How To Upgrade To Debian 13 Trixie From Debian 12 Bookworm

Debian 13 “Trixie” is here—and if you’re running Debian 12 “Bookworm,” it’s time to consider upgrading. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to safely upgrade your system without losing your mind (or your data).

Disclaimer: This process is for intermediate users. Back up your data and test on a non-critical system first.

🔧 Step 1: Backup Everything

Before touching anything, back up your data. Use tools like:

• rsync or tar for personal files.
• timeshift for snapshots.
• Clone the whole disk with Clonezilla if you’re extra cautious.

🔍 Step 2: Update Your Current System

You need a clean, up-to-date Debian 12 system before upgrading.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt full-upgrade
sudo apt autoremove

Then reboot:

sudo reboot

📁 Step 3: Update Your APT Sources

Edit your APT source list:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Replace every instance of bookworm with trixie. You can use sed to do it faster:

sudo sed -i 's/bookworm/trixie/g' /etc/apt/sources.list

Also, check /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ for any third-party repos that may still point to Bookworm.

🔄 Step 4: Update Package Lists

Refresh the package index to point to Trixie:

sudo apt update

You may see warnings about unauthenticated packages if keys haven’t been updated yet. Don’t ignore them—investigate before continuing.

⚙️ Step 5: Perform the Upgrade

Now comes the core upgrade process.

Option 1: Minimal Upgrade First

sudo apt upgrade --without-new-pkgs

Then do the full upgrade:

sudo apt full-upgrade

Option 2: All-in-One (Riskier)

sudo apt full-upgrade

Either way, expect to spend time reviewing prompts, especially if you’ve modified config files.

🚀 Step 6: Reboot and Verify

sudo reboot

After rebooting, check your Debian version:

cat /etc/os-release

You should see:

PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 13 (trixie)"

🧹 Step 7: Clean Up

Once everything’s working:

sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt clean

Double-check your sources and consider re-enabling any third-party repos you disabled before upgrading.

🛠 Bonus Tips

• If you use NVIDIA or other proprietary drivers, reinstall them after the upgrade.
• Use apt-listbugs and apt-listchanges to catch known issues during upgrade.
• Check the official Debian Trixie Release Notes for any gotchas.

✅ Final Thoughts

Upgrading to Debian 13 is a straightforward process if you follow the steps carefully. The key is preparation—back up, update, double-check sources, and stay alert during the upgrade.

Got stuck? Drop your error message in the comments, and I’ll try to help.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!