How to Install / Upgrade: Django 6.1 released

Django 6.1 is out. The Django Weblog says the release notes mix new features and usability improvements. Highlights include model field fetch modes for on-demand fetching behavior, database-level delete options for ForeignKey.on_delete, and dictionary-based email settings.

To install or upgrade, install Django 6.1 with your package manager. For pip, run: pip install "Django==6.1". If you use a requirements file, set Django to 6.1, reinstall, and restart your app processes so they load the new package.

Before you rely on the new APIs, confirm the installed version reports 6.1 and read the release notes for fetch modes, ForeignKey.on_delete, and dictionary-based email settings so you configure them correctly. After upgrade, smoke-test model loads, foreign-key deletes, and email sending so those three areas still behave as you expect.