# Understanding the RDS for PostgreSQL incremental release process
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RDS for PostgreSQL delivers security fixes, performance improvements, and new features through incremental releases while maintaining minor version compatibility. These releases are labeled as R1, R2, R3, and so on.

**Release version naming convention**
+ R1 is the initial release of a minor version. It occasionally includes new features, extensions, or upgrades to existing extensions.
+ Subsequent release versions (R2, R3, and later) include:
  + Security updates
  + Performance improvements
  + Bug fixes
  + Extension updates

## Advantages of RDS for PostgreSQL incremental release process
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The incremental release process provides the following advantages:
+ Quick adoption of new PostgreSQL community releases while separately managing RDS-specific enhancements through subsequent releases. This streamlines the release process and ensures faster delivery of critical updates.
+ Access to bug fixes, new features, security updates, and extension updates while maintaining compatibility with the PostgreSQL minor version. 

## Managing release updates
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Amazon RDS notifies you about new incremental releases through pending maintenance actions in the AWS Management Console. You can update your database using one of these methods:
+ Enable automatic updates during scheduled maintenance windows.
+ Apply updates manually through pending maintenance actions.
+ Use Blue/Green deployments with physical replication to minimize downtime. For more information, see [Blue/Green Deployments support minor version upgrade for RDS for PostgreSQL](https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/whats-new/2024/11/rds-blue-green-deployments-upgrade-rds-postgresql/).

Before updating your database, consider the following key points:
+ Database reboots are required for updates unless you use Blue/Green deployments with physical replication.
+ Some incremental releases are mandatory, particularly those that include security fixes.

For more information about updating your Amazon RDS DB instance instance, see [PostgreSQL trusted extensions](PostgreSQL.Concepts.General.FeatureSupport.Extensions.md#PostgreSQL.Concepts.General.Extensions.Trusted) and [apply-pending-maintenance-action](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/rds/apply-pending-maintenance-action.html).