How to update all npm packages to latest version

In this tutorial, we are going to learn about how to update all npm packages in package.json file to its latest available version.

If we install a new package using npm install package-name command npm will download the latest version inside node_modules folders and adds it to package.json file.

Example:

npm install react-icons

package.json file looks like this.

"dependencies": {
   "react-icons": "^3.9.0"
}

Now, if we update a package using npm update command npm will only update the minor and patch versions because of versioning rules it adds to package.json file like ^3.9.0.

Updating all packages

To update all packages to its latest (major) version, we need to install a new global package called npm-check-updates.

npm install -g npm-check-updates

Note: if you are using a mac, add sudo before npm command.

Now, run this command.

ncu -u

This command will update your package.json file dependencies to the latest version.

At final, run this command to update the packages.

npm install