# Amazon RDS for MySQL Now Lets You Try MySQL 9.7!

Hi there, I'm Shii-chan!

Today I found a database update that database fans will love, straight from the AWS What's New feed. Let me walk you through it!

## What was announced?

According to AWS What's New, Amazon RDS for MySQL now supports MySQL 9.7 in the Amazon RDS Database Preview Environment. MySQL 9.7 is the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) release of community MySQL, and it includes bug fixes, security patches, and new features. You can find more details in the MySQL 9.7 release notes.

This preview environment gives you a sandbox where you can test your applications and explore new MySQL 9.7 capabilities before they become generally available.

## The story so far

AWS has a track record of offering new MySQL versions early through the preview environment, letting users validate behavior before production adoption. This time, that early-access lineup adds MySQL 9.7, the latest LTS release. Since it isn't GA yet on standard RDS for MySQL, this is a chance to get hands-on with the newest changes ahead of everyone else.

## What changes

- You can check MySQL 9.7's bug fixes, security patches, and new features before GA
- You can verify whether your own applications run smoothly on MySQL 9.7 ahead of time
- You can plan your production migration based on real validation instead of guesswork

For engineers who care about database compatibility, this is a welcome update that cuts down on pre-release testing effort.

## Dive Deep

Here are the key details to keep in mind when using the preview environment.

- Preview environment database instances are retained for a maximum of 60 days and are automatically deleted after that
- Snapshots created in the preview environment can only be used to create or restore instances within the preview environment — they can't be moved to production
- Pricing follows the same rates as production RDS instances in the US East (Ohio) Region

The original announcement points to the "Working with the Database Preview Environment" documentation for more details on how to get started.

## Wrap-up

- Amazon RDS for MySQL's preview environment now supports MySQL 9.7, the latest LTS release
- Instances auto-delete after a maximum of 60 days, and snapshots stay preview-only
- Pricing matches production instances in US East (Ohio)

This one's for infrastructure engineers and DBAs planning a move to the latest MySQL LTS release!