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Guide · Ruby on RailsUpdated October 9, 2026

Rails versions: the latest release and every end-of-life date

One table for the Rails versions people still run: when each was released, when bug fixes and security fixes end, and the latest patch. Rails 8.1 is the current series, Rails 8.0 has security fixes until November 7, 2026, and Rails 7.2 ended with 7.2.4 on September 24, 2026.

Explore at your own pace

Open the section you need. The detail and sources are there when you want them.

01

Rails 8.1, 8.0 and 7.2 at a glance

Checked on October 9, 2026 against the Rails maintenance page, RubyGems and the Rails blog.

SeriesFirst releaseBug fixes untilSecurity fixes untilLatest release
8.1October 22, 2025October 10, 2026October 10, 20278.1.4 (September 24, 2026)
8.0November 7, 2024Ended May 7, 2026November 7, 20268.0.5.1 (July 29, 2026)
7.2August 9, 2024EndedEnded7.2.4 (September 24, 2026)

First release and latest release dates are RubyGems publication dates for 8.1.0, 8.0.0, 7.2.0, 8.1.4, 8.0.5.1 and 7.2.4. The bug-fix and security dates for 8.1 and 8.0 are from the maintenance page. For 7.2, the 7.2.4 release post says it is the last release of the series.

02

The dates, with sources

Latest Rails release
Rails 8.1.4, published September 24, 2026, together with 7.2.4. The newest 8.0 release is 8.0.5.1 from July 29, 2026. RubyGems: rails versions
Rails 8 release date
Rails 8.0.0 was published on November 7, 2024. Rails 8.1.0 followed on October 22, 2025. RubyGems: rails versions
Rails 8.1 end of life
Bug fixes until October 10, 2026 and security fixes until October 10, 2027. After the security window the series is unsupported. Ruby on Rails: Maintenance policy
Rails 8.0 end of life
Bug fixes ended May 7, 2026. Security fixes end November 7, 2026. Ruby on Rails: Maintenance policy
Rails 7.2
“Security issues and bug fixes will only be provided for the 8.0.x and 8.1.x series.” 7.2.4 is the last release of the 7.2.x series. Ruby on Rails blog: Rails version 7.2.4 has been released
The rule
Minor releases get bug fixes for one year and security fixes for two years after the first release in the series. Rails Guides: Maintenance policy for Ruby on Rails
03

What this means for your app

Rails 8.1 is the only series with both bug fixes and security fixes right now. Rails 8.0 is security-only and has weeks left. An app on Rails 7.2 or older gets no new releases at all, so a future security advisory will not come with a patched gem for it.

After a series ends, the maintenance policy says “there will be no new versions released”. Your app keeps running; the cost shows up the next time a vulnerability is published.

Rails 8.2 has no announced release date, so the supported target today is 8.1. If you are on 7.2, the Rails 8.1 release notes ask you to upgrade to 8.0 first, one minor version at a time.

04

Rails support timeline

  1. 2024-11-07

    Rails 8.0.0 released

    Published on RubyGems.

  2. 2025-10-22

    Rails 8.1.0 released

    Published on RubyGems.

  3. 2026-05-07

    Rails 8.0 bug fixes end

    8.0 gets security releases only.

  4. 2026-09-24

    Rails 7.2 ends, 8.1.4 released

    7.2.4 is the last 7.2 release.

  5. 2026-10-10

    Rails 8.1 bug fixes end

    8.1 continues with security fixes.

  6. 2026-11-07

    Rails 8.0 security fixes end

    No more 8.0 releases.

  7. 2027-10-10

    Rails 8.1 security fixes end

    End of life for the 8.1 series.

05

Which row are you on

  • Read the rails version in Gemfile.lock and match it to the table.
  • On 8.1: stay on the latest patch and plan the next minor before October 10, 2027.
  • On 8.0: schedule the 8.1 upgrade so it is live before November 7, 2026.
  • On 7.2 or older: plan the move through 8.0 to 8.1 as separate deploys.
  • Check that your Ruby version is still maintained: Rails 8.0 and 8.1 need Ruby 3.2.0 or newer, and Ruby 3.2 reached end of life on April 1, 2026.
06

Questions about Rails versions

What is the latest version of Rails?

Rails 8.1.4, published on September 24, 2026.

When was Rails 8 released?

Rails 8.0.0 was published on November 7, 2024.

When does Rails 8.1 reach end of life?

Its bug fixes end on October 10, 2026 and its security fixes end on October 10, 2027, according to the Rails maintenance page.

Is Rails 7.2 still supported?

No. Rails 7.2.4, published on September 24, 2026, is the last release of the series.

Which Rails version should a production app run?

Rails 8.1, the series that still gets security fixes through October 10, 2027.

07

More deadlines

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Sources

  1. Ruby on Rails: Maintenance policy
  2. RubyGems: rails versions
  3. Ruby on Rails blog: Rails version 7.2.4 has been released
  4. Rails Guides: Maintenance policy for Ruby on Rails

Checked October 9, 2026.