Zoom Software Quarterly Lifecycle Policy


As of November 2022, Zoom will enforce a new minimum version every 3 months (the first weekend of February, May, August, and November). For each new enforced minimum version, we will also provide the next version Zoom will be enforcing and the exact date of that enforcement. Additionally, Zoom will make an effort to support a given version of the client for at least 9-months before it is considered for end of life, at which point users will be prompted to update to the minimum version or higher.

This change is in line with industry practices and designed to help ensure that Zoom users receive the latest Zoom features, as well as any privacy and security enhancements we make to the platform. Please note that while there will be a minimum Zoom client version required, we may require additional updates outside of this release window to address additional security or compliance features. We encourage customers to refer to our release notes for any included security enhancements or Security Bulletins to learn more about fixed issues.

The table below identifies the minimum versions of each Zoom product required on the dates as noted:

ProductCurrent
enforcement
Next
enforcement
Following
enforcement
February 3, 2024May 4, 2024August 3, 2024
Zoom client

(Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Intune, and Blackberry)

5.14.5 (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Intune)

 

5.14.0 (Blackberry)

5.15.5 (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Intune)


5.15.0 (Blackberry)

TBA
Zoom Rooms
(including Zoom Room Controllers, Scheduling Displays, and Zoom Room Whiteboards)

5.14.5 (Windows, macOS, iOS devices and controllers, appliances)

 

5.13.5 (Android controllers)

5.14.5 (Windows, macOS, iOS devices and controllers, Android controllers, appliances)TBA
Zoom Phone Appliances5.14.55.14.5TBA
Outlook plugin (A)5.11.05.11.0TBA
VDI client5.13.05.14.0TBA
VDI plugin5.11.95.13.0TBA
Virtual Room Connector5.9.8827.202212305.9.8827.20221230TBA
Meetings Connector4.8.20230316.1634.8.20240130.361TBA
Recording Connector5.1.4.169.202305115.1.4.169.20230511TBA

Meeting SDK (Native)

(Windows, macOS, Android, iOS)

5.14.55.15.5TBA
Video SDK (Native)1.6.21.7.5TBA

Meeting SDK (Web)

2.12.02.15.0TBA

Video SDK (Web)

1.6.01.7.5TBA

Zoom Contact Center SDK (Native)(Android and iOS)

2.6.02.7.0TBA

Zoom Node

1.2.0.2628

Almalinux8 (OVA): 2.1.0.20230423054934

 

Almalinux9 (OVA): 2.3.0.20230715.9

 

Almalinux9 (KVM): 2.3.0.20230715.1

 

Ubuntu 22.04 (KVM): 3.0.0.20231201

 

Ubuntu 22.04 (OVA): 3.0.0.20231201

TBA

Zoom Node - Meeting Connector ZC

n/a4.8.20230316.163TBA

Zoom Node - Meeting Connector MMR

n/a4.6.20230222.399TBA

Zoom Phone Local Survivability (ZPLS) module

1.12.02.6.0.147TBA

Notes:

As always, we recommend you regularly download and update to the latest version of the Zoom software by checking for updates within the Zoom client or by navigating to zoom.us/download to take advantage of all Zoom’s latest security and functionality features. Users on older versions of Zoom may be at risk for bugs and vulnerabilities that have been resolved in more recent versions.

See the Zoom Marketplace Developer documentation for information about the SDK minimum version policy.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Zoom utilizing a quarterly minimum version schedule?

As a best practice, customers should always be on the latest version of any software they are using as each release includes important feature updates, enhancements, and bug fixes. We understand that it isn’t always possible for organizations to update all employees and need additional time for software reviews. With this in mind, we are updating the minimum client version every 3 months. We will provide 90-days notice for the next minimum version requirements, which are detailed in the chart above.

Does this new release window include all Zoom products and services (Zoom Phone, CRC, etc.) or only the Zoom Client?

This policy will affect the Zoom client for meetings (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Blackberry, and Intune), Zoom Rooms (including Whiteboards and Zoom Room Controllers), Zoom Phone Appliances, Outlook Plug-in, Browser Extensions, VDI Client and Plugin, Virtual Room Connector, Meetings Connector, Recording Connector, Meeting SDK, and Video SDK.

Which Zoom Room Devices will be required to be updated?

All devices (Mac, Windows, and Android) running Zoom Rooms software will be required to be updated by each enforcement date. 

Will users be able to use Zoom Chat, Zoom Phone, Zoom Meetings, Zoom Webinars, etc. when using an unsupported version after the enforcement date?

Starting with the February 2023 enforcement and on the date of each new enforcement, users on a client below the minimum version will be signed-out of their client. They must update to the minimum version or higher before they are able to sign in to their Zoom account again and regain full access Zoom features. Zoom Phone users will not be able to make or receive calls, including emergency 911 calls. Zoom Room devices will be placed in Maintenance Mode, with a notification that an admin must update the device. 

What happens when customers are approaching the minimum version and do not update in time?

Customers will be prompted to update the Zoom meeting client to the current minimum version before they can sign in or join a meeting/webinar. If unable to immediately update, they will be provided the option to join a meeting through the web client instead. Users will only receive a notification if the Zoom client is below the minimum version.

If you have prompts disabled at the device level, the administrator will be responsible for applying updates. For other products, such as the Zoom extensions for Chrome and Firefox or the Zoom Room, the scheduling functionality will be disabled and a warning will be displayed.

What should users/admins expect to see if the installed version is below the minimum enforced version?

Refer to this support article for more details and screenshots of expected error messages.

How often will there be new releases?

Zoom releases bundled updates regularly to help mitigate backwards compatibility issues for most products, and because of these regular release cadences, there will be multiple versions available between the minimum version and the latest version. To see historic release cycles, please refer to our release notes.

Are there any other enforcements we should be aware of? 

Besides Zoom enforcing a minimum version for our various clients, there are other changes to system prerequisites to be aware of and prepared for. For example, the Zoom desktop client ended support for macOS Yosemite (10.10) as of the 5.15.0 release. These client prerequisites are detailed on their respective support articles, such as the system prerequisites for Windows, macOS, and Linux, the Zoom Room system requirements, and others. 

Zoom has established an End-of-Life Support Guideline for certified Zoom Rooms devices and Zoom Phone appliances regarding hardware end-of-sales and Zoom’s estimated support timeline. Learn more about the Zoom Rooms devices and Zoom Phone appliances End-of-Life Support Guideline.

How long can customers expect a given version release to be supported?

Zoom will make an effort to support a given version for at least 9-months before it falls below the minimum version.

How can customers see which versions their users are running?

As an admin or owner you can view which versions users on your account are running through the Dashboard or within the user management portal by filtering by client type. Individual users can check the version directly in the desktop client and mobile app.

Do customers have the ability to choose which version they would like to be on?

No, Zoom only provides the latest version through the client and our website.

Am I secure if I’m not on the latest version of Zoom?

Zoom is committed to enhancing the security of its products and services, and protecting customers from external threats. We recommend users use the latest Zoom software with all current security updates. Users can easily check for updates and upgrade by visiting our website. We always encourage customers to look at our release notes for any included security enhancements. Customers can also look at our Security Bulletins to learn more about fixed issues.

What happens if a major vulnerability is detected and fixed? Will Zoom deploy additional updates and/or make forced updates?

In the case of an urgent security or other matter, Zoom may choose to release a forced or prompted update, and customers will have to update to the latest version of the client to be on the most secure version. Zoom reserves the right to release or push out forced, off-schedule updates to help keep customers secure.

Why is the Zoom ChromeOS app not listed? 

As support for ChromeOS apps are being phased out across all operating systems, Zoom began ending support for its Chrome OS App in August 2022. Learn more about this timeframe and how to migrate to the Zoom Web App

Frequently asked questions regarding VDI

I cannot update my Zoom Room or VDI client myself. How can I have my Zoom Room or VDI client updated?

Zoom Rooms and VDI clients can only be updated by account admins. Admins can remotely update the Zoom Room software through the Zoom web portal, while the VDI client is deployed through your VDI environment.

Are VDI Plugins required to be updated with the VDI Meeting Client as well?

Yes, the VDI Plugin and Meeting Client must be updated with each enforcement, with the minimum version detailed in the chart above. Customers are strongly encouraged to upgrade the VDI Plugin to the same version as the VDI client to benefit from the latest improvements in performance and new features.

Are patch releases also supported for 9 months?

As of December 2023, VDI will release one scheduled version per release branch, a 5.X.10 release. This release contains all the VDI-supported features for that entire release branch of the main desktop client, including enhancements, and bug fixes from the main desktop client’s 5.X.0 and 5.X.5 releases.

Any releases outside of these scheduled releases (5.X.11, 5.X.12, etc) are typically considered extension patch (EP) releases. These releases will remain on the same release branch and generally include only additional bug fixes, compatibility issues with virtual environments, and security enhancements found in that branch. This allows accounts with intensive testing and review processes to avoid having to start or restart a review process in order to resolve current issues and vulnerabilities. These releases are noted as (EP) releases in VDI release notes and VDI Downloads page

Because these patch releases can be developed and released months after the scheduled release of that branch, Zoom cannot reasonably continue supporting these branches longer than already expected. As such, patch releases will generally have the same lifecycle as the scheduled release they are based on. For example, a 5.X.13 patch, released 3 months after the 5.X.10 release, would be affected by the same lifecycle enforcement as the 5.X.10 version, even though it had only been available for 6 months. 

Learn more about Zoom’s VDI release cycle

Will VDI client/plugins only be supported for 9-months?

Due to technical limitations and considerations, many products will be supported beyond 9 months, but this is the minimum we are striving for. For example, at the first enforcement date, the supported VDI client and plugin will be 18 months old and we will strive to maintain this lifespan for VDI clients and plugins, but Zoom reserves the right to change this policy in the future. Zoom still encourages account admins to keep Zoom products as up-to-date as possible.

For more information, see the managing VDI minimum client versions article.

What VDI versions can I expect to be enforced beyond the upcoming enforcement?

Zoom understands that some customers require testing and updating processes for maintaining their VDI environments that extend beyond the 90-day notice of the next specific versions to be enforced. To aid with this, Zoom is providing a proposed longer-term outlook of VDI versions we anticipate to be enforced through the end of 2024.

Proposed VDI client and plugin version enforcements 2024