timetobail

Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) · Forced move · Tracked since October 17, 2026 · Sources checked Oct 17

Time to bail on GKE clusters on version 1.35?

Time to Bail · Boarding pass

FromGKE clusters on version 1.35
ToYour pick

Act. You can stay.

Standard support for GKE 1.35 ends April 11, 2027. Then GKE upgrades the cluster, or the Extended channel fee starts.[1]

Act means: change a setting or plan before the date. You can stay.

Gate closes
End of standard support
Time left
175days
Status
Act

GKE 1.35 standard support ends April 11, 2027

Standard support for GKE version 1.35 ends on April 11, 2027. GKE then upgrades clusters that are not on the Extended channel. Clusters on the Extended channel can stay, for an extra fee per hour.

Email me 7 days before Apr 11

One email with the first steps. Nothing else.

Or add the date to your calendar: Apple or Outlook (.ics) · Google Calendar

What to do before April 11

Tick steps as you go. Your progress stays in this browser.

  1. Check your clusters

    In the console, check the version and release channel of each cluster. Look for 1.35.

  2. Upgrade on your own schedule

    Upgrade the control plane, then the node pools. Test your apps after each step.

  3. Or plan the Extended channel

    If you must stay, budget for the extra fee per cluster per hour.

Email me 7 days before Apr 11

One email with the first steps. Nothing else.

Or add the date to your calendar: Apple or Outlook (.ics) · Google Calendar

Facts we checked

Facts and their sources
End of standard supportApril 11, 2027[1]
VersionGKE 1.35[1]
If you do nothingGKE upgrades clusters that are not on the Extended channel to a supported minor version[3]
Nodes tooGKE also upgrades nodes on unsupported versions, even with auto-upgrade off[3]
Extended channel1.35 gets security patches until February 11, 2028[1]
Extended period fee$0.50 per cluster per hour, on top of $0.10, for a total of $0.60 per cluster per hour[2]
When the fee appliesAfter a cluster on the Extended channel reaches the end of standard support[2]
Next dateGKE 1.36 standard support ends August 9, 2027[1]
Can the dates change?Yes. Google says the dates are best-effort predictions and might be delayed[1]
Clusters on 1.35Upgraded by GKE, or pay the extended fee, after April 11, 2027[1]

Sources

Check it yourself. Every fact above links here.

  1. GKE release schedule Google Cloud · primary · checked Oct 17
  2. Google Kubernetes Engine pricing Google Cloud · primary · checked Oct 17
  3. GKE versioning and support Google Cloud · primary · checked Oct 17
  4. Manually upgrading a cluster or node pool Google Cloud · primary · checked Oct 17
Read the published editorial report

What changed

Time to bail on GKE clusters on version 1.35? Act. You can stay. Standard support for GKE 1.35 ends April 11, 2027. Then GKE upgrades the cluster, or the Extended channel fee starts.

On our scale this is Act: change a setting or plan before the date. You can stay.

Standard support for GKE version 1.35 ends on April 11, 2027. GKE then upgrades clusters that are not on the Extended channel. Clusters on the Extended channel can stay, for an extra fee per hour.

Here are the facts we checked:

  • End of standard support: April 11, 2027 (Google Cloud)
  • Version: GKE 1.35 (Google Cloud)
  • If you do nothing: GKE upgrades clusters that are not on the Extended channel to a supported minor version (Google Cloud)
  • Nodes too: GKE also upgrades nodes on unsupported versions, even with auto-upgrade off (Google Cloud)
  • Extended channel: 1.35 gets security patches until February 11, 2028 (Google Cloud)
  • Extended period fee: $0.50 per cluster per hour, on top of $0.10, for a total of $0.60 per cluster per hour (Google Cloud)
  • When the fee applies: After a cluster on the Extended channel reaches the end of standard support (Google Cloud)
  • Next date: GKE 1.36 standard support ends August 9, 2027 (Google Cloud)
  • Can the dates change?: Yes. Google says the dates are best-effort predictions and might be delayed (Google Cloud)
  • Clusters on 1.35: Upgraded by GKE, or pay the extended fee, after April 11, 2027 (Google Cloud)

You can stay on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). You have to change a setting or plan before the date.

Leaving is a choice here, not a must.

Google Cloud is the main source for this page. Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) has not said more than what is listed here. If a fact is not on this page, we do not know it yet.

Who is affected

Clusters on 1.35: Upgraded by GKE, or pay the extended fee, after April 11, 2027.

The date to remember is April 11, 2027. Make the change before then.

What to do before April 11

  1. Check your clusters. In the console, check the version and release channel of each cluster. Look for 1.35.
  2. Upgrade on your own schedule. Upgrade the control plane, then the node pools. Test your apps after each step.
  3. Or plan the Extended channel. If you must stay, budget for the extra fee per cluster per hour.

A few tips:

  • Make the change yourself before the date. Do not wait for the last reminder email.
  • Write down your current plan or settings first, so you can compare after the change.
  • After the change, open your settings again and check that it worked.

How to tell your users

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.

Options people mention

Listed for convenience. Not ranked. Not paid. These names come up in threads and reviews; that does not show where people moved.

Before you pay, check the price page of each tool yourself. Prices change, and we only list what our sources say.

Questions people ask

No questions collected yet.

Sources

Thanks.

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People on GKE clusters on version 1.35 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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