Guide · updated
AEM 6.5 end of support: every date that matters, 2026 to 2028
AEM 6.5 is no longer one deadline. Adobe set different end dates for Adobe Managed Services (AMS) customers and for on-premise customers, and added an extended-support window after that. Here is the timeline as Adobe publishes it, with what each date changes for your team.
The timeline
| Date | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 21 May 2026 | Service Pack 25 (6.5.25.0) released. | Adobe roadmap |
| 31 Aug 2026 | AEM 6.5 support ends for Adobe Managed Services customers. | Adobe roadmap |
| 19 Nov 2026 (target) | Service Pack 26 (6.5.26.0), the last supported service pack for AEM 6.5. | Adobe roadmap |
| 28 Feb 2027 | Core support for AEM 6.5 on-premise ends. Each service pack is supported for up to 18 months from release, until this date. | Adobe roadmap, 6.5 LTS FAQ |
| 28 Feb 2028 | Extended support (critical fixes only) ends. | Adobe KB ka-42541 |
Service Pack 26 was still a target release on the date this guide was checked. Confirm the release on Adobe's roadmap before planning around it.
What "end of core support" means in practice
- No new service packs after 6.5.26. Security fixes for libraries inside AEM stop arriving through the normal channel.
- Extended support until February 2028 covers critical fixes only. It is a bridge, not a platform strategy.
- Java 8 and 11 era dependencies in your code base stay where they are. Every month on 6.5 adds to the eventual migration.
- Security and compliance teams will flag unsupported software in audits, often before the date itself.
Your three real options
- Upgrade in place to AEM 6.5 LTS. Adobe made 6.5 LTS generally available in March 2025. It runs on Java 17 or 21 and is reachable from any supported 6.5 service pack. You keep your infrastructure and most of your code, but you still own upgrades and operations.
- Migrate to AEM as a Cloud Service. Adobe runs the platform and ships updates continuously. You must refactor code that relies on removed APIs, mutable /apps, custom run modes, Classic UI or replication agents.
- Rebuild on Edge Delivery Services. Best for marketing sites where page speed and authoring in documents or the Universal Editor matter more than reuse of existing components.
Many estates mix these: a quick LTS upgrade to stay supported, then a staged move of sites to Cloud Service or Edge Delivery. The readiness scan on this site tells you how much refactoring the Cloud Service path needs.
Questions
When does AEM 6.5 support end?
For Adobe Managed Services customers, support ended on 31 August 2026. For on-premise customers, core support ends on 28 February 2027, with extended support for critical fixes only until 28 February 2028.
What is the last AEM 6.5 service pack?
Adobe's roadmap names 6.5.26.0 as the last supported service pack for AEM 6.5, targeted for 19 November 2026.
Is AEM 6.5 LTS the same as AEM 6.5?
No. AEM 6.5 LTS is a separate branch, generally available since March 2025, that runs on Java 17 and 21 and receives new features. You upgrade to it from a supported 6.5 service pack.