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Oracle database upgrades
Upgrade to Oracle 19c or 26ai before your support runs out
Restricted upgrade support for Oracle 11g and 12.1 ends December 31, 2026, and 21c patching ends July 31, 2027. We plan, rehearse and run the upgrade with a tested way back.
Quick answer
When do Oracle Database versions lose support?
Oracle 11g and 12.1 restricted upgrade support ends December 31, 2026, and Oracle 21c patching ends July 31, 2027. Oracle 19c Premier Support runs to December 31, 2029, with paid Extended Support to December 31, 2032. Oracle 26ai Premier Support runs to December 31, 2031. Systems on older releases should be upgraded to 19c or 26ai.
Deadlines
Oracle Database support dates
Which target
19c or 26ai?
Both are long-term support releases. The right target depends on your applications and how long you want before the next upgrade.
| Oracle 19c | Oracle 26ai | |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Support to | Dec 31, 2029 | Dec 31, 2031 |
| Extended Support | To Dec 31, 2032 (paid) | To be announced |
| Application certification | Widest today | Check with each vendor |
| Good fit | Packaged apps, lowest risk | Longest runway, new features |
Approach
How we run an Oracle upgrade
Assess
Inventory versions, editions, options, character sets and application certifications. Run Oracle's pre-upgrade checks and AutoUpgrade analysis.
Choose the method
In-place AutoUpgrade, a new server with Data Pump, or a Data Guard or GoldenGate approach when downtime must be minimal.
Test
Upgrade a copy, run application tests, and compare execution plans to catch performance regressions before production.
Rehearse
A timed dress rehearsal of the production runbook, including the rollback.
Cut over with a way back
A guaranteed restore point or standby kept ready, so the upgrade can be reversed if checks fail.
Stabilize
Watch performance for the first weeks and fix plan changes as they appear.
Considering third-party support instead of upgrading? Read our comparison guide.
FAQ
Questions buyers ask us
When does Oracle 19c support end?
Oracle 19c Premier Support runs to December 31, 2029, and paid Extended Support runs to December 31, 2032.
Is Oracle 11g still supported?
No for normal support. Oracle 11g and 12.1 have only restricted upgrade support, which ends December 31, 2026, so systems on these releases should be upgraded or migrated.
Can we upgrade directly from 11g to 19c?
Direct upgrade to 19c is supported from 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1 and 18c. Older releases need an intermediate step or a Data Pump migration.
How much downtime does an Oracle upgrade need?
An in-place upgrade usually needs a few hours. Approaches using Data Guard or GoldenGate can cut downtime to minutes, at more setup cost.
Should we upgrade to 19c or 26ai?
19c is the safest choice for packaged applications with wide certification. 26ai has a longer support runway. Check each application vendor's certification before choosing.
Next step
Tell us what you need to build or who you need to hire.
A 30-minute call with a senior architect. You leave with a scoped plan or a role profile, whether or not you work with us.