Naroum Update Merge
Update a plugin you customized without losing your changes. Keep your code, apply the update, and choose block by block where they conflict.
Solid choice
Naroum Update Merge is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. Was last updated 2 weeks ago, and scores 64/100 on our health check.
- Actively developed — last update 2 weeks ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (<10 active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Naroum Update Merge stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| customization | >100 |
| developer | >100 |
| diff | #67 |
| merge | >100 |
| update | >100 |
About Naroum Update Merge
From the official readme · v1.0.0Description
Editing a third-party plugin is sometimes the only way to get what a client needs. The problem comes with the next update: installing it overwrites your changes, and skipping it leaves security fixes behind.
Naroum Update Merge solves this with a three-way merge, the same approach version control tools use. It compares:
- the original version your changes were made on,
- your customized version, currently installed,
- the new version of the plugin.
Because it knows the original, it can tell what you changed from what the update changed:
- Files and lines changed only by you are kept automatically.
- Files and lines changed only by the update are applied automatically.
- Changes on both sides in different places are merged line by line.
- Only real conflicts, where both sides changed the same lines, are shown to you.
For each conflict you choose which code to keep: my version, the new version, both (in either order), or the original version. The tool only combines code that already exists in these versions; it does not let you type code. To adjust the result by hand, download the merged ZIP, edit it, and install it with Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
Safe installation
- ZIP backup of the installed plugin before anything is replaced, downloadable from the tool.
- PHP syntax check of every file that comes from your version or from a merge. Installation is blocked on error.
- Installation is blocked if the plugin changed on the server since the analysis.
- The plugin folder is swapped with two renames on the same disk, with automatic rollback if the second one fails.
- The new release is saved as the reference for your next update, so you only need to provide the original version once.
- Prefer to install manually? Download the merged plugin as a ZIP instead.
Sources
- Original version: downloaded from WordPress.org (matching the installed version number), uploaded as a ZIP, or the reference saved by the previous merge.
- New version: latest release from WordPress.org, or uploaded as a ZIP (premium plugins, specific versions).
- No original version available? A two-way comparison lets you choose every difference, with a bulk action for the files you did not touch.
Who is it for?
Agencies and developers who maintain client sites with customized plugins and want a reviewable, reversible update process instead of redoing their changes by hand.
The tool is available under Plugins > Update Merge, to users who can install and update plugins. It is unavailable when DISALLOW_FILE_MODS is set. On multisite, it is in the network admin.
External services
This plugin connects to WordPress.org only when you choose a WordPress.org source in the analysis form. Nothing is sent automatically or in the background.
api.wordpress.org(Plugins API) is queried with the plugin slug to find the download link of the latest release.downloads.wordpress.orgis used to download the latest release, or the original release matching the installed version number.
No personal data is sent. Only the plugin slug and version number are part of the requests. WordPress.org Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Installation
- Install and activate the plugin through the Plugins screen, or upload the
naroum-update-mergefolder to/wp-content/plugins/. On multisite, network activate it. - Go to Plugins > Update Merge.
- Select the customized plugin, the source of the original version and the source of the new version, then click Analyze.
- Review the files to resolve, choose your blocks, then download the merged ZIP or install it on the site.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the working files stored?
In wp-content/uploads/naroum-update-merge/: ongoing analyses (deleted after 3 days), backups and saved references. The folder is protected with an .htaccess file and random folder names. On Nginx, add a rule denying access to this path. Everything is removed when you delete the plugin.
What if my host requires FTP credentials to install plugins?
Direct installation is disabled in that case. Download the merged ZIP and install it from Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
How do I restore a backup?
Download it from the Backups section of the tool, then upload it from Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin and choose to replace the current version.
Does it handle single-file plugins?
No. Only plugins installed in their own folder are supported.
My changes were overwritten by an automatic update.
Disable automatic updates for customized plugins on the Plugins screen. After each installation, the tool reminds you to check this setting.
Can I limit the archive size?
Yes, with the naroum_um_max_unzipped_bytes filter (500 MB by default).
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Naroum Update Merge alternatives
All customization plugins →
FAQ
Naroum Update Merge: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 15, 2026
Is Naroum Update Merge free?
Yes. Naroum Update Merge is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Naroum Update Merge safe to use in 2026?
Naroum Update Merge is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. Was last updated 2 weeks ago, and scores 64/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Naroum Update Merge?
Naroum Update Merge is active on <10 WordPress websites and has been downloaded 118 times since it launched in September 2026. It was downloaded 121 times in the last 30 days.
Does Naroum Update Merge work with WordPress 7.1?
Yes. The developer has tested Naroum Update Merge up to WordPress 7.1.3, the latest release. It requires WordPress 5.5 or newer.
What PHP version does Naroum Update Merge need?
Naroum Update Merge requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Naroum Update Merge last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.0, was released on September 30, 2026 (2 weeks ago).
Who makes Naroum Update Merge?
Naroum Update Merge is developed and maintained by maximebakernsn.
What are the best alternatives to Naroum Update Merge?
The most popular alternatives to Naroum Update Merge are Adminimize (100K+ installs), Favicon Rotator (20K+ installs) and Custom Login (10K+ installs).
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