NixOS 21.05 End of Life
Support dates and upgrade guidance — rebuilt from live data.
NixOS 21.05 reached end of life on 31 Dec 2021. It no longer receives security fixes.
Support timeline
Official dates from the NixOS release process.
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Initial release | 31 May 2021 | — |
| End of life | 31 Dec 2021 | 4.6 years ago |
| Latest release | — | final |
Where to go from 21.05
Recommended target: NixOS 26.05 (supported until 31 Dec 2026).
The newest actively supported branch is NixOS 26.05 (latest release ).
Frequently asked questions
Is NixOS 21.05 still safe to use?
NixOS 21.05 reached end of life on 31 Dec 2021, 1,682 days ago, and is no longer covered by standard support. Running it means no guaranteed security fixes.
Can I still download NixOS 21.05?
Yes — the final release (21.05) generally remains available from vendor archives and OS package mirrors, but installing it means running software with known, unpatched vulnerabilities.
What should I upgrade NixOS 21.05 to?
Upgrade to NixOS 26.05, the newest actively supported branch (supported until 31 Dec 2026).