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Azure Database for PostgreSQL versioning policy

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APPLIES TO: Azure Database for PostgreSQL - Single Server

This page describes the Azure Database for PostgreSQL versioning policy, and is applicable to these deployment modes:

  • Single Server
  • Flexible Server

Supported PostgreSQL versions

Azure Database for PostgreSQL supports the following database versions.

Version Single Server Flexible Server
PostgreSQL 14 X
PostgreSQL 13 X
PostgreSQL 12 X
PostgreSQL 11 X X
PostgreSQL 10 X
PostgreSQL 9.6 (retired) See policy
PostgreSQL 9.5 (retired) See policy

Major version support

Each major version of PostgreSQL will be supported by Azure Database for PostgreSQL from the date on which Azure begins supporting the version until the version is retired by the PostgreSQL community. Refer to PostgreSQL community versioning policy.

Minor version support

Azure Database for PostgreSQL automatically performs minor version upgrades to the Azure preferred PostgreSQL version as part of periodic maintenance.

Major version retirement policy

The table below provides the retirement details for PostgreSQL major versions. The dates follow the PostgreSQL community versioning policy.

Version What's New Azure support start date Retirement date (Azure)
PostgreSQL 9.5 (retired) Features April 18, 2018 February 11, 2021
PostgreSQL 9.6 (retired) Features April 18, 2018 November 11, 2021
PostgreSQL 10 Features June 4, 2018 November 10, 2022
PostgreSQL 11 Features July 24, 2019 November 9, 2024 [Single Server, Flexible Server]
PostgreSQL 12 Features Sept 22, 2020 November 14, 2024
PostgreSQL 13 Features May 25, 2021 November 13, 2025
PostgreSQL 14 Features June 29, 2022 (Flexible Server) November 12, 2026

PostgreSQL 11 support in Single Server and Flexible Server

Azure is extending support for PostgreSQL 11 in Single Server and Flexible Server by one more year until November 9, 2024.

  • You will be able to create and use your PostgreSQL 11 servers until November 9, 2024 without any restrictions. This extended support is provided to help you with more time to plan and migrate to Flexible server for higher PostgreSQL versions.
  • Until November 9, 2023, Azure will continue to update your PostgreSQL 11 server with PostgreSQL community provided minor versions.
  • Between November 9, 2023 and November 9, 2024, you can continue to use your PostgreSQL 11 servers and create new PostgreSQL servers without any restrictions. However, other retired PostgreSQL engine restrictions apply.
  • Beyond Nov 9 2024, all retired PostgreSQL engine restrictions apply.

Retired PostgreSQL engine versions not supported in Azure Database for PostgreSQL

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

  • As the community will not be releasing any further bug fixes or security fixes, Azure Database for PostgreSQL will not patch the retired database engine for any bugs or security issues, or otherwise take security measures with regard to the retired database engine. You may 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 may experience relates to the PostgreSQL engine itself, as the community no longer provides the patches, we may 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 will not 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 Database for PostgreSQL may only be available to supported database server versions.
  • Uptime SLAs will apply solely to Azure Database 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 may 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.

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.

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