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If you’re using AWS App Runner for your applications or deploying containers via ECR, it’s important to update your Node.js version before support ends. Currently, if your App Runner services are running on Node.js 16, you should change the runtime to Node.js 22, which is the latest long-term support version. Support for older Node.js versions like 12, 14, 16, and 18 will end on December 1, 2025.
Similarly, if you have container images stored in ECR that use Node.js 18, you’ll need to rebuild those images using Node.js 22. While your existing images will continue to run after the end-of-support date, they will no longer get security patches or bug fixes. Node.js 18 reached its end of life on April 30, 2025, so updating now helps keep your applications secure.
When you upgrade to Node.js 22, be aware that AWS App Runner has updated its build process to support this newer runtime. There’s now a new pre-run section included in the build process, which wasn’t part of older versions. This change might require some adjustments in your build scripts.
If your application uses the AWS SDK, know that Node.js 22 includes version 3 of the SDK for JavaScript, while Node.js 16 and earlier used version 2. You might need to modify your code if you’re using the older SDK version bundled with previous runtimes.
To ensure everything runs smoothly, it’s a good idea to test your applications thoroughly in a testing environment after making these updates. This way, you can confirm that all dependencies and workflows function correctly with the new Node.js version.
Staying up to date on these upgrades helps keep your applications secure and efficient, and AWS regularly updates their documentation to guide you through the process.




