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ApsaraDB RDS:How to ensure real-time data reads with RDS for MySQL read/write splitting

Last Updated:Aug 20, 2026

ApsaraDB RDS transmits binary logs between the primary and read-only instances in real time. Under normal conditions, reads from a read-only instance have no latency. However, MySQL's replication mechanism has a fundamental constraint: if binary logs take a long time to apply, data synchronization latency occurs. This constraint cannot be removed. To minimize synchronization latency, use a read-only instance whose specifications are equal to or higher than those of the primary instance.

How the latency threshold works

ApsaraDB RDS lets you set a latency threshold to protect read quality when replication falls behind:

  • If a read-only instance's latency exceeds the threshold, ApsaraDB RDS stops forwarding requests to that instance.

  • If all read-only instances exceed the threshold, ApsaraDB RDS routes all requests to the primary instance — even if the primary instance has a non-zero read weight configured.

For more information, see Overview of read-only ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instances.

Force real-time reads to the primary instance

When read/write splitting is enabled, use the /*FORCE_MASTER*/ hint to route a specific SQL statement directly to the primary instance:

/*FORCE_MASTER*/ SELECT * FROM table_name;

Use this hint for queries that must read the latest committed data immediately after a write — for example, reading a record right after inserting or updating it.