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Supported database versions in Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL

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APPLIES TO: Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL (powered by the Citus database extension to PostgreSQL)

PostgreSQL versions

The version of PostgreSQL running in a cluster is customizable during creation and can be upgraded in-place once the cluster is created. Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL currently supports the following major PostgreSQL versions:

PostgreSQL version 16

The current minor release is 16.3. Refer to the PostgreSQL documentation to learn more about improvements and fixes in this minor release.

PostgreSQL version 15

The current minor release is 15.7. Refer to the PostgreSQL documentation to learn more about improvements and fixes in this minor release.

PostgreSQL version 14

The current minor release is 14.12. Refer to the PostgreSQL documentation to learn more about improvements and fixes in this minor release.

PostgreSQL version 13

The current minor release is 13.15. Refer to the PostgreSQL documentation to learn more about improvements and fixes in this minor release.

PostgreSQL version 12

The current minor release is 12.19. Refer to the PostgreSQL documentation to learn more about improvements and fixes in this minor release.

PostgreSQL version 11 and older

We don't support PostgreSQL version 11 and older for Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL.

Caution

PostgreSQL community ended support for PostgreSQL 11 on November 9, 2023. See restrictions that apply to the retired PostgreSQL major versions in Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL. Learn about in-place upgrades for major PostgreSQL versions in Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL.

The final minor release is 11.22. Refer to the PostgreSQL documentation to learn more about improvements and fixes in this last minor release.

PostgreSQL version syntax

Before PostgreSQL version 10, the PostgreSQL versioning policy considered a major version upgrade to be an increase in the first or second number. For example, 9.5 to 9.6 was considered a major version upgrade. As of version 10, only a change in the first number is considered a major version upgrade. For example, 10.0 to 10.1 is a minor release upgrade. Version 10 to 11 is a major version upgrade.

PostgreSQL version support and retirement

Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL supports each major version of PostgreSQL from the date on which Azure begins supporting the version until the PostgreSQL community retires that major PostgreSQL version. Refer to PostgreSQL community versioning policy.

Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL automatically performs minor version updates to the latest PostgreSQL version available on Azure as part of periodic maintenance.

Major version retirement policy

The major PostgreSQL version retirement dates in Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL follow the PostgreSQL community versioning policy.

Version What's New Supported since Retirement date (Azure)
PostgreSQL 16 Features Sep 28, 2023 Nov 9, 2028
PostgreSQL 15 Features Oct 20, 2022 Nov 11, 2027
PostgreSQL 14 Features Oct 1, 2021 Nov 12, 2026
PostgreSQL 13 Features Apr 6, 2021 Nov 13, 2025
PostgreSQL 12 Features Apr 6, 2021 Nov 14, 2024
PostgreSQL 11 Features May 7, 2019 Nov 9, 2023 (retired)

Retired PostgreSQL engine versions not supported in Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL

You may continue to run the retired version in Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL. However, note the following restrictions after the retirement date for each PostgreSQL database version:

  • As the community won't be releasing any further bug fixes or security fixes, Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL won't patch the retired database engine for any bugs or security issues, or otherwise take security measures with regard to the retired database engine. You might experience security vulnerabilities or other issues as a result. However, Azure will continue to perform periodic maintenance and patching for the host, OS, containers, and any other service-related components.
  • If any support issue you might experience relates to the PostgreSQL engine itself, as the community no longer provides the patches, we might not be able to provide you with support. In such cases, you will have to upgrade your database to one of the supported versions.
  • You won't be able to create new database servers for the retired version. However, you will be able to perform point-in-time recoveries and create read replicas for your existing servers.
  • New service capabilities developed by Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL might only be available to supported database server versions.
  • Uptime SLAs will apply solely to Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL service-related issues and not to any downtime caused by database engine-related bugs.
  • In the extreme event of a serious threat to the service caused by the PostgreSQL database engine vulnerability identified in the retired database version, Azure might choose to stop your database server to secure the service. In such case, you will be notified to upgrade the server before bringing the server online.

Citus and other extension versions

Depending on which version of PostgreSQL is running in a cluster, different versions of PostgreSQL extensions will be installed as well. In particular, PostgreSQL 14, PostgreSQL 15, and PostgreSQL 16 come with Citus 12, PostgreSQL 13 comes with Citus 11, PostgreSQL 12 comes with Citus 10, and earlier PostgreSQL versions come with Citus 9.5.

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