To upgrade, perform the following steps:
Ensure that your server meets the requirements for running phpBB 3.3: Section 1.1, “Requirements”
Make a backup of the original files
Make a backup of the database
Deactivate all styles except for prosilver
Deactivate any extensions which are not compatible with phpBB 3.3. Check with the extension author to find out if an extension is compatible or not.
Set British English as the only language pack
Download the phpBB 3.3 Full Package archive
Extract the contents of the archive to your computer and open the phpBB3 directory
Delete the following files from the package:
The config.php file
The images/ directory
The files/ directory
The store/ directory
On your website, delete all files from your board EXCEPT for:
The config.php file
The ext/ directory
The images/ directory
The files/ directory
The store/ directory
Upload the contents of the phpBB3 directory from your computer to your forum's directory. You may be prompted to overwrite the remaining files. If prompted to merge or overwrite directories, choose to merge them.
Update the database:
Tip
For large boards, you may wish to update via the command line instead of using a web browser. From your board's root, execute the following command: php ./bin/phpbbcli.php db:migrate --safe-mode
Using your web browser, visit install/ in your board's root. (e.g.
http://www.example.com/yourforum/install)
Click the Update tab
Click the Update button
Select "Update database only" and click Submit
Wait for the progress bar to reach 100% and for a message indicating that the update has completed
Delete the install/ directory
Note
Ensure that the root level .htaccess file is included in the upload. Some FTP clients do not show files whose names start with a period and you may need to enable the display of hidden files.