Drupal 9 Support Will End In November 2023
Drupal 9 support is ending in November 2023, which means that the Drupal Community will no longer provide security updates and official support for Drupal 9 after that date. To ensure the security and stability of your website or application, you’ll need to take appropriate actions before the end of support. Here’s what you should do:
- Upgrade to Drupal 9.1 or later: Drupal typically provides backward compatibility for minor version upgrades, so you should aim to upgrade your Drupal 9 installation to the latest available version (9.1 or later) before the end of support. These versions will continue to receive security updates and community support for a longer period.
- Check compatibility with Drupal 10: By the time Drupal 9 support ends, Drupal 10 might be released or well on its way. Ensure that your modules, themes, and custom code are compatible with Drupal 10 so that you can plan a smooth upgrade in the future.
- Backup your website: Before performing any major update or upgrade, always create a full backup of your website and database. This ensures that if anything goes wrong during the process, you can easily restore your site to its previous state.
- Update modules and themes: Make sure all your contributed modules and themes are up to date. Outdated modules and themes can cause compatibility issues during the upgrade process.
- Conduct thorough testing: After updating Drupal and all modules and themes, thoroughly test your website to ensure that everything works as expected. Check the functionality, design, and user experience on different devices and browsers.
- Consult with Drupal experts: If you’re unsure about the upgrade process or need assistance, consider consulting with Drupal experts or developers who have experience in upgrading Drupal installations. They can help you navigate through the upgrade process and resolve any potential issues.
- Consider third-party support: If you’re not ready to upgrade to Drupal 9.1 or later right away, some companies offer extended support plans for older Drupal versions. This could provide you with additional time to plan your upgrade strategy more effectively.
It’s essential to stay on top of security updates and the latest Drupal releases to keep your website secure and functioning optimally. Planning ahead and taking action before the end of Drupal 9 support will ensure a smoother transition to newer versions and maintain the security and reliability of your Drupal site.
Summary
Drupal 10 was released ahead of Drupal 9’s end of life, similar to the transition between Drupal 8 and 9. See the release cycle overview for more information on possible release dates.
References
How long will Drupal 9 be supported?
Drupal core release cycle: major, minor, and patch releases.
Symfony releases follow a time-based model: minor versions come out every six months (in May and November); major versions come out every two years. Check out the release process details.
