Right now, you’re probably hoping someone else will deal with this MySQL 8.0 end-of-life situation. Maybe your team can squeeze another few months out of it. Maybe Oracle will extend support. Maybe it won’t be as bad as everyone says.
We get it.
You’ve got enough things going on without adding “major database upgrade” to your list.
But this one won’t wait, and it won’t fix itself.
MySQL 8.0 reaches end of life in April 2026. When support ends, you’re not just losing access to new features. You’re losing security patches. When the next vulnerability gets discovered, there’s no fix coming. Your compliance team will start asking uncomfortable questions. Your security team will flag your database as a risk. And if you’re in a regulated industry, you might be looking at audit failures.
The smart move? Get ahead of upgrading to MySQL 8.4, while you still have time to do it right.
Why MySQL 8.0 end of life is a big deal
No more security patches
Here’s what “end of life” means in practice: Oracle stops fixing things. That security vulnerability that gets discovered three months after April 2026? You’re on your own. The bug that’s been annoying your team for months? It’s permanent now.
Compliance becomes a problem
Your compliance situation gets messier, too. Auditors don’t care that the database “still works fine.” They care that it’s unsupported, which means it’s a liability. If you’re dealing with SOC 2, PCI DSS, or any other compliance framework, unsupported software is a red flag.
Oracle controls your timeline
And here’s something most people don’t think about: after April 2026, Oracle will be able to automatically upgrade unsupported databases during scheduled maintenance windows, and that upgrade may happen at a time or in a way that doesn’t suit your environment. It’s not the kind of surprise you want in production.
The bottom line? Running out-of-date software puts your business at risk. Whether it’s unexpected downtime, a security breach, a failed compliance check, or an upgrade you didn’t choose, acting now puts you back in control, on your own terms.
Why upgrading to MySQL 8.4 is worth it
We don’t think anyone pretends that upgrading databases is fun, but MySQL 8.4 actually makes your life easier once you get there.
Your queries run faster because the InnoDB storage engine got smarter. Your applications respond better because query optimization has improved. Your team spends less time chasing weird performance issues.
Security gets better too, with stronger authentication and safer defaults. Instead of constantly worrying about the next vulnerability, you get regular patches that actually fix things.
The daily management stuff becomes less painful. Better tools, clearer error messages, and fewer “why is this happening?” moments make it easier for your team to handle routine tasks, with less risk of downtime or disruption. Upgrading gives you a supported, stable foundation to work with.
Worried about upgrading? Here’s why you don’t need to be
You’re worried about breaking something. Of course you are. That legacy application that nobody fully understands, the integration that works but nobody remembers how, the custom scripts that someone wrote three years ago. What if the upgrade kills all of that?
Here’s the reality: most compatibility issues are manageable if you find them early. MySQL 8.4 deprecated some features, but we’re talking about things like the change to authentication methods. You can address that with planning. The scary scenarios usually happen when people rush.
Your applications need attention, too. For a smooth upgrade, you’ll want to make sure your applications, operating systems, and libraries are ready to work with MySQL 8.4. A comprehensive review of your stack helps you avoid late surprises and keeps everything running as expected.
And yes, nobody wants downtime. But with proper planning, you can minimize it and schedule it for when it hurts least. The alternative is unplanned downtime when something breaks and you have no support to fix it.
If this all feels overwhelming, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Sometimes, the smartest move is to bring in people who do this every day and can handle the technical details while you focus on keeping your business running.
Why Percona Server for MySQL 8.4 is the upgrade your database deserves
When you upgrade to MySQL 8.4, you want to know it’s going to work. Not only today, but six months from now, when you’re dealing with whatever crisis comes next.
Percona Server for MySQL 8.4 is a true MySQL enterprise alternative. You get the flexibility of open source with the high availability, security, and backup features you’d expect from Oracle EE. Here’s what that means for your team:
- Real enterprise features without the licensing headaches: Backup and restore capabilities, monitoring that tells you what’s actually wrong, and high availability features that keep you running when hardware fails. All open source, no vendor lock-in.
- Deploy where it makes sense for your business: Full support for Kubernetes and cloud-native architectures means you can run containerized workloads or move to the cloud on your timeline, not your database vendor’s.
- Predictable costs and strategic control: Scale, adapt, or integrate with new tools as your needs change without surprise costs or complicated licensing agreements.
- Hands-on support throughout the process: Get expert help before, during, and after your upgrade. Whether you need advice, upgrade scripts, or troubleshooting, you have access to a team focused on keeping your environment stable and performing.
- Performance tuning built in: Our experts work with you to optimize servers, schemas, queries, and replication for maximum performance. You’re not just getting a database upgrade; you’re getting ongoing optimization.
- SLAs that actually matter: Response times as low as 15 minutes for critical issues, plus 24/7/365 monitoring and proactive response to catch problems before they escalate.
Percona makes your upgrade smooth and stress-free
Making the move to a new database version can feel overwhelming, but Percona’s process is built to take the stress out of upgrading.
Assessment and planning
It starts with a comprehensive assessment: we review your full stack, check for compatibility issues, and identify any dependencies or deprecated features that could trip you up later. Nothing gets left to chance.
From there, you get a detailed upgrade plan, one that fits your specific environment and business goals. Percona provides custom scripts, thorough testing in a staging environment, and a clear schedule designed to minimize downtime. We work alongside your team to keep everyone informed and confident at every stage.
Ongoing support
Once you’re running on Percona Server for MySQL 8.4, we don’t disappear. Ongoing monitoring, proactive tuning, and security reviews help keep your environment running smoothly long after the upgrade. And if you ever run into questions or need advice, help is just a call or a ticket away.
Take the next step: Upgrade with confidence
MySQL 8.0’s end-of-life deadline in April 2026 isn’t going away. You can deal with it now, on your terms, with time to do it right. Or you can wait and deal with it later, when you may be rushed and your options are limited.
Upgrading to MySQL 8.4 is a real opportunity to strengthen security, improve performance, and make daily management easier for your team. And with Percona Server for MySQL 8.4, you get even more enterprise-grade features, greater control, and support that’s there when you need it.
Don’t let MySQL 8.0 end of life catch you off guard or force you into a rushed decision. With the right partner, this upgrade becomes a straightforward, well-managed project.
Let’s do this together. Connect with Percona to see how simple and rewarding your upgrade can be.
Learn more about upgrading to Percona Server for MySQL 8.4
