Container Service for Kubernetes provides container-centric solutions based on open source Kubernetes. As new Kubernetes versions are released, new Kubernetes versions will be added to the list of Kubernetes versions supported by ACS. This topic describes how ACS supports different Kubernetes versions.
Release notes
The following table describes the Kubernetes versions supported by ACS.
Version | Description | Status | Release date | Expiration date |
1.31 | Released | December 2024 | December 2025 Important ACS supports Kubernetes 1.31 and all later versions. The list of supported Kubernetes versions will be updated every year. | |
1.30 | Released | August 2024 | June 2026 | |
1.28 | Released | June 2024 | October 2025 | |
1.26 | Released | June 2024 | April 2025 |
The preceding release dates indicate the time from when ACS starts to support the corresponding Kubernetes versions. To view the actual expiration dates of these versions, refer to the expiration dates of the Kubernetes versions supported by Container Service for Kubernetes. For more information, see Release notes for Kubernetes versions supported by ACK.
Version description
 | Starting from Kubernetes 1.31, ACS versions use the x.y.z-aliyun.n format. The previous versions still use the x.y.z-aliyunacs.n format. x.y.z is the open source Kubernetes version. x is the major version, y is the major version, z is the patch version, and n is the ACS patch version. For example, version 1.31.1-aliyun.1 is based on open source Kubernetes 1.31.1. For more information about Kubernetes versions, see Kubernetes Release Versioning. |
Rules for supporting Kubernetes versions
Cluster creation
ACS allows you to create clusters of the latest three major versions. For example, the latest major versions are Kubernetes 1.28, 1.30, and 1.31. When ACS starts to support Kubernetes 1.31, you can no longer create clusters of Kubernetes 1.26. In addition, the outdated patch versions are no longer available.
Technical support
ACS provides technical support for versions that are still available. Technical support provided by Alibaba Cloud includes consultation, online tutorials, and troubleshooting.
Risks of outdated Kubernetes versions
ACS provides the following support policies for clusters that run outdated Kubernetes versions:
Stop releasing new features
Stop fixing feature and security issues
Provide limited technical support
ACS does not guarantee that technical support can be provided at the first time except for issues related to component updates.