Apache Kafka 4.1 End of Life
Support dates and upgrade guidance — rebuilt from live data.
Supported
Apache Kafka 4.1 is actively supported.
4.1.2 latest release
Check your version${KAFKA_HOME}/bin/kafka-topics.sh --version
Support timeline
Official dates from the Apache Kafka release process.
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Initial release | 2 Sept 2025 | — |
| End of life (scheduled) | — | not announced |
| Extended support ends | 15 Oct 2027 | 432 days left |
| Latest release | 4.1.2 · 16 Mar 2026 | current |
Frequently asked questions
When does Apache Kafka 4.1 reach end of life?
No end-of-life date has been announced for Apache Kafka 4.1 yet.
Is Apache Kafka 4.1 still supported?
Yes. Apache Kafka 4.1 is currently maintained. Latest release: 4.1.2, published 16 Mar 2026.
What happens when Apache Kafka 4.1 reaches end of life?
Security fixes stop. After — this branch receives no further updates under standard support, though extended support runs to 15 Oct 2027.
How long do I have to upgrade from Apache Kafka 4.1?
No end-of-life date has been announced yet.
All Apache Kafka versions
4.3 supported 4.2 supported 4.1 supported 4.0 supported 3.9 supported 3.8 EOL 2024 3.7 EOL 2024 3.6 EOL 2024 3.5 EOL 2023 3.4 EOL 2023 3.3 EOL 2023 3.2 EOL 2022 3.1 EOL 2022 3.0 EOL 2022 2.8 EOL 2022 2.7 EOL 2021 2.6 EOL 2021 2.5 EOL 2020 2.4 EOL 2020 2.3 EOL 2019 2.2 EOL 2019 2.1 EOL 2019 2.0 EOL 2018 1.1 EOL 2018 1.0 EOL 2018 0.11 EOL 2018 0.10 EOL 2018 0.9 EOL 2016 0.8 EOL 2015 0.7 EOL 2013