PostgreSQL 18 Release Candidate Now Available
The PostgreSQL Global Development Group has announced the availability of the first release candidate (RC) for PostgreSQL 18, a significant milestone in the development process. As an RC, this version is expected to be nearly identical to the final release, with minor fixes and improvements made before its general availability.
Key Dates and Milestones
The planned date for the general availability of PostgreSQL 18 has been set for September 25, 2025. For more information on the release schedule, please refer to the "Release Schedule" section below.
Upgrading to PostgreSQL 18 RC 1
If you are currently using an earlier version of PostgreSQL and wish to upgrade to PostgreSQL 18 RC 1, you will need to employ a major version upgrade strategy, such as pg_upgrade or pg_dump/pg_restore. For detailed guidance on upgrading, please consult the official documentation:
Changes and Improvements Since Beta 3
During the Beta 3 period, several bug fixes were applied to PostgreSQL 18, including:
- A fix for vacuumdb --missing-stats-only to skip virtual generated columns
- Added guidance on when to reindex full-text search and pg_trgm indexes after using pg_upgrade
For a comprehensive list of fixes, please visit the open items page.
Release Schedule
PostgreSQL 18 RC 1 is the first release candidate in the development process. Unless an unforeseen issue arises that warrants delaying or producing additional release candidates, PostgreSQL 18 should be made generally available on September 25, 2025.
For further information and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments, please visit the Beta Testing page:
PostgreSQL: Beta Information
