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

# Upgrading MemoryBox

> How to move to the latest version of the app and extension without losing your data.

## The Preferred In-App Upgrade Path

Starting with Alpha 3, the easiest way to check for and install updates is directly within the desktop application interface.

As outlined in the [Desktop App Overview](/configuration/desktop-overview), clicking your user profile tray in the bottom-left corner and selecting **About MemoryBox** launches the platform's diagnostic integrity card. Clicking the **Check for updates** button on that modal automatically pings our secure distribution network. If a newer stable build is available, the system will prompt you to download and initialize the installation immediately.

***

## Manual "Safe-Swap" Upgrades

Because MemoryBox enforces a strict local-first architecture, your **Knowledge Base** (the SQLite database and vector search directories containing your memories) is stored completely separate from the execution binaries. This design ensures you can safely swap, overwrite, or reinstall the software files while leaving your saved data completely untouched.

<Info>
  **Pre-upgrade Requirement:** Always ensure the MemoryBox daemon and app windows are fully closed before initiating a manual update.
</Info>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS" icon="apple">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Quit MemoryBox">
        Ensure the application processes are terminated. Check your top system Menu Bar for the floating MemoryBox icon, click it, and select **Quit**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Remove Legacy Version">
        Navigate to your **Applications** directory and drag the old MemoryBox app icon into the **Trash**. *(Note: Your local library path containing your indexed knowledge base remains untouched).*
      </Step>

      <Step title="Install Target Build">
        Download the updated `.dmg` image file from your authorization link, mount it, and drag the fresh version directly into your **Applications** folder.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Initialize and Launch">
        Launch the new application build. MemoryBox will automatically detect your existing Personas, localized Memory Spaces, and historical chat assets on startup.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows" icon="microsoft">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Terminate Background Processes">
        Right-click the MemoryBox tray icon positioned near your system clock in the lower-right Taskbar and select **Exit**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Execute the Installer">
        Download the updated `.msi` package file and execute it. The Windows installer module will automatically detect your old application files, overwrite them with the fresh build configuration, and safeguard your local runtime cache directory.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Relaunch Application">
        Launch MemoryBox from your Windows Start Menu to initialize the updated software loop.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Google Chrome" icon="chrome">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Download the Bundle">
        Download the updated production extension directory bundle from your platform invitation access link and unpack the zip folder.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Overwrite Local Files">
        Locate your existing extension development folder on your computer and overwrite its contents with the newly extracted asset files.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Reload the Extension">
        Navigate your browser tab to `chrome://extensions` and click the circular **Refresh** icon on your pinned MemoryBox extension card to apply the update.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mozilla Firefox" icon="firefox">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open the Distribution Link">
        Open the updated extension distribution hyperlink provided in your invitation directly inside a Firefox browser tab.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Approve the Update">
        Firefox will automatically intercept the incoming network package and prompt you with a native browser overlay. Click **Update** to automatically refresh your active version.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>