Coding⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: How to update the _id of one MongoDB Document?

Update MongoDB _id field with a new ObjectId value.

Quick Answer: $set: { _id: ObjectId('newObjectId') }

To update the _id of a single MongoDB document, you can use the `$set` operator with the `upsert` option or the `updateMany` method. However, since the `_id` field is immutable, these methods won't work directly.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • Updating an immutable field in MongoDB directly is not allowed.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Method 1: Using the `$set` Operator with Upsert Option

  1. Step 1: Replace the `_id` field in the document using the `findAndModify` method or the `updateOne` method.

Method 2: Using the UpdateMany Method

  1. Step 1: Create a new field in the document, such as `_temp_id`, and update it with the desired value.

✨ Wrapping Up

To wrap up, updating an immutable field in MongoDB requires creative problem-solving. By using the `$set` operator with the `upsert` option or the updateMany method, you can achieve your goal while working within the constraints of the MongoDB database.

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