Updating Drupal Core to 10.2.0: A Step-by-Step Guide

Update: This guide works for Drupal 10.2.2 as well.

Drupal recently released version 10.2.0 (a minor release). Many users using Drush, however, have faced challenges upgrading to this new version, primarily due to a requirement to upgrade Drush to version 12.4.3. This necessary step has proven to be a stumbling block for several users, as many issues have been raised on various Drupal online communities.

This guide is designed to provide clear, straightforward steps to navigate these challenges and successfully update to Drupal Core version 10.2.0, ensuring your website stays up-to-date and secure.

Preparation: Back Up Your Website

Before embarking on any update, it's essential to back up your website's database and codebase. This precautionary measure, strongly recommended by Drupal, ensures that you can restore your website to its original state should anything go awry during the update process.

Step 1: Verify and Update Drush

Drush plays a pivotal role in Drupal updates. If you're using Drush, note that for Drupal 10.2.0, your Drush version must be 12.4.3 or higher or your Drupal update may experience issues. To check your current Drush version, run the following command in your terminal:

drush --version

If your version is lower than 12.4.3, you need to upgrade Drush. You can do this by executing the following command:

composer require 'drush/drush:^12.4.3' --no-update

This command instructs Composer, the dependency manager for PHP, to update Drush to the specified version without altering other dependencies.

Step 2: Run the Drupal Update

With Drush updated, you're ready to update Drupal Core. Use the following command:

composer update "drupal/core-*" drush/drush --with-all-dependencies

This command tells Composer to update all Drupal Core packages and Drush, ensuring all dependencies are also updated. This step is crucial for maintaining compatibility and preventing potential conflicts between different parts of your Drupal installation.

Troubleshooting and Support

Despite following these steps, you might encounter issues. If this happens, don't hesitate to reach out to Drupal Support or reach out to other online Drupal communities. Drupal has active and supportive community members who offer help and advice for various issues.