# Upgrade the Redpanda Operator

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/llms.txt). Component-specific: [streaming-full.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming-full.txt)

---
title: Upgrade the Redpanda Operator
latest-redpanda-tag: v25.2.1
latest-console-tag: v3.7.3
latest-operator-version: v26.1.4
# EOL = End-of-Life (support lifecycle status)
page-is-nearing-eol: "true"
page-is-past-eol: "false"
page-eol-date: July 31, 2026
latest-connect-version: 4.93.0
docname: k-upgrade-operator
page-component-name: streaming
page-version: "25.2"
page-component-version: "25.2"
page-component-title: Streaming
page-relative-src-path: k-upgrade-operator.adoc
page-edit-url: https://github.com/redpanda-data/docs/edit/v/25.2/modules/upgrade/pages/k-upgrade-operator.adoc
description: Upgrading the Redpanda Operator ensures your deployment benefits from the latest features, fixes, and improvements.
page-git-created-date: "2024-05-07"
page-git-modified-date: "2025-12-05"
support-status: nearing end-of-life
---

<!-- Source: https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/upgrade/k-upgrade-operator.md -->

Starting from version 25.1.1, the Redpanda Operator follows the same versioning scheme as Redpanda core releases. When you upgrade Redpanda, you typically also upgrade the Redpanda Operator to ensure compatibility.

For complete upgrade instructions, including how to upgrade both the Redpanda Operator and your Redpanda cluster, see [Upgrade Redpanda in Kubernetes](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/upgrade/k-rolling-upgrade/).

## [](#operator-only-upgrades)Operator-only upgrades

In some cases, you might need to upgrade only the Redpanda Operator without upgrading your Redpanda cluster. For example, you might need to apply a patch release that fixes an operator bug.

To upgrade only the operator:

1.  [Review the Redpanda Operator release notes](https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda-operator/releases) and [the Kubernetes compatibility matrix](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/upgrade/k-compatibility/).

2.  Back up your current Helm values:

    ```bash
    helm get values redpanda-controller --namespace <namespace> > redpanda-operator-values-backup.yaml
    ```

3.  Upgrade the Redpanda Operator:

    ```bash
    helm repo add redpanda https://charts.redpanda.com
    helm repo update
    helm upgrade redpanda-controller redpanda/operator \
      --namespace <namespace> \
      --version <operator-version> \
      --set crds.enabled=true
    ```

    Replace `<operator-version>` with the version of the Redpanda Operator you want to upgrade to.

    > ⚠️ **CAUTION**
    >
    > Make sure to include any custom overrides from your backup file to prevent a broken or partial deployment.

4.  Verify that the deployment is successfully rolled out:

    ```bash
    kubectl --namespace <namespace> rollout status --watch deployment/redpanda-controller-operator
    ```

    Expected output

    deployment "redpanda-controller-operator" successfully rolled out