OpenWrt 25.12: OPKG is Gone, APK Is Here!

OpenWrt 25.12 brings some important changes, including one of the biggest changes in recent OpenWrt releases: the move from OPKG to APK. In this video, I take a look at what's new in OpenWrt 25.12, what these changes mean in practice, and what you should check before upgrading your router. OpenWrt is replacing the traditional OPKG package manager with APK, which means package management commands and workflows are changing. If you use SSH, install packages from the terminal, or run your own scripts and automation on OpenWrt, this is something you need to understand. I also cover improvements to the upgrade process, including Attended Sysupgrade and owut, along with under-the-hood changes, new hardware support, and updated core components. More importantly, we'll look at the practical question: Should you upgrade your OpenWrt router to 25.12 now, or wait? ⏱️ Video Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: OpenWrt 25.12 00:54 - What's New in OpenWrt 25.12 01:32 - OPKG to APK: The New Package Manager 01:58 - OPKG vs APK Commands 05:20 - Upgrade Process Improvements: OpenWrt Attended Sysupgrade 07:29 - Under-the-Hood Changes 09:28 - Does Your Device Support OpenWrt 25.12? 12:19 - New Hardware Support 13:58 - Should You Upgrade to OpenWrt 25.12? 15:30 - Final Thoughts 🔑 Key Takeaways: OPKG to APK: OpenWrt 25.12 replaces the traditional OPKG package manager with APK. New Commands: APK uses different command-line arguments, so existing commands and scripts may need to be updated. Easier Upgrades: Attended Sysupgrade is now integrated by default. owut: A new and improved command-line tool for checking and managing OpenWrt upgrades. Better Package Preservation: Attended Sysupgrade can rebuild firmware images with your installed packages. New Hardware Support: OpenWrt 25.12 adds support for more devices and hardware platforms. Core Updates: Important core components, including the Linux kernel and networking packages, have been updated. Upgrade Carefully: Before upgrading, always check device compatibility and review the upgrade notes for your specific setup. 🔗 Useful Resources & Documentation: OpenWrt 25.12 Release Notes: https://openwrt.org/releases/25.12/notes-2... OpenWrt APK Package Manager: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/additi... Official OPKG to APK Cheat Sheet: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/additi... Attended Sysupgrade: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/instal... owut Documentation: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/instal... Firmware Selector: https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/ ⚠️ Important Note: Before upgrading your OpenWrt router, make sure your device is supported and always create a backup of your current configuration. The upgrade process can vary depending on your current OpenWrt version, device, installed packages, and custom configuration. If you're upgrading from an older OpenWrt release, make sure to check the official release notes and upgrade documentation before proceeding. Also, if you're upgrading from OpenWrt 23.05 or an earlier release, check the official documentation carefully because a direct sysupgrade to OpenWrt 25.12 is not officially supported. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🌐 About OpenWrt: OpenWrt is a Linux-based operating system for routers and embedded networking devices. It gives you more control over your network, including advanced routing, firewalling, VPNs, package management, and many other features. OpenWrt 25.12 introduces important changes to package management and the upgrade experience, making it an important release for both regular users and people who manage OpenWrt devices through the command line and automation. #OpenWrt #OpenWrt2512 #Networking #Linux #Router #OPKG #APK #Sysupgrade #OpenSource ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🔵 Telegram: https://t.me/ramtinzone 🟡 Instagram: https://instagram.com/ramtinzone 🔴 Support the channel: https://ramtin.zone