From 5dcc24d01dcf56dcf17c8d04aae53655c71faccf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Holzinger Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:44:55 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] update boltdb migrating warning Mention the reboot which should be safer and that in order for the command the user has to ensure they are no parallel commands. Signed-off-by: Paul Holzinger --- libpod/runtime.go | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/libpod/runtime.go b/libpod/runtime.go index e314415025..178a6c2cec 100644 --- a/libpod/runtime.go +++ b/libpod/runtime.go @@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ func makeRuntime(ctx context.Context, runtime *Runtime) (retErr error) { } else if os.Getenv("SUPPRESS_BOLTDB_WARNING") == "" && os.Getenv("CI_DESIRED_DATABASE") != "boltdb" { // Only warn about the database if we're not refreshing the state. // Refresh will attempt an automatic migration. - logrus.Warnf("The deprecated BoltDB database driver is in use. This driver will be removed in the upcoming Podman 6.0 release in mid 2026. It is advised that you migrate to SQLite to avoid issues when this occurs using the `podman system migrate --migrate-db` command. Set SUPPRESS_BOLTDB_WARNING environment variable to remove this message.") + logrus.Warnf("The deprecated BoltDB database driver is in use. This driver will be removed in the upcoming Podman 6.0 release in mid 2026. It is advised that you migrate to SQLite to avoid issues when this occurs by rebooting and running podman again or using the `podman system migrate --migrate-db` command. IMPORTANT, only use that command when you can ensure they will be no parallel podman processes running, if you are unsure do the reboot. Set SUPPRESS_BOLTDB_WARNING environment variable to remove this message.") } } From cf0019e3ed63632fa733dc06d0a2ea70e4c4ea8f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Holzinger Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:48:55 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] docs: make the --migrate-db more clear Recommend the reboot option instead if users cannot shut down all podman commands. Also update the wording that users MUST shut down commands for correct migration. Signed-off-by: Paul Holzinger --- docs/source/markdown/podman-system-migrate.1.md | 6 ++++-- 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/source/markdown/podman-system-migrate.1.md b/docs/source/markdown/podman-system-migrate.1.md index 96d5202f53..213bb7219b 100644 --- a/docs/source/markdown/podman-system-migrate.1.md +++ b/docs/source/markdown/podman-system-migrate.1.md @@ -31,9 +31,11 @@ newly configured mappings. Migrate from the legacy BoltDB database to SQLite. Support for BoltDB will be removed in Podman 6.0. Podman will display a warning if this migration is necessary. -To ensure complete migration, all other Podman commands should be shut down before database migration. +To ensure complete migration, all other Podman commands must be shut down before database migration. In particular, systemd-activated services like **podman system service** and Quadlets should be manually stopped prior to migration. -The legacy database will not be removed, so no data loss should occur even on failure. +If you are unsure please reboot instead and run any podman command afterwards which will trigger the migration +automatically as we can ensure there that no other parallel commands can interfere with the database. +The legacy database will not be removed, just renamed, so no permanent data loss should occur even on failure. #### **--new-runtime**=*runtime*