> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://elephas.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Update Elephas to the Latest Version

> Elephas checks for updates on its own and installs a verified update only when you click. How to check manually, what Restart now does, and fixes.

Elephas checks for a new version on its own and tells you with a bar at the top of the window. Click **Install**, then **Restart now**, and you are up to date. Your Brains, documents, chats and settings stay exactly as they were.

## Before you start

* You need an internet connection to check for and download updates.
* Updates work in the installed app. On Mac, Elephas should be in your Applications folder. See [Install on Mac](/docs/getting-started/install-elephas-on-mac) or [Install on Windows](/docs/getting-started/install-elephas-on-windows).
* Elephas never installs an update or restarts without your click.

## Steps

### When Elephas tells you

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Install">
    A bar appears above your content: "Elephas" and the new version number, then "is available." A short note may say what changed. Choose:

    * **Install** to download it now.
    * **Later** to hide the bar until you next open Elephas.
    * **Skip this version** to ignore this version. You are told again when a newer one comes out.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the download">
    The bar shows **Downloading update…** with a percentage and size. You can keep working. **Cancel** stops the download; clicking **Install** later picks up where it stopped.

    Elephas then shows **Verifying update…** while it checks the download.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Restart now">
    The bar says "Update" and the version number, then "is ready. Restart Elephas to finish." Click **Restart now** when it suits you. Elephas shows **Installing update…**, closes, and opens again on the new version.

    Choose **Later** to keep working. The verified update waits and is still ready the next time you open Elephas.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Check for updates yourself

1. On Mac, choose **Elephas › Settings…** or press **⌘,**. On Windows, choose **File › Settings…** or press **Ctrl+,**.
2. Choose **Updates**. It shows your current version, for example "Elephas 1.0.0".
3. Click **Check for updates**. You see **You're up to date.**, or the new version and the same Install steps as above.

## How it works

* **Automatic checks.** Elephas checks a few seconds after it opens and then every few hours while it runs. If you are offline, nothing appears and Elephas works as usual.
* **Verified before install.** Every update is checked three ways before it can install: the release list is signed by Elephas, the download must match its published checksum, and and the new app must carry Elephas's own code signature (checked with Apple's Gatekeeper on Mac and Authenticode on Windows). If any check fails, Elephas discards the download and says: "This update could not be verified and was discarded."
* **Never older.** Elephas only installs a version newer than the one you have.
* **Your data is not touched.** Your library lives in its own data folder, separate from the app. An update replaces the program only. See [Where your data is stored](/docs/privacy-and-security/where-your-data-is-stored).
* **No administrator prompt on Windows.** Elephas installs for your Windows user account, so updates install without one.
* **After an update.** Elephas may refresh how your documents are stored, or read scanned pages again, in the background. Your documents stay searchable meanwhile.
* **Keep every computer current.** If you use [Personal Sync](/docs/sync-and-devices/personal-sync-overview), computers on very different versions may not sync until you update the older one.

See what changed in each version in the [release notes](/docs/resources/release-notes).

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Couldn't check for updates">
    Elephas could not reach the update server. Check your connection, then click **Check for updates** again in **Settings › Updates**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Not enough disk space to download the update">
    Free up space on your startup disk, then click **Try again**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Couldn't install the update. Your current version keeps working.">
    On Mac, this usually means Elephas could not replace itself, for example because it is not in your Applications folder or your account cannot write there. Move Elephas to Applications and try again. You can always download the latest version from [elephas.app](https://elephas.app) and install it over your current one; your data stays. See [Elephas won't start](/docs/troubleshooting/elephas-wont-start) if the app does not reopen.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Updates are available in the installed app">
    You are running a copy of Elephas that cannot update itself. Install Elephas normally from [elephas.app](https://elephas.app).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sync says another device runs a newer Elephas">
    "Another of your devices runs a newer Elephas. Update this one to sync with it." Update this computer with the steps above.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Release notes" href="/docs/resources/release-notes" />

  <Card title="System requirements" href="/docs/getting-started/system-requirements" />

  <Card title="Uninstall Elephas" href="/docs/getting-started/uninstall-elephas" />

  <Card title="Elephas won't start" href="/docs/troubleshooting/elephas-wont-start" />
</CardGroup>


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