Should you update your WordPress plugin?

The short answer is, YES! The longer answer is that you can’t afford to bypass an update. You need it for your site to function as well as it can. Here are a few reasons why:

• A new update is also released to improve compatibility with other plugins, themes or software. For example, if WordPress releases a new update to your core files, the plugins need to follow suit too.
• Keeping your plugins updated is crucial for your site’s security. Outdated plugins are often targeted by hackers who exploit known vulnerabilities. Plugin developers frequently release updates to patch these security flaws. By updating regularly, you protect your site from potential threats and data breaches.
• Plugin updates often come with new features and enhancements. These updates can add new functionalities that improve your site’s performance and capabilities.
• As a result of the previous two points, you will improve your reader or customer’s experience. A faster site is a better experience. New features are released that you can implement for your customers. A secure plugin also means your customers have a safe site to return to. 

Final Thoughts

Plugin updates can be tricky and nerve-wracking, especially if you have to delegate this task to others. Keeping track of plugin updates is crucial for maintaining your site’s integrity and performance. This is why we strongly recommend using an activity log. BlogVault offers a detailed and helpful activity log that can provide you with the insights you need to manage your site effectively.

FAQs

How do I see recently updated WordPress plugins?

To see recently updated plugins, check your activity log. Some security plugins or WordPress maintenance plugins offer this feature. We recommend you install BlogVault for a comprehensive log of changes to your site, including plugin updates. 

How do I see my WordPress update history?

To see your WordPress update history, you can install an activity log plugin like BlogVault or WP Activity Log. These plugins track all updates and changes made on your site, providing a detailed history you can review at any time.

How to check plugin installed date in WordPress?

WordPress doesn’t provide an out-of-the-box feature to check the installation date of a plugin. However, you can use an activity log plugin like BlogVault to track this information. Alternatively, you can check your hosting site’s file manager to see file creation dates within your WordPress directories.

How to check when WordPress was last updated?You can check when WordPress was last updated by going to your WordPress dashboard and navigating to Dashboard > Updates. This section shows the current version of WordPress your site is running and indicates when updates were last checked. For a more detailed history, an activity log plugin like BlogVault can provide timestamps for all updates, including core WordPress updates.