Update Git on Windows, macOS, or Linux: All Methods Explained

Running an outdated version of Git doesn’t just mean missing out on new features; it can also expose you to security vulnerabilities and lingering bugs that have already been fixed.

If you are getting started with Git, I recommend taking our Introduction to Git course to make sure you already have Git installed and are comfortable using the command line for basic operations.

Checking Your Current Git Version

Before updating, it’s important to know which version of Git you’re currently using. Start by opening your terminal (or Command Prompt on Windows) and run:

git --version

You will see an output that tells you the exact version installed on your system.

To check if your version is old, compare your version with the latest release listed on the official Git downloads page.

As I had stated earlier, updating Git is important as it includes critical security patches, performance improvements, bug fixes, and new features that can improve your workflow and prevent potential issues down the line.

I recommend trying out our GitHub Foundations and Git Fundamentals skill tracks to learn version control with Git from basics to advanced workflows, including tracking changes, managing repositories, and collaborating efficiently. 

Updating Git on Windows

If you're using Git on Windows, the easiest way to update is through the built-in updater.

Use the built-in update command

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run:

git update-git-for-windows

This command automatically downloads and installs the latest version, making it the quickest option.

Manual fallback

If the update command doesn’t work, for example, in older installations (pre-2.17), you can update manually using the following steps:

• Go to https://gitforwindows.org 
• Download the latest installer
• Run it and follow the setup steps. This method will safely upgrade your existing installation.

 If you check your Git version now using git --version, it should show if it’s up to date

Updating Git on macOS

If you’re working on a Mac, you likely have Git installed either through Apple’s Xcode Command Line Tools or a third-party manager. There are two main ways to update Git on macOS, depending on how it was installed.

Using Homebrew

If you installed Git via Homebrew, updating is straightforward. Open your terminal and run:

brew update && brew upgrade git

This command refreshes Homebrew’s package list and upgrades Git to the latest available version.

After the process finishes, restart your Terminal window. This ensures your shell session initializes the new binary path rather than sticking to the cached version.

Updating without Homebrew

If you didn’t use Homebrew, you can update Git manually by following these steps:

• Visit the official Git downloads page: https://git-scm.com/downloads 
• Download the latest macOS installer
• Run the installer and follow the prompts to upgrade your existing version

Regardless of which method you chose, verify the success of the update by running:

git --version

Updating Git on Linux

Updating Git on Linux depends on your distribution and package manager. Here are the most common options:

Ubuntu or Debian

On systems like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Kali, you will use the apt package manager. Run the following to refresh your package list and upgrade Git to the latest version available in your repositories.

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade git

Fedora

Fedora uses the dnf package manager, which handles dependencies efficiently. To update, simply run:

sudo dnf upgrade git

CentOS/RHEL

For older versions of CentOS or Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), you will use the yum package manager to update Git.

sudo yum update git

After updating, confirm the installed version using git --version. If the version number reflects a newer release, your update was successful.

Conclusion

Keeping Git up to date is simple and takes just a single command on most systems. Whether you're on Windows, macOS, or Linux, the update process is quick—and well worth it for the added security, stability, and new features. By making updates a regular habit, you ensure your development environment stays reliable and efficient.

To build stronger Git skills, I recommend taking our Intermediate Git course to learn how to work with Git for large projects and handle complex version control scenarios and issues in data pipeline development and collaborative projects.