Apache Kafka® versioning policy
Warning
Apache Kafka® versioning policy applies starting from version 3.4.
Apache Kafka® releases new versions three times a year according to the official documentation.
Each version in the Yandex Cloud infrastructure has lifecycle stages assigned depending on its open-source release date. If the Apache Kafka® version used in a Managed Service for Apache Kafka® cluster becomes obsolete, it gets updated.
Updating to current versions allows you to get new features, patches, and security fixes, which improves the overall stability of the cluster.
Version lifecycle stages
Each version has the following key stages:
| Version state | Description | Status transition date (starting from the open-source release date) |
|---|---|---|
| Supported versions | ||
| Availability in Managed Service for Apache Kafka® | You can use this version to create and manage new clusters. | 0 months |
| Unavailability for new clusters | You cannot use this version to create new clusters, but the existing ones will continue to operate. | 12 months |
| Unsupported versions | ||
| Support discontinued | Support and updates were discontinued. | 18 months |
| Forced update | The existing clusters are updated forcibly. | 24 months |
Tip
We recommend updating clusters manually to the supported versions without waiting for an automatic update. This enables you to test compatibility of your applications with the new version in advance.
Version support schedule
Each version is supported for at least 18 months from the date it was added to Managed Service for Apache Kafka®.
| Version / Status | Available in Managed Service for Apache Kafka® | Unavailable for new clusters | Support discontinued | Forced update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 | N/A | March 1, 2025 | September 1, 2025 (estimated) | September 15, 2025 (estimated) |
| 3.0 | Q1 2022 | March 1, 2025 | September 1, 2025 (estimated) | September 15, 2025 (estimated) |
| 3.1 | Q2 2022 | March 1, 2025 | September 1, 2025 (estimated) | September 15, 2025 (estimated) |
| 3.2 | Q3 2022 | March 1, 2025 | September 1, 2025 (estimated) | September 15, 2025 (estimated) |
| 3.3 | Q1 2023 | March 1, 2025 | September 1, 2025 (estimated) | September 15, 2025 (estimated) |
| 3.4 | Q2 2023 | September 1, 2025 | March 1, 2026 | September 1, 2026 |
| 3.5 | Q4 2023 | September 1, 2025 | March 1, 2026 | September 1, 2026 |
| 3.6 | Q1 2025 | March 1, 2026 | September 1, 2026 | March 1, 2027 |
| 3.7 | Q2 2025 | July 1, 2026 | January 1, 2027 | July 1, 2027 |
| 3.8 | Q2 2025 | July 1, 2026 | January 1, 2027 | July 1, 2027 |
| 3.9 | Q2 2025 | July 1, 2026 | January 1, 2027 | July 1, 2027 |
Important updates
Version 3.9: Starting from this version, cluster migration from ZooKeeper to KRaft is available.
Version 4.0+: ZooKeeper support was fully discontinued (only Apache Kafka® Raft remains available).
Update policy
A Managed Service for Apache Kafka® cluster running a discontinued version is updated to the nearest supported version.
Update notifications
The notification system provides the following notifications:
- 90 days prior to a version’s transition to the Support discontinued status.
- 30 days prior to a version’s transition to the Forced update status.
- 7 days prior to the start of a version’s forced update.