Client versions & support policy¶

Snowflake provides a CLI (command-line interface) as well as other client software (drivers, connectors, etc.) for connecting to Snowflake and using certain Snowflake features (e.g. Apache Kafka for loading data, Apache Hive metadata for external tables). The clients must be installed on each local workstation or system from which you wish to connect.

As needed, we release new versions of the clients to fix bugs, and introduce enhancements and new features. New versions are backward-compatible with existing Snowflake features, but we do not guarantee that earlier versions are forward-compatible. As such, we recommend actively monitoring and maintaining the versions of your installed clients; if they are not in-sync with the current version of Snowflake, you may encounter issues when connecting to and using Snowflake.

For more information about determining the current version of a client or driver, refer to the following:

• View the Snowflake client version
• How to report on the Clients connecting to a Snowflake account? (https://community.snowflake.com/s/article/how-to-report-on-the-clients-connecting-to-a-snowflake-account)

All downloads on this page are considered “Client Software” as defined in your agreement for use of the Snowflake Service.

Recommended client versions¶

As a policy, Snowflake recommends that you always install the latest (i.e. most recent) version of each client, if possible.

Once a client is installed, you are not required to upgrade each time a new version is released; however, to stay current with the latest fixes, updates, and features, we recommend monitoring for new versions and upgrading at regular intervals (e.g. monthly, quarterly, semiannually).

Minimum client versions¶

The minimum version for a client identifies the earliest supported version of the client. Any client versions lower than the documented minimum are no longer covered by our support policy (see below) and may encounter issues when connecting to Snowflake.

Client support policy¶

Snowflake maintains the following support policy for all clients provided by Snowflake:

• For all clients listed on this page, Snowflake generally supports each client version for at least two years, except in cases where a more recent version introduces critical fixes (e.g. for security or performance issues).

  Client versions that are below the minimum supported version might be blocked from connecting to Snowflake. Note that Snowflake will provide advance notification before blocking access for a particular client version.

• Unsupported versions might be removed from distribution (i.e. they may no longer be available for download/install).

• Snowflake provides bug fixes, new features, and required security updates only on the latest client versions. Likewise, when troubleshooting client issues, Snowflake verifies only against the latest client versions only.

• Snowflake ensures backward compatibility for APIs across all supported client versions.

Operating system support¶

The latest versions of most Snowflake clients are supported on the following operating systems:

The following table shows which clients are available on which operating systems:

Operating system support policy¶

Snowflake typically obsoletes support for an operating system version in accordance with the support timeline stated by the operating system vendor.

Snowflake typically provides three months’ notice before dropping support for a particular version of an operating system.