# Asterisk 18 End of Life, Asterisk 21 Security Fix Only

**URL:** <https://community.asterisk.org/t/asterisk-18-end-of-life-asterisk-21-security-fix-only/110650>\
**Category:** Asterisk News\
**Created:** [October 21, 2025, 7:57am UTC](https://community.asterisk.org/t/asterisk-18-end-of-life-asterisk-21-security-fix-only/110650 "2025-10-21T07:57:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jcolp](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/asterisk/user_avatar/community.asterisk.org/jcolp/32/8848_2.png) [@jcolp](https://community.asterisk.org/u/jcolp)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 7:57am UTC](https://community.asterisk.org/t/asterisk-18-end-of-life-asterisk-21-security-fix-only/110650/1 "2025-10-21T07:57:22Z")

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From [https://www.asterisk.org/asterisk-18-now-end-of-life-asterisk-21-security-fix-only/](https://www.asterisk.org/asterisk-18-now-end-of-life-asterisk-21-security-fix-only/)

## Time Moves Ever Forward!

Two versions of Asterisk have now transitioned to new support status, check them out below!

### 🚫 Asterisk 18 Has Reached End of Life

Asterisk 18 was a Long Term Supported (LTS) release that is now officially **End of Life (EOL)**. This means it will no longer receive updates of any kind, including security patches or bug fixes. If you’re still running Asterisk 18, it’s time to plan your upgrade to a supported version to ensure your system remains secure and functional.

Please consider reviewing the details on what’s new and what’s changed between major versions since 18:

- [Asterisk 19.0.0 UPGRADE.txt](https://github.com/asterisk/asterisk/blob/19.0.0/UPGRADE.txt)

- [Asterisk 20.0.0 UPGRADE.txt](https://github.com/asterisk/asterisk/blob/20.0.0/UPGRADE.txt)

- [Asterisk 21.0.0 ChangeLog](https://github.com/asterisk/asterisk/blob/21.0.0/ChangeLogs/ChangeLog-21.0.0.md)

- [Asterisk 22.0.0 ChangeLog](https://github.com/asterisk/asterisk/blob/22.0.0/ChangeLogs/ChangeLog-22.0.0.md)

- [Asterisk 23.0.0 ChangeLog](https://github.com/asterisk/asterisk/blob/23.0.0/ChangeLogs/ChangeLog-23.0.0.md)

Of particular note is the [removal of **chan\_sip** in Asterisk 21](https://www.asterisk.org/asterisk-21-module-removal-chan_sip/) – and, therefore, all later versions like 22 and 23 – in favor of **chan\_pjsip**. Check your dial plan e.g. extensions.conf file for lines containing:

```auto
  Dial(SIP/...)

```

Because if you find them, then there’s going to be more work to do in Asterisk 22, as you convert to:

```auto
  Dial(PJSIP/...)

```

…and make additional necessary changes in other [configuration related to PJSIP](https://docs.asterisk.org/Configuration/Channel-Drivers/SIP/Configuring-res_pjsip/).

### 🛡 Asterisk 21 Enters Security Fix Only Status

Asterisk 21 is a standard release that has transitioned to **Security Fix Only (SFO)** status. While it will continue to receive critical security patches for one more year (until October 2026), no new features or non-security updates will be released.

### ✅ Stay Supported, Stay Secure

We strongly encourage all users to upgrade to a currently supported version of Asterisk. Staying up to date ensures you benefit from the latest features, performance enhancements, and – most importantly – security protections.

To help you plan your upgrade, check out the [related documentation](https://docs.asterisk.org/Operation/Maintenance-and-Upgrades/Updating-or-Upgrading-Asterisk/) and the official [Asterisk Versions page](https://docs.asterisk.org/About-the-Project/Asterisk-Versions/) which includes detailed support timelines and lifecycle information.

Let’s keep your toolkit for telephony applications robust and secure – upgrade today!

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**Author:** ![jcolp](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/asterisk/user_avatar/community.asterisk.org/jcolp/32/8848_2.png) [@jcolp](https://community.asterisk.org/u/jcolp)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 7:57am UTC](https://community.asterisk.org/t/asterisk-18-end-of-life-asterisk-21-security-fix-only/110650/2 "2025-10-21T07:57:59Z")

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