Does XMRig update itself automatically?

No. The official standalone version of XMRig does not download and install its own updates; you normally update it yourself. If you installed it through a mining app, a software manager, or a managed service, that separate tool may handle updates for you.

What happens when a new version comes out?

XMRig is mining software that uses your computer’s processor to help secure Monero and earn mining rewards. A standard XMRig installation keeps running the version you installed until you replace it.

A newer release does not automatically stop your existing miner or force an upgrade. Your current version may continue working, though it will not gain the fixes or improvements in later releases.

Do not confuse these routine changes with a software update:

• New mining jobs: Your mining pool, a service that combines miners’ work, regularly sends new work.
• Difficulty changes: The amount of work needed to find an acceptable result can change.
• Configuration changes: XMRig can reload certain settings when configured to do so.

None of those actions replaces the XMRig program with a newer version.

When updates might happen automatically

Whether your particular setup updates automatically depends on how you installed and run it.

• Downloaded program: If you downloaded XMRig and extracted it into a folder, you generally need to replace it manually.
• Software manager: Your operating system’s software manager may update XMRig if it provides that package and automatic updates are enabled.
• Mining app or management service: The app surrounding XMRig may download and replace the miner.
• Custom update script: You or your system administrator may have set up a scheduled task that installs newer releases.

These are updates performed by another tool, not XMRig updating itself. Check that tool’s settings and documentation before assuming your miner stays current. Some managed setups deliberately keep an older version until a newer release has been tested.

How to update your standalone installation safely

For a typical manual installation, you can follow this process:

1. Check your installed version. Look at XMRig’s startup output or run xmrig --version.
2. Read the release notes. These describe changes, fixes, and any compatibility requirements.
3. Back up your settings. Save your config.json file, startup scripts, and any command-line options you use.
4. Download the release from the official XMRig project. Choose the correct download for your operating system and processor.
5. Stop mining before replacing the program. Extract the new version into a separate folder so you can keep the old one as a fallback.
6. Restore your settings and restart. Confirm that the expected version appears and that your pool connection and mining results look normal.

Preserve your wallet address and pool settings rather than accidentally replacing them with sample values. Avoid running both copies unless you intentionally want them sharing your processor.

The bottom line

Official standalone XMRig does not update itself automatically. You need either a manual update process or a separate tool configured to manage updates.

Treat unexpected “XMRig update” prompts cautiously, especially if they arrive through advertisements or messages. Legitimate updates do not require your wallet’s recovery phrase—the secret words that give control of your funds. Check the official project periodically rather than trusting unsolicited downloads.