---
name: "geoipupdate"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "geoipupdate"
version: "8.0.0-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/geoipupdate"
---

# geoipupdate(1)

GeoIP and GeoLite Update Program

## NAME

geoipupdate - GeoIP and GeoLite Update Program

## SYNOPSIS

**geoipupdate** \[-Vvh\] \[-f *CONFIG\_FILE*\] \[-d *TARGET\_DIRECTORY*\]

## DESCRIPTION

`geoipupdate` automatically updates GeoIP and GeoLite databases. The program connects to the MaxMind GeoIP Update server to check for new databases. If a new database is available, the program will download and install it.

If you are using a firewall, you must have the DNS and HTTPS ports open.

## OPTIONS

- `-d`, `--database-directory`

  Install databases to a custom directory. This is optional. If provided, it overrides the `DatabaseDirectory` value from the configuration file and the `GEOIPUPDATE_DB_DIR` environment variable.

- `-f`, `--config-file`

  The configuration file to use. See `GeoIP.conf` and its documentation for more information. This is optional. It defaults to the environment variable `GEOIPUPDATE_CONF_FILE` if it is set, or /etc/GeoIP.conf otherwise.

- `--parallelism`

  Set the number of parallel database downloads.

- `-h`, `--help`

  Display help and exit.

- `-V`, `--version`

  Display version information and exit.

- `-v`, `--verbose`

  Enable verbose mode. Prints out the steps that `geoipupdate` takes. If provided, it overrides any `GEOIPUPDATE_VERBOSE` environment variable.

- `-o`, `--output`

  Output download/update results in JSON format.

## EXIT STATUS

`geoipupdate` returns 0 on success and 1 on error.

## NOTES

Typically you should run `geoipupdate` at least twice a week. Consult our database release schedule ⟨https://support.maxmind.com/knowledge-base/articles/download-and-update-maxmind-databases⟩\\c  for more information.

On most Unix-like systems, this can be achieved by using cron. You can find an example crontab file on our Developer Portal ⟨https://dev.maxmind.com/geoip/updating-databases/#3-run-geoip-update⟩\\c .

To use with a proxy server, update your `GeoIP.conf` file as specified in the `GeoIP.conf` man page. Alternatively, set the `GEOIPUPDATE_PROXY` or `http_proxy` environment variable.

## BUGS

Report bugs to ⟨support@maxmind.com⟩\\c .

## AUTHORS

Written by William Storey.

This software is Copyright (c) 2018-2026 by MaxMind, Inc.

This is free software, licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 or the MIT License, at your option.

## MORE INFORMATION

Visit our website ⟨https://www.maxmind.com/en/solutions/ip-geolocation-databases-api-services⟩\\c  to learn more about the GeoIP databases or to sign up for a subscription.

## SEE ALSO

[`GeoIP.conf`(5)](/GeoIP.conf/5.md)