WordPress Version: A Complete Guide

Feeling lost and overwhelmed by WordPress versions? Not sure what the latest one is? How do you upgrade or downgrade? Is it even safe?

Always take a reliable backup before you make changes to your WordPress installation.

WordPress is constantly developing new versions and you have to be on top of them. Updating WordPress is essential, but it’s also crucial to make sure the process is done safely. By regularly updating WordPress and its plugins, you keep your site secure and performing well.

This article walks you through everything you need to know about your WordPress version. In the process, we will help make your website maintenance easy. 

TL;DR: Understanding WordPress versions and how to maintain your site is essential. But, we recommend that you take a full backup before you make any changes, like updating versions. 

Understanding WordPress versions

You might have noticed that WordPress versions follow a specific numbering system. This system helps you understand the types of updates being released. Let’s break it down:

A. Major releases 

Major releases are indicated by a change in the first or second digit. For example, going from WordPress 5.0 to 6.0, or 5.2 to 5.3. They bring big changes, new features, and major improvements to the platform. Major updates are usually planned and released on a schedule. They come with detailed release notes and documentation to help users understand what has changed. 

B. Minor releases

Minor releases are indicated by a change in the third digit: For instance, an update from WordPress 5.1.1 to 5.1.2. These are smaller updates that focus on bug fixes, incremental improvements, and security patches to ensure your site remains safe and functional. These updates do not usually introduce new features or major changes that could break compatibility with existing plugins and themes.

C. Dev releases

Development releases, or “dev releases,” are pre-release versions made available primarily for developers and advanced users to test new features, enhancements, and bug fixes ahead of official stable releases. These versions, often labeled as alpha, beta, or release candidates (RC), help ensure that upcoming changes work as intended and maintain compatibility with existing themes, plugins, and custom code. They are not recommended for production sites due to potential instability but are essential for testing environments.

What is the latest WordPress version?

As of writing this article, the latest WordPress version is 6.6.1.

Keeping your WordPress version up to date is integral for security and functionality. You can always find details about the latest version by checking the official WordPress release notes. 

In the 6.6.1 update, there are 7 bug fixes in the core and 9 bug fixes in the block editor. We recommend that you review the changes in a release before making any updates. 

How to check if you need to update the WordPress version?

When it comes to plugins, themes, and core, we recommend that you check for updates every week. You can use a few different ways to check if your WordPress version needs to be updated, like:

1. Use a plugin: BlogVault, for example, has a sophisticated updates management system that checks for updates in real-time. You can find it on the BlogVault dashboard. 

Pro tip: You can completely manage updates on the BlogVault dashboard. It offers features like UpdateLens, safe updates, and sandbox testing that automatically implement precautions on your behalf. 

2. On the dashboard: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. You’ll often see a notification at the top or an update icon in the left pane. This will alert you if a new version of WordPress is available.
3. Compare versions: You can also compare the version number displayed on your dashboard with the latest version mentioned in the official WordPress release notes. 

How to safely update WordPress versions?

We recommend that you handle updates between minor and major releases differently. When updating between major WordPress versions, there are way too many changes to consider. So, let’s break it down. 

Update to a minor release

Minor releases usually just fix bugs and offer minor changes. There is lesser likelihood of your facing incompatibilities. But, we still recommend that you take some precautions before you update it. The longer version would be to test the update on a staging site first. But, an easier way to update your site is to use BlogVault’s Safe Update feature. 

We always recommend that you take a backup before any major changes. The Safe Update feature does this for you automatically. Additionally, it will also perform visual tests to make  sure your site hasn’t been visually affected by the update. 

Here is how to use it:

1. Install the BlogVault plugin
2. You will have to create an account

3. Add your site to the dashboard
4. Give it some time to scan your site completely
5. Then, scroll to the Vulnerability scanner section
6. Select the WordPress tab and click Update

7. Click Next Step after that, to confirm
8. Select Safe Upgrade and click Update in the windows that pop up

7. Give it some time to finish
8. Once it’s done, you can review the report that is generated

Updating to a major release

1. Take a backup: Before making any changes, backup your entire site, including the database and files. You can use plugins like BlogVault for an easy backup process. 

When you install a reliable backup plugin like BlogVault, it takes care of the hassle of automating backups. If your site crashes from the update, the external dashboard can restore your site in just one click.

2. Set up a staging site: A staging site is like a replica of your website that serves as a testing ground. You can safely test updates without worrying about crashing your live site.

2. Test new WordPress version on staging site: Apply the WordPress update on the staging site first. This allows you to see if any issues arise from the update without affecting your live site.
3. Test the site functionality: After updating on the staging site, thoroughly test all functionalities. Check forms, buttons, and custom features to ensure everything works as expected. Correct any issues you find within the staging site itself.
4. Push changes to the live site: Once you’re confident that the update doesn’t cause any issues, or that all issues found are rectified, apply the same update to your live site. This can often be done with one click if you use a staging tool, or manually if you prefer.

How to safely update across many major releases?

Updating WordPress by skipping several major WordPress versions can cause conflicts with your site’s themes, plugins, and customizations. This can lead to downtime, broken features, or data loss. If you’re upgrading from a very old version, we recommend that you do so with a lot of caution and slowly. 

1. First, you have to create a comprehensive backup. It’s your last resort if things go downhill. We recommend you use a reliable backup plugin like BlogVault that can recover a fully crashed site and has an external dashboard. You need a plugin that helps restore your site in minutes and takes backups regularly. 

2. Next up, create a staging site. When updating things on a site, you need the flexibility to make mistakes without affecting your live site. This is what a staging site offers. With Blogvault, you can easily build a staging site. Head to the Staging section and click Add Site. 

3. Before you start testing the update, you have to verify compatibility. Start by making a list of your plugins and the active theme. Then check if they are compatible with the latest version of WordPress. If they are not, check the plugin update history to see when they were last updated.If it was recent, the likelihood is that they need some time to release a more compatible update. If it’s been a while, the plugin is likely to be badly maintained. In that case, we recommend that you find alternatives.
4. Login to your staging site’s wp-admin panel. If you’re using BlogVault, then navigate to the staging section of the BlogVault dashboard and click on WP-ADMIN. 

1. Then, update the core in increments. This means downloading each intermediary version from WordPress release archives and using an FTP client to manually update a version. 
2. Between updates, review the site for crashes and problems.Check for functionality and design changes. 
3. Once the core updates are done, update the plugins, one by one. 
4. Again, review the site between updates to make sure your site is still functioning. 
5. Lastly, update the theme to catch up with the latest WordPress version.
6. Check that everything is fine. If not, reach out to the relevant support team. 
7. If your site survived that, you have to push these changes to the live site. This means, replicating every step on the live site. 

Why does WordPress release versions?

Even with precautions like maintaining a backup to fall back on, WordPress updates can be nerve-wracking. It might be tempting to disable updates and ignore them. 

1. Security enhancements: Cyber threats are constantly evolving. Every new WordPress version includes patches for security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by these threats. These updates are vital for protecting your website from potential threats and ensuring the safety of your data and that of your users.
2. Performance improvements: Each new WordPress release often brings optimizations that enhance the platform’s performance. These improvements can lead to faster load times, more efficient resource usage, and overall smoother operation.
3. Introducing new features and functionalities: To remain competitive and provide ongoing value, WordPress updates frequently introduce new features and functionalities. These enhancements can improve both the backend and frontend experiences, offering more tools and options for site management and content creation.
4. Bug fixes and issue resolution: Like any complex software, WordPress is susceptible to bugs and issues. Regular updates allow the WordPress team to address and fix these problems, ensuring a more stable and reliable platform.
5. Compatibility assurance: The WordPress ecosystem includes thousands of themes and plugins. The ones installed on your site need to work seamlessly together. Updates ensure that your WordPress version stays compatible with the latest plugins and themes, preventing potential conflicts that could arise from using outdated software components.
6. SEO benefits: Improved performance and the introduction of new features can directly contribute to better SEO rankings. Search engines favor websites that load quickly and are responsive, and regular updates help ensure that your site meets these criteria.
7. Enhanced user and admin experience: Updates can significantly enhance both the admin and user experience, making the site easier to manage, use, and navigate. New tools, a more intuitive interface, and refined functionalities contribute to an overall better experience for everyone interacting with your site.
8. Compliance with web standards and regulations: The web environment is governed by continually evolving standards and regulations. Regular updates help ensure your site complies with the latest web standards and regulatory requirements, keeping it accessible, secure, and optimized. Compliance also helps avoid potential legal issues related to outdated practices.

Final thoughts

Maintaining your WordPress version is a crucial aspect of effective website management. Regular updates are fundamental in safeguarding your site against security vulnerabilities. They also leverage performance improvements and new features, as well as ensure compatibility with the latest plugins and themes. Additionally, staying updated improves SEO performance, user experience, and compliance with current web standards and regulations.

However, understanding how to update safely is equally important. If something goes wrong during the update, don’t worry—you can always recover your site. Test new updates on a staging environment first to ensure compatibility and functionality with your existing setup. By following these best practices, you can keep your WordPress site secure, efficient, and fully functional, benefiting from all the enhancements each new WordPress version brings. Regular maintenance, including timely updates, is key to a robust and thriving online presence.

FAQs

What is the latest version of WordPress?

The latest version of WordPress as of the date of publishing is 6.6.1. 

How can I check my WordPress version?

You can check your WordPress version in a few simple ways:

1. WordPress dashboard: Log in to your WordPress admin area, and on the main dashboard or the footer, you will often see the version of WordPress you are currently using.

2. Using a plugin: Install a plugin like BlogVault that has a vulnerability scanner. It will show you what needs to be updated urgently. It checks regularly for plugin, theme, and WordPress core updates.