How to Safely Upgrade Openfire to the Latest Version on Ubuntu

Last Updated on 2 months by Sachin G

Upgrading your Openfire chat server is a necessary step to stay secure and benefit from the latest improvements. But let’s be honest — it can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re running a production system.

This article provides how to upgrade Openfire on an Ubuntu instant messaging server to its latest version on Ubuntu, ensuring improved features and security.

Note on Screenshots

You’ll notice that the screenshots in this article are from an older version of Openfire. While the UI and version numbers may differ slightly, the upgrade steps and terminal commands are up-to-date for Ubuntu 22.04 and above.

Step-by-Step Openfire Upgrade Guide (Ubuntu 22.04)

Step 1: Openfire Backup Before Upgrade

This part cannot be skipped. You must back up the following:

• Openfire installation directory (usually /opt/openfire)
• Configuration files (openfire.xml, SSL certs, etc.)
• Embedded database or external database dumps

sudo systemctl stop openfire
sudo cp -r /opt/openfire /opt/openfire_backup

Step 2: Download the Latest Openfire .deb

Here are some steps that I have done on my Ubuntu Server.

(1) First, check the installed Openfire version on your server through Ubuntu Command and Graphical, you can check through the login.

 dpkg --get-selections | grep openfire

openfire                                        install

(2) Now you’ll need to download. Using your browser on your own PC, visit the download section on the website. Visit the official Openfire download page and grab the latest .deb package for Debian/Ubuntu.

wget https://www.igniterealtime.org/downloadServlet?filename=openfire/openfire_4_7_5_all.deb -O openfire_latest.deb

Replace version numbers based on what’s current.

Step 3: Install the Latest Openfire Version

sudo dpkg -i openfire_latest.deb

This will overwrite existing binaries but preserve your configuration and data, as long as your backup is safe.

If you see any dependency errors:

sudo apt install -f

Step 4: Restart and Verify

sudo systemctl start openfire
sudo systemctl status openfire

Navigate to http://your-server-ip:9090 and log into the admin panel. Your settings and chat history should remain intact.

Safe Method to Upgrade Openfire on Linux

For extra caution, consider:

• Using a test server for dry-run upgrades
• Snapshotting your VM or container
• Saving logs (/var/log/openfire) before the upgrade

This method is a secure Openfire upgrade that balances safety with speed.

Below is some old screenshots of old version upgrade after upgrade.

Go to Security Settings and make the checkmark at “Accept self-signed certificates. Server dialback over TLS is now available.”

 FAQs – Openfire Upgrade on Ubuntu

Sachin G

I’m Sachin Gupta — a freelance IT support specialist and founder of techtransit.org. I’m certified in Linux, Ansible, OpenShift (Red Hat), cPanel, and ITIL, with over 15 years of hands-on experience. I create beginner-friendly Linux tutorials, help with Ansible automation, and offer IT support on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour. Follow Tech Transit for practical tips, hosting guides, and real-world Linux expertise!

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