APEX Patch
If the first or second digit of the version will change as a result of this upgrade (e.g. 4.1 to 4.2) then you need a full install of APEX. If only the third digit will change (e.g. 4.2.2 to 4.2.6) then you just need a patch...
export APXVER=21.2
This should match the version number in your download location path (e.g. for /u01/img/apex/18.1 APXVER is 18.1)Download the patch and copy to this directory and unzip it...
/u01/img/apex/${APXVER}/patch
For earlier versions...
To apply a Patch instead of running the full install...cd /u01/img/apex/${APXVER}/patch
sqlplus / as sysdba @apxpatch.sql
Review apxpatch.log for errorsFor more recent versions...
cd /u01/img/apex/${APXVER}/patch
export NLS_LANG=American_America.AL32UTF8
sqlplus / as sysdba @catpatch.sql
Where APEX is installed in the root (rather than a PDB) use: sqlplus / as sysdba @catpatch_con.sqlWhere APEX is installed in an application container use: sqlplus / as sysdba @catpatch_appcon.sql