FreeBSD 12.1 End of Life
Support dates and upgrade guidance — rebuilt from live data.
FreeBSD 12.1 reached end of life on 31 Jan 2021. It no longer receives security fixes.
Support timeline
Official dates from the FreeBSD release process.
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Initial release | 4 Nov 2019 | — |
| End of life | 31 Jan 2021 | 5.5 years ago |
| Latest release | — | final |
Where to go from 12.1
Recommended target: FreeBSD 15.1 (supported until 31 Mar 2027).
The newest actively supported branch is FreeBSD 15.1 (latest release ).
Frequently asked questions
Is FreeBSD 12.1 still safe to use?
FreeBSD 12.1 reached end of life on 31 Jan 2021, 2,016 days ago, and is no longer covered by standard support. Running it means no guaranteed security fixes.
Can I still download FreeBSD 12.1?
Yes — the final release (12.1) generally remains available from vendor archives and OS package mirrors, but installing it means running software with known, unpatched vulnerabilities.
What should I upgrade FreeBSD 12.1 to?
Upgrade to FreeBSD 15.1, the newest actively supported branch (supported until 31 Mar 2027).