Debian, one of the most esteemed and widely used Linux distributions, has transitioned its version 11, codenamed ‘Bullseye,’ from regular security updates to a Long Term Support (LTS) phase as of August 15, 2024. This shift comes exactly three years after its initial release.
Distro’s approach to maintaining its various versions is structured to ensure stability and security for all its users. Let me explain. Each Debian release, including Bullseye, typically enjoys three years of regular support from its release teams, followed by two additional years under the LTS umbrella.
This makes the lifecycle predictable: five years of supported use from the release date.
For Bullseye, the regular support phase ended on August 14, 2024. The LTS phase will extend from August 15, 2024, until August 31, 2026. During this period, the Debian LTS Team will take over the responsibilities of the Security and Release teams, focusing solely on critical security updates and essential fixes.
With the commencement of Bullseyeโs LTS phase, users are encouraged to consider upgrading to Debian 12 ‘Bookworm,’ the current stable release. It will receive regular updates until June 10, 2026, and will transition to its own LTS phase until June 30, 2028.
If you’re not sure exactly how to upgrade, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Our tested and proven step-by-step guide will walk you seamlessly through upgrading your 11 ‘Bullseye’ system to 12 ‘Bookworm.’
Lastly, users need to be aware that while most packages are covered under LTS, some may not be supported. These can be identified by installing the “debian-security-support” package, which checks for and notifies users of any non-supported packages critical to their systems.
For more information, refer to the announcement.
