How to Update GIMP to the Latest Version

GIMP does not have a built-in auto-update feature. When a new version comes out, you have to grab it yourself. The good news is it is a straightforward process, and your settings, brushes, and plugins carry over automatically in most cases.

Step 1 - Check What Version You Have

Open GIMP and go to Help - About GIMP. The dialog shows your exact version number. The latest stable version as of May 2026 is GIMP 3.2.4. If yours is older, an update is worth doing - New versions bring bug fixes, performance improvements, and sometimes new tools.

Updating on Windows

1. 1
   Go to the GIMP download page and download the latest Windows installer (.exe).
2. 2
   Close GIMP if it is open.
3. 3
   Run the installer. It detects the existing installation and upgrades it in place. You do not need to uninstall the old version first.
4. 4
   Open GIMP and confirm the version under Help - About GIMP.

Updating on Mac

1. 1
   Download the latest .dmg file from the download page. Make sure to pick the right version for your chip - Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) or Intel.
2. 2
   Open the .dmg, drag GIMP to your Applications folder. macOS will ask if you want to replace the existing version - Click Replace.
3. 3
   Open GIMP from Applications and verify the version.

Updating on Linux

On Linux the best way depends on how you installed GIMP: