Subscription PolarDB clusters expire on a fixed date. If a cluster is not renewed before expiry, it is stopped and locked and cannot be accessed. After the cluster has been stopped for 15 days, it is released and backup sets (except remote data backup sets) are deleted. This page explains the two renewal methods and what happens to a cluster after it expires.
Pay-as-you-go PolarDB clusters do not expire and do not require renewal.
Alibaba Cloud sends notifications before your subscription cluster expires. Renew your cluster early to prevent business interruptions.
Renewal methods
PolarDB supports two renewal methods for subscription clusters. The renewal cost is the same as the original purchase cost.
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Auto-renewal | Clusters that must stay available without manual intervention |
| Manual renewal | One-time or irregular renewal needs |
Auto-renewal
When auto-renewal is enabled, the system charges your Alibaba Cloud account based on the following schedule:
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| First charge attempt | 08:00:00 on the ninth day before the cluster expires |
| Retry attempts | Once per day for the next two days if the first attempt fails |
| Maximum attempts | 3 total (1 initial + 2 retries) |
Keep a sufficient account balance. If all three attempts fail, manually renew the cluster before it expires to prevent downtime and data loss.
Manual renewal
After a subscription cluster expires, the system retains the cluster for a period before releasing it. During this period, you can manually renew the cluster. Charges are deducted from your Alibaba Cloud account immediately upon renewal.
Cluster expiration timeline
After a subscription cluster expires, it goes through the following states:
| State | When | Details | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locked | After expiry | The cluster is stopped and locked. It cannot be accessed. | Manually renew the cluster to restore it to its normal state immediately. |
| Released | 15 days after the cluster is stopped | The cluster is released. Backup sets, except remote data backup sets, are deleted. | Released data cannot be restored. |