Zoom Software Quarterly Lifecycle Policy

Zoom enforces 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 app 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 policy is aligned 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 Workplace desktop and mobile app 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.

This article covers:

• Version enforcements for users and admins
• Version enforcements for developers
• Frequently asked questions about the Software Quarterly Lifecycle Policy

Version enforcements for users and admins

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

*Notes:

• Legacy Zoom Meeting Connector and Recording Connector products have reached end-of-life (EOL) and do not have a February 2025 version enforcement. 
• The Virtual Room Connector on-premise service is reaching end-of-life (EOL) and does not have a February 2025 version enforcement. Organizations utilizing the Virtual Room Connector will need to migrate to the Zoom Node Conference Room Connector Hybrid service or decommission their current VRC instances.

As always, we recommend you regularly download and update to the latest version of the Zoom software by checking for updates within the Zoom app or by navigating to the Download Center 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.

Version enforcements for developers

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

Notes:

• Native platforms are Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
• A: Meeting SDK for Unreal Engine depends on a compatible minimum version of Meeting SDK for Windows.
• B: Video SDK for Flutter and React Native depend on compatible minimum versions for Video SDK for Android or iOS. Video SDK for Unity depends on compatible minimum versions for Video SDK for your chosen native platform.

Frequently asked questions about the Software Quarterly Lifecycle Policy

Why is Zoom utilizing a quarterly minimum version schedule?

Zoom’s software quarterly lifecycle policy is designed to help ensure Zoom users receive the latest features, as well as any security and privacy enhancements we make to the platform. We support our customers in making educated decisions about risks to their own environments, and Zoom Security Bulletins exist to aid them in making those determinations. As always, we encourage customers to apply Zoom updates as they're released, and the Software Quarterly Lifecycle Policy sets a maximum limit for that delay.

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 app version every 3 months and 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 Workplace desktop and mobile apps?

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

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 Team Chat, Zoom Phone, Zoom Meetings, Zoom Webinars, etc. when using an unsupported version after the enforcement date?

On the date of each new enforcement, users on an app below the minimum version will be signed out of their app. 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 desktop or mobile app 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 app instead. Users will only receive a notification if the Zoom app 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 backward 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 app ended support for macOS Yosemite (10.10) as of the 5.15.0 release. These app 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 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 app 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 app 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 about the minimum version enforcements for 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 app, including enhancements and bug fixes from the main desktop app'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 the VDI release notes and VDI Downloads pages. 

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 2025.

Proposed VDI client and plugin version enforcements 2025