Apache Kafka 2.6
This version has reached end of life and no longer receives updates.
August 3, 2020
Ongoing
November 15, 2021
2.6.3 (November 12, 2021)
About Apache Kafka 2.6
Apache Kafka 2.6 reached end of life over 4 years ago on November 15, 2021. It no longer receives security patches, bug fixes, or any form of official support. Running this version in production exposes your systems to unpatched vulnerabilities and growing incompatibility with modern libraries and tooling.
The recommended upgrade path is to Apache Kafka 4.2. Since Apache Kafka 2.6 is 4 major versions behind, consider a staged upgrade through intermediate versions to catch breaking changes incrementally rather than all at once. Review the release notes for each intervening major version to identify API changes, deprecated features, and removed functionality that may affect your codebase.
Lifecycle Progress
This version reached end of life November 15, 2021.
All Apache Kafka Versions
| Version | Released | EOL | Latest | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 | February 17, 2026 | TBD | 4.2.0 | Active |
| 4.1 | September 2, 2025 | TBD | 4.1.1 | Active |
| 4.0 | March 18, 2025 | TBD | 4.0.1 | Active |
| 3.9 | November 6, 2024 | TBD | 3.9.2 | Active |
| 3.8 | July 26, 2024 | November 6, 2024 | 3.8.1 | End of Life |
| 3.7 | February 26, 2024 | July 26, 2024 | 3.7.2 | End of Life |
| 3.6 | October 3, 2023 | February 27, 2024 | 3.6.2 | End of Life |
| 3.5 | June 13, 2023 | October 3, 2023 | 3.5.2 | End of Life |
| 3.4 | February 6, 2023 | June 13, 2023 | 3.4.1 | End of Life |
| 3.3 | September 28, 2022 | February 6, 2023 | 3.3.2 | End of Life |
| 3.2 | May 9, 2022 | September 28, 2022 | 3.2.3 | End of Life |
| 3.1 | January 21, 2022 | September 19, 2022 | 3.1.2 | End of Life |
| 3.0 | September 20, 2021 | September 19, 2022 | 3.0.2 | End of Life |
| 2.8 | April 18, 2021 | September 19, 2022 | 2.8.2 | End of Life |
| 2.7 | December 19, 2020 | November 15, 2021 | 2.7.2 | End of Life |
| 2.6 (current page) | August 3, 2020 | November 15, 2021 | 2.6.3 | End of Life |
| 2.5 | April 14, 2020 | August 10, 2020 | 2.5.1 | End of Life |
| 2.4 | December 14, 2019 | April 15, 2020 | 2.4.1 | End of Life |
| 2.3 | June 24, 2019 | December 16, 2019 | 2.3.1 | End of Life |
| 2.2 | March 22, 2019 | December 1, 2019 | 2.2.2 | End of Life |
| 2.1 | November 20, 2018 | March 22, 2019 | 2.1.1 | End of Life |
| 2.0 | July 28, 2018 | November 20, 2018 | 2.0.1 | End of Life |
| 1.1 | March 28, 2018 | July 30, 2018 | 1.1.1 | End of Life |
| 1.0 | October 31, 2017 | July 8, 2018 | 1.0.2 | End of Life |
| 0.11 | June 28, 2017 | July 2, 2018 | 0.11.0.3 | End of Life |
| 0.10 | May 22, 2016 | July 2, 2018 | 0.10.2.2 | End of Life |
| 0.9 | November 23, 2015 | May 22, 2016 | 0.9.0.1 | End of Life |
| 0.8 | December 3, 2013 | November 23, 2015 | 0.8.2.2 | End of Life |
| 0.7 | January 4, 2012 | December 3, 2013 | 0.7.2 | End of Life |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Apache Kafka 2.6 released?
When does Apache Kafka 2.6 reach end of life?
What is the latest patch version of Apache Kafka 2.6?
Should I still use Apache Kafka 2.6?
Related Resources
Get release updates for Apache Kafka
Breaking changes, security patches, EOL warnings. Monthly digest, no spam.
Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime. We track 50+ technologies.