We’ve mentioned this a few times here on the blog already, but in case you missed it, MySQL 8.0’s end-of-life date is April 2026. This probably sounds forever away, but it’s going to sneak up before you know it. Maybe you’ve been putting off thinking about it, or maybe you’re already weighing your options but aren’t sure which path makes the most sense.
So, here’s some good news: you’ve actually got more options than you might realize. You could roll the dice and just keep running 8.0 even after support ends (no judgment here, but certainly not advisable). Or maybe you’re thinking, “Eh, I’ll just patch things myself.” Sure, but you have to be ready to handle maintenance and security patches yourself. Of course, there’s the “let’s get help” route, where you opt for extended support to buy yourself some breathing room. Or you can upgrade to MySQL 8.4 now.
In this blog, we’ll cover each option’s risks, the work involved, and when each approach makes sense. The goal is to help you choose the path that fits your situation, not someone else’s timeline.
Ignoring EOL: What happens if you do nothing?
Have you ever thought about what actually happens if you just… let MySQL 8.0 keep chugging along after end of life? Budgets are tight, you’re juggling other projects, and honestly, if everything’s running smoothly, who wants to mess with that? Ever caught yourself thinking, “If it isn’t broken, why touch it?”
But here’s the thing: once that EOL date passes, unsupported really means unsupported. Have you ever had a bug pop up and thought, “No big deal, I’ll just wait for the next patch?” Well, after EOL, there is no next patch. No security updates, no bug fixes, nothing. What would you do if a vulnerability hits and you’re suddenly on your own?
Think about this:
Every new exploit out there becomes your problem. No patches means you’re the one holding the bag.
If you’re working in healthcare, finance, or anywhere with compliance rules, how would you handle an audit if your database is out of support? Failed audits and fines are not fun surprises.
Ever wonder if your vendor might just force an upgrade on you? It happens more often than you’d think. Can you imagine getting an email saying, “Upgrade now or risk downtime?” Not exactly how you want to start your week.
If something breaks, who are you going to call? You and your team will be searching forums and Slack, hoping someone has seen the same issue.
So, how do you feel about all that? Would you be comfortable carrying all that risk? Even if your database is quietly humming along, that peace of mind starts slipping away the further you get from official support. Most teams that wait it out eventually find themselves facing an emergency, with fewer good options and less time to act.
DIY MySQL 8.0 EOL support: Can you go it alone?
For some teams, handling MySQL 8.0 on their own after end of life feels doable. You might have a couple of rockstar engineers who practically speak MySQL as a second language, and maybe you’re thinking, “We’ll just keep an eye out for trouble and lean on Stack Overflow if something weird pops up.” Sounds familiar?
Here’s what managing MySQL 8.0 after EOL actually involves:
You become your own security team. When some new vulnerability comes out, you’re the one tracking down patches, testing them out, and crossing your fingers that nothing breaks in the process. No more official updates rolling in to save the day.
Chasing down answers. Have you ever tried finding a solid fix in the middle of a crisis? Sometimes you hit gold, but sometimes it’s a wild goose chase, and all you find are people arguing about the best approach. Not super fun.
Testing, testing, testing. Every time you touch the system, it’s all on you to test it. There’s no safety net anymore. One rushed patch and, poof, you’ve just made three new problems. Been there? It can be rough.
Incident response is all yours. Database outages don’t wait for business hours. You and your team own every emergency, and resolution times depend entirely on internal expertise.
If your team lives and breathes MySQL and has hours to spend poking at every little issue, sure, maybe you’ll be fine. But for most folks, it starts to eat away at time, energy, and, well, sanity. And if you ever have to prove to an auditor that everything’s patched and secure, unsupported software is just going to raise eyebrows. Can you imagine that conversation?
DIY support looks cheap on paper, but those hidden costs add up. Downtime, headaches, lost sleep, it’s all part of the deal. Would you want to take all that on, or would you rather have a bit more backup?
Professional extended support: Expert help, zero pressure
Sometimes, upgrading MySQL 8.0 right now just isn’t possible. Maybe your setup is too complex. Maybe your app stack just isn’t ready yet. Or maybe you just need a little more time to plan things out. That’s where professional extended support comes in. It’s built for exactly this kind of moment. You get to keep things secure and steady, and you’ve got experts in your corner, so you can move at your own speed. Not Oracle’s.
Percona’s post-EOL support is available for up to three years after Oracle’s official end-of-life date for MySQL 8.0. That gives you a real window to plan, test, and execute your upgrade without scrambling or cutting corners.
What do you actually get with Percona’s MySQL 8.0 EOL support?
Security updates and bug fixes. Even after Oracle steps away, Percona keeps the updates coming. We’re talking real fixes for new and old security issues, including custom backported patches you won’t get anywhere else.
Help, any time you need it. Something breaks in the middle of the night? No problem. You get 24/7 support, fast escalation, and super-quick responses as low as 15 minutes for critical issues.
Care that’s focused on you. Whether you need performance tuning, health checks, or advice on how to design your schema and replication, Percona’s got you. It’s not just for emergencies. We’ll help you keep things running smoothly for the long haul.
Early warnings, not just quick fixes. You’ll always know about new threats and how they might affect you. No more getting blindsided.
Reports on additional CVE testing: You’ll receive regular reports on security testing and extra validation, so you always know where you stand.
Percona Managed Subscription perks: Get regular reviews, tailored advice, and hands-on help, even for the most complicated environments.
Who is extended support for?
- Companies with complex systems that just can’t rush an upgrade
- Teams managing a bunch of databases that need more time to plan
- Folks with strict compliance rules
- Anyone who wants to upgrade on their own schedule
What makes Percona’s approach different?
Percona is all about open source and real flexibility. No contracts that trap you. No surprise fees. Just the freedom to run your databases your way.
And support? It’s not just ticket-chasing. Percona experts actually get to know your environment. They offer real advice and jump on what’s urgent for your business. It’s a partnership, not just a help desk.
Professional extended support means less stress, more security, and time to do things the right way. You can relax knowing you’re covered until you’re ready to make your next move.
Upgrading to Percona Server for MySQL 8.4: Why moving forward pays off
While extended support provides breathing room, upgrading to Percona Server for MySQL 8.4 is the long-term solution. The latest version offers genuine improvements that benefit both operations and business performance.
So, why jump to 8.4 now?
- Better security and compliance: MySQL 8.4 introduces stronger security features and protections, giving you peace of mind knowing your database is supported and meets today’s compliance standards.
- Performance gains: The latest optimizations to the InnoDB storage engine and other core improvements can make your workloads run faster and more efficiently.
- Fewer headaches: MySQL 8.4 has addressed many pain points from previous versions, improving the user experience for both administrators and developers.
- Reduced technical debt: Every day spent on an old version means more catch-up later. Moving forward now helps you avoid the pile-up of deprecated features and unsupported code.
How Percona helps you get there
So, how does Percona actually help you make the move? Upgrading a database is never as easy as just clicking “install.” That’s why Percona’s upgrade services are built to take the stress out of the whole process. First, our experts dig into your environment from top to bottom (think apps, operating systems, libraries, you name it) to catch any problems before you even get started. If you’ve got apps that rely on features that are about to disappear, Percona will help you update or replace those parts, so you don’t have to worry about breaking production.
When it’s time to actually upgrade, the Percona team scripts and manages the process to keep downtime as short as possible. They focus on making the transition as smooth as they can, so your business keeps running even while things are changing behind the scenes. And after you’re up and running on Percona Server for MySQL 8.4, we don’t just disappear. We stick around to help with proactive monitoring, performance tweaks, and regular maintenance, so you’re set up for success going forward.
Sounds a little less stressful, right?
Which path is right for you?
Deciding what to do after MySQL 8.0’s end of life comes down to knowing your team’s strengths, your business goals, and how much risk you’re willing to carry. Use this quick checklist to get a sense of what path makes the most sense for your situation:
Decision checklist:
☐ Are you totally okay with taking on all the risk if things go sideways, such as security issues, downtime, or compliance issues?
☐ Does your team have serious MySQL skills and plenty of time to handle patching, incident response, and compliance work?
☐ Is your database not all that crucial, or would you be fine if it suddenly went down for a bit?
If you hesitate to check any of these boxes, consider professional support or a guided upgrade. Here’s how the options compare at a glance:
If you want to talk through these options, Percona’s team is always happy to offer honest advice. No pressure, just real answers to help you make the best decision for your business.
Get MySQL 8.0 EOL support that fits your next move
MySQL 8.0 reaching end of life is a big moment for your database plans. Maybe you want to squeeze a little more life out of your current setup, or maybe you’re thinking it’s time to start planning that upgrade. Either way, taking time to weigh your options is smart, and having trusted specialists to guide you through the process makes a real difference.
If your priority is staying safe and stable on MySQL 8.0, see how Percona’s EOL support can keep your environment protected. If you’re ready to move forward, explore Percona’s upgrade services for a smooth transition to Percona Server for MySQL 8.4. No matter which path you choose, you’ll have a team of experts focused on keeping you secure, compliant, and fully in control, every step of the way.
Expert Support for Your Approach to MySQL 8.0 EOL
