I'm Authentik 2025.2.4 and preparing the supported upgrade path to the latest stable. First step was to move to Postgresql 16. I just upgraded from Postgresql 12.5 to 16 successfully.

1. Backup the Postgresql 12.5 database

docker exec -it <Postgres12.5_container_name> pg_dump -U <user> -d authentik --no-owner --no-privileges > /mnt/cache/appdata/backups/authentik_db_fresh_backup.dump

2. Prepare the New PostgreSQL 16 Database

Ensure your new PostgreSQL 16 database is completely empty before restoring the new backup.

docker exec -it <Postgres16_container_name> psql -U <user> -d authentik -c "DROP SCHEMA public CASCADE; CREATE SCHEMA public; GRANT ALL ON SCHEMA public TO authentik;"

Bash

docker stop <authentik_core_container_name> <authentik_worker_container_name>
docker exec -it <Postgres12.5_container_name> psql -U user -d authentik -c "DROP SCHEMA public CASCADE; CREATE SCHEMA public; GRANT ALL ON SCHEMA public TO authentik;"

3. Restore the Backup to PostgreSQL 16

docker exec -i <Postgresql16_container_name> psql -U user -d authentik < /mnt/cache/appdata/authentik/backups/<authentik_db_backup_name>.dump

4. Edit the Authentik server Postgresql to new IP

 

5. Run the Authentik Database Migrations

docker exec -it authentik ak migrate

This command will update your restored database schema to be compatible with the new Authentik containers.

6. Start the Authentik Containers

You can now start both containers. The core and worker containers will run on a fully migrated and up-to-date database.

 

I wanted to give you a big thanks for this guide! It worked like a charm. Now to work up the courage to update the authentik container itself

Used this guide to upgrade from postgres 15 to 18 on authentik 2026.2.2. Worked like a charm, thank you so much!