Debian 12 (Bookworm)
The Debian 12 (Bookworm) page: 12.15 status, LTS support until 2028, differences from Debian 13, the upgrade path, and downloads. Start here if you still run Bookworm.
Debian 12, codename Bookworm, was released on June 10, 2023. Its regular security support ended in July 2026 and the release is now in the LTS phase, maintained by the Debian LTS team until June 30, 2028.
12 or 13?
Existing Debian 12 systems keep receiving LTS security updates, but new installs should use Debian 13 (Trixie); plan an upgrade for current machines using the upgrade guide.
📌 Status at a glance
| Item | Info |
|---|---|
| Release date | 2023-06-10 |
| Current point release | 12.15 (2026-07-11, the last regular point release) |
| Kernel | Linux 6.1 LTS series |
| Desktop | GNOME 43 |
| Regular security support | Ended 2026-07-12 |
| LTS support | Until 2028-06-30 (amd64, i386, arm64, armhf, ppc64el) |
| ELTS | Until 2033-06-30 (third-party commercial) |
| Recommendation | Plan an upgrade to Debian 13 |
🔍 Key differences from Debian 13
- Kernel: 6.1 LTS (13 ships 6.12 LTS)
- Desktop: GNOME 43, KDE Plasma 5.27 (13 ships GNOME 48, Plasma 6.3, with Wayland as default)
- Toolchain: Python 3.11, GCC 12 (13 ships Python 3.13, GCC 14)
- Repositories: 12 already uses deb822 and the
non-free-firmwarecomponent, so the source layout barely changes when upgrading to 13 - Full component comparison: the table in Versions & Lifecycle
💾 Downloads
Debian 12.15 installer images remain available on the official cdimage server — useful for reproducing older environments or deploying on hardware outside 13's installer coverage:
- Debian 12.15 download (official cdimage)
- General download entry: Download
🔄 Upgrading to Debian 13
Every LTS security update flows into the 12 repositories; the standard route to 13:
- Fully update the current system and back up
/etcplus your data - Switch sources from
bookwormtotrixie(including the security line) sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade- Reboot and clean up
Full steps and caveats: the upgrade guide.
🛡️ Life in the LTS phase
- LTS does not cover every package — verify critical dependencies on the LTS page
- High-frequency apps like browsers still get updates, but the overall pace is slower
- Treat LTS start as an upgrade countdown for anything exposed to the internet
❓ FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long can I keep using Debian 12? | LTS runs until 2028-06-30; afterwards you need third-party ELTS or an upgrade |
| Should I still install 12 fresh? | No — install Debian 13 |
| How do I upgrade 12 to 13? | Follow the upgrade guide: update, switch sources, full-upgrade |
| Is daily usage very different from 13? | Desktop and toolchains are noticeably newer on 13, but workflows are identical |
🔗 Related pages
Debian 13 (Trixie)
The dedicated Debian 13 (Trixie) page: what's new, download and install paths, point-release schedule, support lifecycle, and FAQ. The recommended version for new installs.
Debian 11 (Bullseye)
Debian 11 (Bullseye) reached End-of-Life on 2026-08-31. Options for running systems: upgrade via 12 to 13, buy third-party ELTS, or isolate and decommission.