diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8c020ae..87c7a89 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ Either you define exactly which release you install. Or you use the option ``lat
 ### gitea update
 | variable name | default value | description |
 | ------------- | ------------- | ----------- |
-| `gitea_version` | **WILL CHANGE SOON** | Define either the exact release to install or use ``latest`` to install the latest release. |
+| `gitea_version` | `latest` | Define either the exact release to install *(eg. `1.16.0`)* or use ``latest`` *(default)* to install the latest release. |
 | `gitea_version_check` | `true` | Check if installed version != `gitea_version` before initiating binary download |
 | `gitea_gpg_key` | `7C9E68152594688862D62AF62D9AE806EC1592E2` | the gpg key the gitea binary is signed with |
 | `gitea_gpg_server` | `hkps://keys.openpgp.org` | A gpg key server where this role can download the gpg key |
diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index b1ceede..fddfa3e 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 # gitea version
 # Use 'latest' to auto-update; upgrading past role version may lead to errors.
-gitea_version: '1.16.0'
+gitea_version: 'latest'
 gitea_version_check: true
 gitea_gpg_key: '7C9E68152594688862D62AF62D9AE806EC1592E2'
 gitea_gpg_server: 'hkps://keys.openpgp.org'
diff --git a/vars/main.yml b/vars/main.yml
index 381e588..13d2e31 100644
--- a/vars/main.yml
+++ b/vars/main.yml
@@ -56,5 +56,5 @@ transfer_custom_footer:
     - 'files/gitea_footer/extra_links_footer.tmpl'
     - 'files/extra_links_footer.tmpl'
 
-playbook_version_number: 35  # should be int
+playbook_version_number: 36  # should be int
 playbook_version_path: 'do1jlr.gitea.version'