As part of the official Python support cycle defined by the Python Software Foundation (PSF), Python 3.9 is reaching its scheduled end-of-life in October 2025. Following this upstream timeline, Anaconda will  stop building new packages for Python 3.9 in our main channel of the Anaconda Distribution. 

Important: All existing Python 3.9 packages will remain available in our main channel. Your existing Python environments will continue working normally.

This end-of-life is controlled by the Python Software Foundation’s release schedule, not by Anaconda. As a downstream distributor, we align our support windows with the official Python maintenance timeline to ensure users receive properly maintained and secure software.

Why Python 3.9 Support Must Change

This transition is a part of the planned CPython upstream release cycle:

  1. No Security Updates: The Python Software Foundation will cease providing security patches for Python 3.9 after October 2025. Without upstream security fixes, we cannot guarantee the safety of the interpreter.
  2. Upstream Package Ecosystem: Most major Python packages will officially or semi-officially drop Python 3.9 support following its end-of-life. This means we cannot guarantee compatibility or stability for packages built against Python 3.9 going forward. For example, NumPy has already dropped 3.9 support, and many other core dependencies have done the same.

Key Dates

  • Anaconda End of Support Date: October 31, 2025
  • Last Security Fix: Python 3.9.24 released on October 9, 2025

What This Means for Users

After October 31, 2025:

  • Availability:
    • All Python interpreter packages for Python 3.9 (e.g., python=3.9.*) will remain available in the main channel. 
    • Packages built to work with Python 3.9 (also known as Python 3.9 “variants,” which include py39 in the filename) will remain available in the main channel. 
  • No Further Updates:
    • No additional patch releases for Python 3.9, including security fix releases, will be provided by the Python Software Foundation or Anaconda.
    • Anaconda will stop building and distributing Python 3.9 variant packages.

Recommendations for Users

  • If you’re still using Python 3.9, we strongly recommend upgrading to a more recent version of Python (e.g., 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13) to ensure you receive the latest security updates and can take advantage of new features. Upgrading to Python 3.13 next is what we recommend because it will give you the most recent features and the longest duration before security updates will stop upstream.
  • Review your projects and dependencies to plan for migration to a newer Python version.
  • Test your code with newer Python versions to identify and address any compatibility issues.

Notable Features to Consider When Upgrading

Python versions released after 3.9 include significant improvements:

  • Python 3.10 (What’s New): Pattern matching with match/case statements (PEP 634), improved error messages, and union type operators (X | Y) (PEP 604)
  • Python 3.11 (What’s New): 10-60% performance improvements (average 25% speedup), fine-grained error locations in tracebacks (PEP 657), and exception groups (PEP 654)
  • Python 3.12 (What’s New): Per-interpreter GIL (PEP 684), improved f-string syntax (PEP 701), and type parameter syntax (PEP 695)
  • Python 3.13 (What’s New): Free-threaded Python builds (experimental), JIT compiler (experimental), and improved interactive interpreter
  • Python 3.14 (October 2025) (What’s New): Free-threaded Python builds (officially supported, PEP 779), deferred annotation evaluation (PEP 649), multiple interpreters in stdlib (PEP 734), template strings (PEP 750), and significant performance improvements

Upgrading

We understand that upgrading can sometimes be challenging, especially for large or complex projects. Conda environments can help you back up your dependencies and safely test your code with updated versions in isolated environments.

For enterprise users with specific Python 3.9 dependencies, Anaconda’s Professional Services team can assist with migration planning and custom package builds. Contact your account representative for more information about extended support options.If you have any questions or need assistance with the transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via your account representative, our forums, or support team.