How to update UniFi Controller on Linux

Keeping your UniFi Controller up to date is crucial. Not only because you get to use the latest technologies, but also for security reasons. In a lot of UniFi Controller updates there are secruity patches.

In this guide I'll show you how to remain your UniFi Controller up-to-date on your Linux system with the latest features and security improvements.

How to Update UniFi Controller on Linux
Final Thoughts

How to Update UniFi Controller on Linux

The update process on a Linux system involves several steps, generally requiring command-line interaction. Below is a simplified overview of the steps you might take to update your UniFi Controller running on Linux.

Please note, specific commands may vary based on your Linux distribution and the version of your UniFi Controller.

Step 1: Backup Your UniFi Controller

Before making any updates, it's critical to back up your UniFi Controller settings to avoid potential data loss. You can do this from the UniFi Controller web UI under Settings > Backup.

Step 2: Update the UniFi Controller Software

Access your Linux server: Connect to your Linux server where the UniFi Controller is installed via SSH or directly through the terminal.
Stop the UniFi Controller service: To prevent any issues during the update, stop the UniFi Controller service using the command:
```
sudo systemctl stop UniFi
```
Update the UniFi Controller: If you installed the UniFi Controller using the official Ubiquiti repository, you could update it using your package manager. For Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, use the following commands:
```
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade UniFi
```

This will fetch the latest version of the UniFi Controller software available in the repository and apply the update.

Start the UniFi Controller: Once the update process completes, start the UniFi Controller service again with the command:
```
sudo systemctl start UniFi
```
Verify the update: Log into your UniFi Controller web UI to ensure it is running the latest version. You can usually find the version information in the bottom left corner of the dashboard or under Settings > Maintenance.

Step 3: Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during the update, review the UniFi Controller logs for any error messages. These logs can provide valuable insight into what might have gone wrong. You can find the logs in /var/log/UniFi.

Final Thoughts

Regularly updating your UniFi Controller is a must to get the latest network benefits from new features and security improvements. The process is relatively straightforward on Linux systems, but it can be a hassle to keep updating the with every new version coming out.

If you don't want the hassle of updating this yourself, you should check out a managed cloud controller. At UniHosted we provide UniFi Controllers thatar are always running the latest version, offering our customers peace of mind and the best possible network performance.

Especially for MSPs this is something you might want to look at. Feel free to give us a spin. Additionally if you want me to personally walk you through you can schedule a meeting us my link.