Azure Functions currently supports two versions of the runtime host. The following table details the currently supported runtime versions, their support level, and when they should be used:
Supported only for C# apps that must use .NET Framework. This version is in maintenance mode, with enhancements provided only in later versions. Support will end for version 1.x on September 14, 2026. We highly recommend you migrate your apps to version 4.x, which supports .NET Framework 4.8, .NET 8, and .NET 9.
Important
As of December 13, 2022, function apps running on versions 2.x and 3.x of the Azure Functions runtime reached the end of extended support. For more information, see Retired versions.
This article details some of the differences between supported versions, how you can create each version, and how to change the version on which your functions run.
Levels of support
There are two levels of support:
Generally available (GA) - Fully supported and approved for production use.
Preview - Not yet supported, but expected to reach GA status in the future.
Languages
All functions in a function app must share the same language. You choose the language of functions in your function app when you create the app. The language of your function app is maintained in the FUNCTIONS_WORKER_RUNTIME setting, and can't be changed when there are existing functions.
Make sure to select your preferred development language at the top of the article.
The following table shows the .NET versions supported by Azure Functions.
The supported version of .NET depends on both your Functions runtime version and your chosen execution model:
Running C# functions in an isolated worker process isn't supported by version 1.x of the Functions runtime. Instead choose the In-process tab or choose v4.x.
The following table shows the language versions supported for Java functions.
For information about planned changes to language support, see the Azure roadmap updates.
For information about the language versions of previously supported versions of the Functions runtime, see Retired runtime versions.
Run on a specific version
The version of the Functions runtime used by published apps in Azure is dictated by the FUNCTIONS_EXTENSION_VERSION application setting. In some cases and for certain languages, other settings can apply.
By default, function apps created in the Azure portal, by the Azure CLI, or from Visual Studio tools are set to version 4.x. You can modify this version if needed. You can only downgrade the runtime version to 1.x after you create your function app but before you add any functions. Updating to a later major version is allowed even with apps that have existing functions.
Migrating existing function apps
When your app has existing functions, you must take precautions before moving to a later major runtime version. The following articles detail breaking changes between major versions, including language-specific breaking changes. They also provide you with step-by-step instructions for a successful migration of your existing function app.
The following major runtime version values are used:
Value
Runtime target
~4
4.x
~1
1.x
Important
Don't arbitrarily change this app setting, because other app setting changes and changes to your function code might be required. For existing function apps, follow the migration instructions.
Pinning to a specific minor version
To resolve issues that your function app could have when running on the latest major version, you must temporarily pin your app to a specific minor version. Pinning gives you time to get your app running correctly on the latest major version. The way that you pin to a minor version differs between Windows and Linux. To learn more, see How to target Azure Functions runtime versions.
Older minor versions are periodically removed from Functions. For the latest news about Azure Functions releases, including the removal of specific older minor versions, monitor Azure App Service announcements.
Minimum extension versions
There's technically not a correlation between binding extension versions and the Functions runtime version. However, starting with version 4.x the Functions runtime enforces a minimum version for all trigger and binding extensions.
If you receive a warning about a package not meeting a minimum required version, you should update that NuGet package to the minimum version as you normally would. The minimum version requirements for extensions used in Functions v4.x can be found in the linked configuration file.
For C# script, update the extension bundle reference in the host.json as follows:
There's technically not a correlation between extension bundle versions and the Functions runtime version. However, starting with version 4.x the Functions runtime enforces a minimum version for extension bundles.
If you receive a warning about your extension bundle version not meeting a minimum required version, update your existing extension bundle reference in the host.json as follows:
These versions of the Functions runtime reached the end of extended support on December 13, 2022.
Version
Current support level
Previous support level
3.x
Out of support
GA
2.x
Out of support
GA
As soon as possible, you should migrate your apps to version 4.x to obtain full support. For a complete set of language-specific migration instructions, see Migrate apps to Azure Functions version 4.x.
Apps using versions 2.x and 3.x can still be created and deployed from your CI/CD DevOps pipeline, and all existing apps continue to run without breaking changes. However, your apps aren't eligible for new features, security patches, and performance optimizations. You can only get related service support after you upgrade your apps to version 4.x.
Versions 2.x and 3.x are no longer supported due to the end of support for .NET Core 3.1, which was a core dependency. This requirement affects all languages supported by Azure Functions.
Locally developed application versions
You can make the following updates to function apps to locally change the targeted versions.
Visual Studio runtime versions
In Visual Studio, you select the runtime version when you create a project. Azure Functions tools for Visual Studio supports the two major runtime versions. The correct version is used when debugging and publishing based on project settings. The version settings are defined in the .csproj file in the following properties:
If you're using the isolated worker model, you can choose, net8.0, net6.0, or net48 as the target framework. You can also choose to use preview support for net9.0. If you're using the in-process model, you can choose net8.0 or net6.0, and you must include the Microsoft.NET.Sdk.Functions extension set to at least 4.4.0.
.NET 7 was previously supported on the isolated worker model but reached the end of official support on May 14, 2024.
For Visual Studio Code development, you might also need to update the user setting for the azureFunctions.projectRuntime to match the version of the tools installed. This setting also updates the templates and languages used during function app creation.
Decoupling of runtime and bindings. This change allows binding extensions to be versioned and released independently. You can, for example, opt to upgrade to a version of an extension that relies on a newer version of an underlying SDK.
A lighter execution environment, where only the bindings in use are known and loaded by the runtime.
Except for HTTP and timer triggers, all bindings must be explicitly added to the function app project, or registered in the portal. For more information, see Azure Functions binding expression patterns.
This table shows the bindings that are supported in the major versions of the Azure Functions runtime:
Supported in Kubernetes, IoT Edge, and other self-hosted modes only.
Function app time-out duration
The time-out duration for functions in a function app is defined by the functionTimeout property in the host.json project file. This property applies specifically to function executions. After the trigger starts function execution, the function needs to return/respond within the time-out duration. To avoid time-outs, it's important to write robust functions. For more information, see Improve Azure Functions performance and reliability.
The following table shows the default and maximum values (in minutes) for specific plans:
There is no maximum execution time-out duration enforced. However, the grace period given to a function execution is 60 minutes during scale in for the Flex Consumption and Premium plans, and a grace period of 10 minutes is given during platform updates.
Requires the App Service plan be set to Always On. A grace period of 10 minutes is given during platform updates.
The default time-out for version 1.x of the Functions host runtime is unbounded.
When the minimum number of replicas is set to zero, the default time-out depends on the specific triggers used in the app.
Related content
For more information, see the following resources:
This article shows you how to migrate your existing function apps running on version 3.x of the Azure Functions runtime to be able to run on version 4.x of the runtime.
Build end-to-end solutions in Microsoft Azure to create Azure Functions, implement and manage web apps, develop solutions utilizing Azure storage, and more.