AL2027 entered public preview in September 2026 with kernel 7.1, SELinux enforcing by default, post-quantum key exchange on by default, DNF5, Python 3.14, GCC 16 and AWS-LC alongside OpenSSL 3.5. The changes most likely to break your builds and AMIs, and a sensible way to test before it is generally available.
AWS opened the public preview of Amazon Linux 2027 in September 2026, with preview AMIs in all commercial Regions for x86 and Arm and container base images on ECR Public. The preview runs into early 2027 and is for testing, not production. AL2023 remains the current release.
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From AWS's AL2023 to AL2027 comparison guide, October 2026 preview.
Build a test AMI or container image on the preview and run your application's test suite on it.
Run with SELinux enforcing and collect denials. Most of the work is writing small policy modules for paths and ports your software uses.
Grep for yum, dnf Python API usage and init.d scripts in AMI builds, user data and configuration management.
Test outbound connections to old internal systems: post-quantum hybrid key exchange and newer TLS defaults expose ancient servers.
Do not migrate production yet. Plan the move for after general availability, and put AL2023 instances on your 2027 roadmap.
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As of October 25, 2026. Provided as is, for general information, and accurate to the best of our knowledge on the date shown. Not legal, compliance, tax, financial or other professional advice. Prices, limits and vendor services change; check current vendor documentation before relying on anything here. Terms of use.