Overview
WP Toolkit can automatically update WordPress core, plugins, and themes. Automatic updates reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities, but they must be combined with backups and website monitoring.
Open Automatic Update Settings
- Open WP Toolkit.
- Select the WordPress installation.
- Click Autoupdate settings or the corresponding update control.
- Configure the policies.
- Save the changes.
WordPress Core Updates
Depending on the available options, you may be able to select:
- No automatic updates
- Security and maintenance updates only
- All minor updates
- All updates, including major versions
Recommended Approach
Enable security and maintenance updates.
Test major WordPress releases before installing them on websites that use:
- Custom themes
- Custom plugins
- Page builders
- E-commerce systems
- Membership functions
- External integrations
Plugin and Theme Updates
Enable automatic updates only for components that are:
- Actively maintained
- Obtained from trusted sources
- Compatible with the current WordPress and PHP versions
- Covered by reliable backups
Be especially careful with:
- Custom plugins and themes
- Premium components requiring an active licence
- Abandoned components
- Plugins controlling payments, memberships, security, or caching
Smart Update
If available, Smart Update can test automatic updates against a temporary copy and report detected changes before production deployment.
It reduces risk but does not replace manual testing of critical functions.
Recommended Configuration
For a typical informational website:
- Enable WordPress security and maintenance updates.
- Consider automatic updates for trusted plugins and themes.
- Maintain regular backups.
- Review the website regularly.
For stores, membership systems, portals, or highly customized websites:
- Apply urgent security updates promptly.
- Test major updates on staging.
- Use a controlled maintenance window.
- Verify checkout, login, forms, and integrations afterward.
Important Limitations
Automatic updates do not:
- Guarantee compatibility.
- Replace backups.
- Verify every website function.
- Remove malware.
- Update abandoned components safely.
- Guarantee that an update can be rolled back.
