Time to Bail · Boarding pass
Check. You can stay.
Ubuntu-latest moves to Ubuntu 26.04 from October 19, 2026. Pin ubuntu-24.04 if a job needs the old image.[1]
Act means: change a setting or plan before the date. You can stay.
GitHub's ubuntu-latest moves to Ubuntu 26.04 from October 19, 2026
From October 19, 2026, GitHub moves the ubuntu-latest label to Ubuntu 26.04. The move takes several weeks and should end by November 19, 2026. GitHub calls it a breaking change for jobs that need Ubuntu 24.04 software.
One email with the first steps. Nothing else.
Or add the date to your calendar: Apple or Outlook (.ics) · Google Calendar
Tick steps as you go. Your progress stays in this browser.
Run your main workflows once with runs-on: ubuntu-26.04.
Set runs-on: ubuntu-24.04 for jobs that need the old image.
Fix the broken steps, then move those jobs back to ubuntu-latest.
One email with the first steps. Nothing else.
Or add the date to your calendar: Apple or Outlook (.ics) · Google Calendar
| Rollout starts | October 19, 2026[1] |
|---|---|
| Planned finish | November 19, 2026[1] |
| What changes | The x64 ubuntu-latest label points to Ubuntu 26.04 instead of Ubuntu 24.04[1] |
| Who may break | Workflows that depend on Ubuntu 24.04 software, package versions, system libraries, compilers or prebuilt binaries[1] |
| To keep the old image | Use the ubuntu-24.04 label[1] |
| To test early | Use the ubuntu-26.04 label[1] |
| Also affects | Azure DevOps[1] |
| Announced | September 17, 2026[1] |
| Jobs on ubuntu-latest | Move to Ubuntu 26.04 during the rollout[1] |
Check it yourself. Every fact above links here.
Time to bail on GitHub Actions jobs on ubuntu-latest? Check. You can stay. Ubuntu-latest moves to Ubuntu 26.04 from October 19, 2026. Pin ubuntu-24.04 if a job needs the old image.
On our scale this is Act: change a setting or plan before the date. You can stay.
From October 19, 2026, GitHub moves the ubuntu-latest label to Ubuntu 26.04. The move takes several weeks and should end by November 19, 2026. GitHub calls it a breaking change for jobs that need Ubuntu 24.04 software.
Here are the facts we checked:
You can stay on GitHub Actions. You have to change a setting or plan before the date.
Leaving is a choice here, not a must.
GitHub is the main source for this page. GitHub Actions has not said more than what is listed here. If a fact is not on this page, we do not know it yet.
Jobs on ubuntu-latest: Move to Ubuntu 26.04 during the rollout.
The date to remember is October 19, 2026. Make the change before then.
A few tips:
If the change affects your members or team, send one short email. Say what changes for them and when. Put the most important line first.
If there is a date, send a short reminder a few days before it. Keep a copy of the list you sent it to.
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People on GitHub Actions jobs on ubuntu-latest can stay if they make the change. Some would rather leave. Get the playbook for this change, and list your product here.
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