FreeBSD 12 End of Life
Support dates and upgrade guidance — rebuilt from live data.
FreeBSD 12 reached end of life on 31 Dec 2023. It no longer receives security fixes.
Support timeline
Official dates from the FreeBSD release process.
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Initial release | 11 Dec 2018 | 7y 10mo ago |
| Security Support ended | 31 Dec 2023 | 2y 9mo ago |
| Latest release | — | final |
Where to go from 12
Recommended target: FreeBSD 14.5 (supported until 30 Jun 2027).
The newest actively supported branch is FreeBSD 14.5 (latest release ).
Frequently asked questions
Is FreeBSD 12 still safe to use?
FreeBSD 12 reached end of life on 31 Dec 2023, 1,009 days ago, and is no longer covered by standard support. Running it means no guaranteed security fixes.
Can I still download FreeBSD 12?
Yes — the final release (12) generally remains available from vendor archives and OS package mirrors, but installing it means running software with known, unpatched vulnerabilities.
What should I upgrade FreeBSD 12 to?
Upgrade to FreeBSD 14.5, the newest actively supported branch (supported until 30 Jun 2027).