Maintenance and release schedule
TL;DR
Versioning scheme:
MAJOR.MINOR.PATCHLatest major release = leading-edge supported release with the newest features and stable API additions
Oldest supported major release = most mature supported release still receiving security and critical bug fixes
Release cadence and lifecycle:
Major releases: released approximately every four months; supported through maintenance releases for twelve months after initial release
Maintenance releases: released approximately monthly for all supported major versions; limited to critical bug fixes and security fixes
Overview
Nextcloud Server stable releases use a standard MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
versioning scheme. A release identified by the PATCH component is also
called a maintenance release.
stable releases are point-in-time snapshots published by the maintainers.
They provide transition points for new features, architectural changes, major
dependency updates, API deprecations, and substantial technical debt reduction.
They also provide a consistent core user interface for end users and their
technical supporters, as well as a stable API surface for app developers.
Multiple stable major releases are supported at the same time. The
following sections describe the two ends of that support range.
The latest supported major version
The latest supported major version is the leading-edge release deemed generally ready for responsible production use by the core maintainers.
It provides the newest features, refinements, and optimizations while introducing the latest stable API surfaces and capabilities for app developers. It is likely to receive additional polishing for edge cases based on community feedback during its early maintenance releases.
The oldest supported major version
The oldest supported major version is the most mature and refined option still actively receiving regular security and bug fixes. It has had the longest period of production use and maintenance. It may have broader app compatibility, depending on the apps you use, and typically broader community support.
Choosing what version to install
For upcoming Server release dates and the latest end-of-life projections, see the Maintenance and Release Schedule.
When choosing a version for a new installation, select any supported major version according to your needs. Choose the latest supported version for the newest features, or the oldest supported version for the greatest maturity.
Tip
Extended maintenance and additional support are available through Nextcloud Enterprise services, offered by Nextcloud GmbH, which employs many of the developers and core maintainers who work on Nextcloud.
Release types
Nextcloud has two types of releases in the default stable release
channel:
Major releases introduce new features and functionality.
Maintenance releases provide targeted fixes for supported major versions.
Major releases
A major release is identified by the first part of the version number. For
example, 28.0.4 belongs to major version 28.
Major releases can introduce new features, behavioural changes, and changes to system requirements. Apps may also need to be updated to support a new major version.
Tip
Before upgrading, review the Critical changes section of the release notes and verify that your apps support the target major version.
New major releases are generally published every four months. The actual schedule is subject to change.
Each major release is supported through maintenance releases for twelve months from its initial release. Enterprise support arrangements with Nextcloud GmbH may provide longer support periods.
Maintenance releases
A maintenance release is identified by the PATCH part of the version
number. For example, 28.0.4 is the fourth maintenance release for major
version 28.
Maintenance releases do not introduce new features or breaking changes. Their content is limited to targeted or backported critical changes, including critical bug fixes and security fixes.
Maintenance releases are published approximately once per month for each supported major version. Critical fixes that affect more than one supported major release are backported to all affected versions.
Danger
Always install the latest maintenance release available for your chosen major version as soon as possible.
End of life
A major version reaches its end of life twelve months after its initial release. After that anniversary, community maintenance releases, including security fixes, cease.
Tip
Try to complete your upgrade to the next supported major version before your current major version reaches end of life. With approximately three major releases every twelve months, you generally have eight to twelve months to plan the next major version upgrade, depending on when you upgrade.
The current maintenance status and planned end-of-life dates are published in the Maintenance and Release Schedule.
Release channels
By default, Nextcloud uses the stable release channel. This channel
provides releases that are ready for most users. New releases are introduced
gradually through staged roll-outs.
The stable channel may offer a newer major version before your current
major version reaches end of life. You are not required to upgrade immediately,
but you must upgrade before your current major version becomes unsupported.
Major version upgrades
Before upgrading between major versions:
Review the Critical changes section of the release notes.
Check the compatibility of your apps.
Verify that your system meets the target release’s requirements.
Create a backup and test that you can restore it.
Downgrading is not officially supported between major, maintenance, or pre-release versions.
Bug reporting
Before reporting a bug, make sure that you are running a supported major version and the latest maintenance release for that version.
Other release schedules
The following components are related to Nextcloud Server but do not necessarily follow its versioning scheme or release schedule.
Pre-releases
Community members can help with quality assurance and real-world testing by deploying beta releases and release candidates. Use pre-releases in test environments and be prepared to identify and report problems.
For archive-based installations, you can select the beta release
channel to test upcoming releases.
App releases
Nextcloud apps, including Recommended and Featured apps but excluding shipped core apps, have their own versioning schemes and release schedules.
Installers and deployment packages
The main artifacts for a given Nextcloud Server release are the .tar.gz and
.zip archives generated and published by the core project maintainers.
They are versioned as described above.
Most other Nextcloud installation packages, such as AIO and Snap, are maintained as sub-projects or community projects. They each have their own versioning schemes and release schedules, which may not coincide with those of the core project.
Official clients
All official clients (mobile, desktop) have their own versioning schemes and release schedules.