upgrade or install

[KM]

I have Jira 6.3.10 running.

I want to upgrade it to latest version . I have only one environment. 

It is way older version, how should I proceed? Is it advisable to just install a new version but that way I will loose all my data. 

[Italo Qualisoni [e-Core]]

You should do this in an test environment first! If you don't have one, it should considered!

Search for the upgrade matrix, probably you will need an intermediary upgrade instead of going to latest version.

I would say something around:

6.3.10 -> 6.4.14 -> 7.0.11 -> 7.13.18 -> 8.5.x  -> 8.13.x 

See here why you need to go first to 7.0.11

https://confluence.atlassian.com/jirasoftware/jira-software-7-1-x-upgrade-notes-815266963.html

Also look for supported platform to check if your infrastructure is compatible with the new version (database, proxy, java ...) for all versions you will do the upgrade

https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver/supported-platforms-938846830.html

Check your addons (apps) compability with the new version and if they are licensed to the upgrade.

Also you should read the release notes.

https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver/upgrade-matrix-966063322.html

[Jim Fang]

Yes. it is better to try on test env firstly

But if not, do backup and prepare roll-back

[KM]

Thanks for responses!  I was able to upgrade till Jira 8.5.9.

[Jim Fang]

Take a snapshot of your current machine.

Do upgrade following atlassian guide

should be fine. I did upgrade before