If you’re running MySQL 8.0 databases, you need to know this: Oracle will stop supporting them in April 2026. That means no more security patches, bug fixes, or help when things go wrong.
Maybe you’re thinking, “But April 2026 feels far away!“. But once that date hits, every day you keep running MySQL 8.0 makes your systems less secure.
The upside? You have options, and you have a little time to figure out the best fit for your environment. Here’s what MySQL 8.0’s end of life actually means for you, how it could affect your systems and compliance requirements, and what you can do to stay safe and stable without scrambling at the last minute.
Consider this your nudge to start thinking about your plan.
What happens at MySQL 8.0 end of life?
After April 2026, you’re on your own with MySQL 8.0. Oracle won’t fix new security holes or patch bugs. If a new vulnerability is found, there won’t be a quick fix waiting for you. You’re on your own for troubleshooting and repairs.
This change doesn’t just create more technical risk, though. Without regular updates, unsupported databases attract the attention of both attackers and auditors. Even routine issues can start to feel bigger, especially when your team is left searching for workarounds.
Delaying an upgrade might feel like the easier option, especially if your stack is complex or full of older apps. But as time goes on, running EOL software gets harder to defend, both technically and when it comes to passing audits or meeting compliance rules.
How MySQL 8.0 EOL affects security and compliance
Your security gets weaker
Every month after April 2026, your MySQL databases become easier targets. Security researchers will keep finding vulnerabilities, but you won’t get patches to fix them. What starts as a small security gap can turn into a major breach that affects your entire business.
For teams depending on MySQL for critical data, this kind of exposure can keep everyone up at night.
Compliance becomes your problem
End of life also brings a new set of compliance headaches.
- PCI DSS 4.0 now requires you to manage your software’s full lifecycle. Running unsupported databases is a big red flag. Unless you put strong compensating controls in place, you could lose your ability to process payments or pass your next audit. Auditors are watching for unsupported systems and may flag your environment as high risk, putting cardholder data at stake.
- If you work in healthcare, HIPAA expects you to keep systems secure and up to date, even though it doesn’t specifically mention end-of-life software. If you keep running unpatched databases, you put sensitive patient data at risk. That can lead to heavy fines or even enforcement actions if there’s a breach.
- Financial services, government work, and other regulated industries have similar requirements. Auditors look for unsupported software and often require immediate fixes before they’ll sign off on your compliance.
Bottom line
Once MySQL 8.0 hits end of life, the risks stack up quickly. Staying secure and compliant becomes much harder, and the potential business impact (think breaches, failed audits) grows every day you wait. If you need to keep your data safe and your business running, now’s the time to think about your options.
What are your options after the MySQL 8 end of life date?
When MySQL 8.0 does reach end of life, you’re not stuck. You have solid options that let you handle this transition on your own terms.
Option 1: Upgrade to Percona Server for MySQL 8.4
Percona Server for MySQL 8.4 is stable and tested and delivers improved performance, enhanced security, and a better user experience than standard MySQL 8.4. We’ll guide you through the upgrade with minimal disruption and ensure that any legacy applications relying on deprecated MySQL 8.0 features get updated correctly.
The upgrade does more than solve your April 2026 problem; it’s your chance to review your entire setup and make sure everything works the way it should. Our experts handle the details that matter. We identify and address deprecated features before they cause problems, and assess your full stack to ensure your applications, operating system, and libraries work seamlessly with your new version.
After your upgrade, we tune your database and provide ongoing support, monitoring, and performance optimization to keep your database environment secure, stable, and up-to-date.
Option 2: Post-EOL support for MySQL 8.0
Not every team is ready to upgrade right away, and that’s perfectly reasonable.
Maybe upgrading isn’t in your plans this year, or you’ve already tried upgrading but ran into unexpected complications. Perhaps your backend applications depend on MySQL 8.0 configurations that don’t work with 8.4, or you’re waiting for legacy application stacks to be phased out.
Upgrading requires specialized expertise, especially if you have a large server fleet or can’t afford downtime. This kind of upgrade can take years of planning, but with MySQL 8.0’s end-of-life approaching, you might not have enough time to plan properly. Staying on unsupported 8.0 isn’t an option either, as it leaves your databases vulnerable to security issues and performance problems.
Extended support for MySQL 8.0 from Percona gives you up to three years of coverage, including expert-engineered fixes for security vulnerabilities, 24/7 monitoring and support, detailed vulnerability testing reports, and guaranteed SLAs.
You get customer-focused support that escalates when necessary and quickly resolves issues that typically take weeks to diagnose. Our experts provide proactive monitoring, database performance reviews, health checks, and tailored advice on properly designing and tuning your MySQL servers, schemas, queries, and replication setup.
Extended support gives you the breathing room to plan a strategic, eventual migration without exposing your systems to risk, while keeping your current MySQL 8.0 environment secure and stable.
Why Percona? Open source value and enterprise-grade support
Percona gives you enterprise-quality MySQL without the surprise fees or vendor lock-in you get with other companies. All the advanced features – high availability, monitoring, backups, Kubernetes support – come as open source software you can use however you want. You decide how and where you deploy, and you stay in control of your strategy and budget.
When you need help, you get it from people who actually know MySQL inside and out. Fast response times, proactive monitoring, and regular health checks keep your systems running smoothly.
What should you do next?
You’ll need to make this decision while you still have time to plan properly. There’s enough time to do it right, but not enough time to keep putting it off.
We’re here to support whichever direction works best for you. You can choose the option that fits your needs:
Either way, you’ll have the support you need to keep your databases running at their best.
Learn more about your options for upgrading or post-EOL support
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the MySQL 8.0 end of life date?
Oracle ends official support for MySQL 8.0 in April 2026. After that date, you won’t receive security patches, bug fixes, or technical support from Oracle.
What happens if I don’t upgrade after the MySQL 8.0 end of life date?
Your MySQL 8.0 databases will continue running, but they’ll become increasingly risky. New security vulnerabilities won’t get patched, making your systems attractive targets for attackers. You’ll also face compliance issues during audits, as most frameworks require supported software.
What are the benefits of using Percona’s post-EOL support?
You get up to three years of security patches and bug fixes for MySQL 8.0 after Oracle stops supporting it. This includes 24/7 monitoring, regular health checks, vulnerability testing reports, and expert guidance on securing your existing setup. It gives you time to plan your upgrade properly without rushing or compromising security.
How does Percona help with upgrades and planning?
Percona’s support team helps you identify compatibility issues before they become problems. You get assistance with testing your applications, planning your migration timeline, and implementing the upgrade with minimal disruption to your business. The team provides ongoing support throughout the process.
Can the rpm package of awslinux 2023 be open sourced for community use? If so, the community will be grateful to Percona.
https://docs.percona.com/percona-server/8.0/psmysql-pro.html