Reg: Next.js Version 15 - LTS - Help

Hi Team,

We are currently using Next.js 15.3.9. According to the official Next.js Support Policy, each major version remains in Maintenance LTS for two years following its initial release. Version 15.x was released on October 21, 2024, which means it will reach end-of-life on October 21, 2026.

Could you please advise on the following:

Is there a planned release date for Next.js 17?
If we are planning to continue with Next.js 16 instead, what is the official support timeline for version 15 beyond October 2026?

Thanks

Hi There,

Following up on my previous query—could you please provide an update? We are at a critical decision point regarding the Next.js upgrade.

Context: Due to an upcoming business decision, this project is likely to be placed on hold for new development over the next few years. This means we need to finalise our version strategy now, as we may not have the resources to upgrade later.

With Next.js 15 reaching end-of-life on October 21, 2026, we need to decide:

Option A: Continue with Next.js 15 and accept the risk of no security patches after October 2026
Option B: Move to Next.js 16 now (which requires React 19.2+)

Please advise as soon as possible so we can make an informed decision and plan accordingly.

Hi Sundaramishacbe,

For a multi-year freeze, I would not plan around a Next.js 17 release date unless the Next.js team publishes one. The public support policy currently lists 16.x as Active LTS and 15.x as Maintenance LTS.

For 15.x, Maintenance LTS means critical bug fixes and essential security updates only. The policy also says each major remains in Maintenance LTS for two years following the initial release, so with 15.x released on Oct. 21, 2024, I’d plan as if Oct. 21, 2026 is the end of normal support for 15.x unless that policy changes.

There is a note that older/out-of-policy versions may be patched in rare circumstances depending on severity, but I would not use that as a roadmap assumption.

Given your project may be placed on hold for several years, Option B seems safer: upgrade to Next.js 16 while you still have engineering capacity, test it properly, and freeze on the newer supported line rather than freezing close to the end of 15.x support.

If you cannot move to 16 immediately, I’d at least upgrade from 15.3.9 to the latest 15.x Maintenance LTS patch and document that a major upgrade will still be needed before/around Oct. 2026.

The support policy page is here: https://nextjs.org/support-policy