IBM AIX End of Support Dates by Version
IBM AIX end of support dates: 12 versions are listed below. 9 are already past IBM's end of support, most recently AIX 7.3 TL1 on Dec 31, 2025; the next to end is AIX 7.3 TL2 on Nov 30, 2026. IBM sells IBM Service Extension for a limited period after that date. Third-party support keeps any of these versions in production after the vendor date, with 24x7 incident response, vulnerability mitigation and compliance documentation, typically at 40-70% below the vendor's renewal.
IBM AIX versions and end of support dates
"Vendor end of support" is the date IBM stops free fixes and security updates. "Extended end" is the end of the paid extension where IBM offers one. Each version links to its own page and quote form.
| Version | Vendor end of support | |
|---|---|---|
| AIX 7.3 TL4 | Dec 31, 2028 | Get support |
| AIX 7.3 TL3 | Dec 31, 2027 | Get support |
| AIX 7.3 TL2 | Nov 30, 2026 | Get support |
| AIX 7.3 TL1 | Dec 31, 2025 | Get support |
| AIX 7.3 TL0 | Dec 31, 2024 | Get support |
| AIX 7.1 TL5 | Apr 30, 2023 | Get support |
| AIX 7.2 TL4 | Nov 30, 2022 | Get support |
| AIX 7.2 TL3 | Sep 30, 2021 | Get support |
| AIX 7.2 TL2 | Oct 31, 2020 | Get support |
| AIX 7.2 TL1 | Nov 30, 2019 | Get support |
| AIX 7.2 TL0 | Dec 31, 2018 | Get support |
| AIX 6.1 TL9 | Apr 30, 2017 | Get support |
1 further IBM AIX entry in the catalog has no published date: AIX 7.2 TL5.
Why IBM AIX versions stay in production
AIX runs on Power Systems in banks, telcos, manufacturers and public bodies where the applications are older than most of the staff. Each AIX release has Technology Levels with their own end-of-service dates, and IBM sells a Service Extension for a limited period after that.
An AIX LPAR at a stable Technology Level is one of the lowest-risk systems in a data centre. The question at end of service is purely commercial: pay IBM's extension, upgrade the TL, or take third-party support.
How IBM's support lifecycle works for IBM AIX
IBM announces the end of service for each AIX Technology Level and offers a paid Service Extension afterwards for a limited period. Software Maintenance (SWMA) is the AIX equivalent of S&S; without it IBM will not take a case or ship fixes. The operating system licence is tied to the Power hardware and continues.
Hardware maintenance on the Power server is a separate contract, which can also be third-party; the two decisions are independent.
What changes on the end of support date
- IBM stops shipping service packs, security fixes and APARs for the Technology Level.
- Support cases are refused without a Service Extension.
- The LPARs, VIOS and applications keep running at the current level.
Your options after IBM AIX end of support
1. Upgrade to a supported version
Right when the application above it is ready and the budget exists. Wrong as a forced move: an upgrade driven by a support date rather than a business need is where regression bugs and surprise licence costs come from.
2. Buy IBM Service Extension
IBM's paid extension buys more time at a price that rises each year and typically covers security fixes only. It keeps the deadline in place and is often the most expensive line in the renewal.
3. Third-party support
Replaces the vendor contract with ours for the versions you run, with no deadline. For IBM AIX that covers:
- AIX, VIOS and LPAR incidents, performance and storage issues, 24x7
- Workarounds for known APARs after IBM stops issuing fixes
- Vulnerability assessment and mitigation for new AIX and OpenSSL/OpenSSH CVEs
- Hardware maintenance for the Power Systems server under the same contract if you want it
Not included: new vendor patches or licences. Those stay with IBM; everything operational moves to us.
IBM AIX end of support: frequently asked questions
Which IBM AIX versions are out of support?
AIX 7.3 TL1 (Dec 31, 2025), AIX 7.3 TL0 (Dec 31, 2024), AIX 7.1 TL5 (Apr 30, 2023), AIX 7.2 TL4 (Nov 30, 2022), AIX 7.2 TL3 (Sep 30, 2021), AIX 7.2 TL2 (Oct 31, 2020), AIX 7.2 TL1 (Nov 30, 2019), AIX 7.2 TL0 (Dec 31, 2018) and 1 earlier versions. All of them can be covered by third-party support.
Can an AIX Technology Level past IBM end of service stay supported?
Yes. Third-party support covers AIX, VIOS and LPAR incidents with vulnerability mitigation for as long as you run that level, and can include the Power hardware.
Do we need IBM SWMA to keep running AIX?
No. The AIX licence continues with the hardware. SWMA buys IBM fixes and support, which third-party support replaces for operational purposes.
What does third-party support for IBM AIX cost?
Typically 40 to 70% below the vendor renewal or extended-support price for the same versions, priced per instance, server or core depending on the product. We return an indicative price within 24 hours and a firm quote within 48.
How do we move IBM AIX to third-party support without a gap?
Start before the vendor renewal date: inventory versions and instances, download all media and fixes you are entitled to, confirm no bundled contract depends on the renewal, then let the vendor support lapse as ours starts. We handle the hand-over checklist with you.
Version-by-version guides
- IBM AIX 7.3 TL2 EOL 2026: Last-Call Plan (Aug 30, 2026)
- IBM AIX 7.3 TL2 End of Life: November 30, 2026 (May 30, 2026)
- AIX 7.3 TL2 EOL Nov 30, 2026: 3 Paths for IT Leaders (Feb 28, 2026)
- IBM AIX 7.3 TL1 EOL 2025: Risks & 3rd-Party Support (Dec 31, 2025)
- IBM AIX 7.3 TL2 EOL Nov 30, 2026 – Budget & Save 40-70% (Oct 30, 2025)
- IBM AIX 7.3 TL1 End of Life: Action Plan (Dec 31, 2025) (Sep 30, 2025)
- AIX 7.3 TL1 EOL Dec 31, 2025 — Migration Window Closing (Jun 30, 2025)
- IBM AIX 7.3 TL1 End of Life: 3 Options for Dec 31, 2025 (Mar 31, 2025)