Gaming industry under DDoS attack. Get DDoS protection now. Start onboarding
  1. Home
  2. Developers
  3. How to Upgrade from Debian 11 to Debian 12

How to Upgrade from Debian 11 to Debian 12

  • By Gcore
  • October 16, 2023
  • 2 min read
How to Upgrade from Debian 11 to Debian 12

Embrace the enhanced features and improved functionality of Debian 12 as we guide you through a seamless upgrade from Debian 11. Navigating through a system upgrade can often bring forth a myriad of questions and possible challenges. However, our comprehensive guide aims to demystify the upgrade process, ensuring you experience minimal downtime and a hassle-free transition. Whether managing a server or maintaining a personal system, our step-by-step walkthrough will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to upgrade your Debian system efficiently and effectively, ensuring you harness the utmost potential from your upgraded operating system.

Process to Upgrade from Debian 11 to Debian 12

Follow this detailed procedure to seamlessly upgrade your system from Debian 11 to the latest Debian 12 version. See the steps below:

#1 Backup Your System

Always ensure to have a complete backup to prevent data loss.

#2 Update & Upgrade Current System

Ensure your Debian 11 is fully updated.

sudo apt update

Upgrade the system:

sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt full-upgrade

#3 Update the Repository Information

Update the repository to point to Debian 12.

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Example Change (modify all entries similarly):

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bullseye main

to:

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ [NEW_RELEASE_NAME] main

#4 System Upgrade

Update package database:

sudo apt update

Upgrade packages:

sudo apt upgrade

Full upgrade:

sudo apt full-upgrade

#5 Cleanup and Reboot

Remove unneeded packages:

sudo apt autoremove

Reboot:

sudo reboot

#6 Verify the Upgrade

lsb_release -a

Expected Output:

Distributor ID: DebianDescription:    Debian GNU/Linux [NEW_RELEASE_NAME]Release:        12Codename:       [NEW_RELEASE_NAME]

Important Notes

  • Always refer to the official Debian documentation for major updates.
  • Validate application and system functionality post-upgrade.
  • Ensure drivers and custom configurations are compatible with the new release.

That’s it! Congratulations on upgrading your Debian 11 to Debian 12. Once Debian 12 is released, the exact procedures, codenames, and potential nuances will be detailed in the official release notes. Always ensure you refer to the most up-to-date and official sources when performing a system upgrade.

Conclusion

Want to run Debian on a virtual machine? With Gcore Cloud, you can choose from Basic VM, Virtual Instances, VPS/VDS, or Bare Metal servers suitable for Debian:

  • Gcore Basic VM offers shared virtual machines from €3.2 per month
  • Virtual Instances are virtual machines with a variety of configurations and an application marketplace
  • Virtual Dedicated Servers provide outstanding speed of 200+ Mbps in 20+ global locations
  • Bare Metal offers the ultimate in server power and performance with an entire server dedicated to your needs alone

Choose an instance

Related articles

What's the difference between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud?

Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud represent two distinct approaches to distributed computing architecture that build upon the foundation of cloud computing to help organizations improve their IT infrastructure.Multi-cloud environments involve us

What is multi-cloud? Strategy, benefits, and best practices

Multi-cloud is a cloud usage model where an organization utilizes public cloud services from two or more cloud service providers, often combining public, private, and hybrid clouds, as well as different service models, such as Infrastructur

What is cloud migration? Benefits, strategy, and best practices

Cloud migration is the process of transferring digital assets, such as data, applications, and IT resources, from on-premises data centers to cloud platforms, including public, private, hybrid, or multi-cloud environments. Organizations can

What is a private cloud? Benefits, use cases, and implementation

A private cloud is a cloud computing environment dedicated exclusively to a single organization, providing a single-tenant infrastructure that improves security, control, and customization compared to public clouds.Private cloud environment

What is a cloud GPU? Definition, types, and benefits

A cloud GPU is a remotely rented graphics processing unit hosted in a cloud provider's data center, accessible over the internet via APIs or virtual machines. These virtualized resources allow users to access powerful computing capabilities

What is cloud networking: benefits, components, and implementation strategies

Cloud networking is the use and management of network resources, including hardware and software, hosted on public or private cloud infrastructures rather than on-premises equipment. Over 90% of enterprises are expected to adopt cloud netwo

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest industry trends, exclusive insights, and Gcore updates delivered straight to your inbox.