Ubuntu 16.04 LTS: End of Security Support and Your Options

If you're still relying on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus), now is the time to act. As of April 2026, Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) for this release has come to an end, meaning your system no longer receives security patches. Originally launched in April 2016, Ubuntu 16.04 enjoyed five years of standard support, with an additional five years of security coverage through ESM via Ubuntu Pro. Without these updates, your system is vulnerable to new threats. Below we answer common questions about this situation and what you can do next.

What exactly happened to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS support?

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS reached the end of its Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) period in April 2026. ESM was an extension that provided critical security patches for five years beyond the standard support window. With ESM expired, no further security updates are being released for the 16.04 base system, kernel, or core applications unless you pay for an additional support contract.

How long did Ubuntu 16.04 LTS receive support?

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS was released in April 2016. It received five years of standard free support, which ended in April 2021. After that, Canonical offered an additional five years of security coverage through Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) for Ubuntu Pro subscribers. In total, that's ten years of support from initial release, ending altogether in April 2026.

What is Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) and why did it end?

ESM is a paid service from Canonical that delivers critical security patches for the base operating system, kernel, and many software packages after the standard support period ends. For Ubuntu 16.04, ESM was available for five extra years, giving enterprise users time to migrate. It ended in April 2026 because the ten-year lifecycle for this release is complete. Without an active ESM subscription, no new fixes are provided.

What options do I have now that security updates have stopped?

You have three main choices: upgrade to a newer Ubuntu LTS release (recommended), purchase an extended support contract from Canonical (such as Legacy Support), or continue using 16.04 unsupported (highly risky). The safest and most future-proof option is to upgrade in stages to a supported LTS like 20.04 or 22.04. If you absolutely cannot upgrade, you might consider migrating to a different Linux distribution that still supports your hardware.

Is there a direct upgrade path from Ubuntu 16.04 to a newer LTS?

No, there is no direct upgrade from Ubuntu 16.04 to 20.04 or 22.04. Because the release cycle skips intermediate versions, you must first upgrade to Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, and then to 20.04 LTS (or jump to 22.04 after 18.04). This staged process is necessary to ensure compatibility. You can also do a fresh install of a newer version, which is often easier.

What happens if I continue using unsupported Ubuntu 16.04?

Your system will no longer receive security patches, making it increasingly vulnerable to malware, exploits, and cyberattacks. Software repositories may stop working, and you won't get bug fixes for core components. Over time, third-party applications and libraries will drop support for the older packages. Compliance regulations (e.g., PCI-DSS, HIPAA) may also require using supported operating systems.

How do I upgrade from Ubuntu 16.04 to a supported version?

Begin by backing up your data. Then, run do-release-upgrade to move from 16.04 to 18.04 LTS. Once on 18.04, update packages and run the same command to upgrade to 20.04 LTS or 22.04 LTS. Alternatively, perform a fresh installation of your target release. Canonical provides detailed guides on the official Ubuntu website. After upgrading, enable Ubuntu Pro for free (up to 5 machines) to get continued security patches for the new release.

Can I still pay for security updates on Ubuntu 16.04?

Yes, Canonical offers Legacy Support contracts that extend security patches for older releases beyond the usual ESM window. This is a paid service designed for organizations that cannot upgrade immediately. Contact Canonical sales for pricing and terms. However, this is a temporary solution—eventually you must migrate to a supported release.