Combined Upgrade Console release notes for upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated August 11, 2026
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of Combined Upgrade Console release notes for upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich

    This consolidated release notes page provides ServiceNow customers with all key updates and changes related to upgrading the Upgrade Console from the Yokohama release to the Zurich release. It is designed to help you prepare for and execute your upgrade smoothly by summarizing new features, changes, removals, and important upgrade tasks across both production and sub-production instances.

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    New Features

    • Additional Access Point: Upgrade Console can now be accessed through the Admin menu by selecting Admin Home and then the Upgrade Console link, simplifying navigation.
    • Guided Upgrade Process:
      • Sub-production Instances: The upgrade process is divided into three key phases: Pre-upgrade, Instance upgrade, and Post-upgrade tasks.
      • Production Instances: The process includes four phases: Select upgrade, Pre-upgrade, Instance upgrade, and Post-upgrade tasks, providing a comprehensive upgrade workflow.
    • Upgrade Plan Selection: During pre-upgrade activities, you can now choose or create an upgrade plan, applicable to both production and sub-production instances, enabling better upgrade preparation.
    • Enhanced Preview Application Upgrades: New functionalities in the Preview application upgrades step improve visibility and control over application changes during upgrade.
    • Improved Store Application Upgrades: Post-upgrade tasks include updated App updates and Upgrade store applications sections. The new "Sync Now" option lets you refresh the list of installed applications that were added or upgraded outside the upgrade process.

    Changes

    • Access to Guided Upgrade: In addition to the Guided upgrade tab, you can now access Guided upgrade via the "Resume upgrade" option if an upgrade is already in progress, streamlining upgrade management.

    Removed Features

    • Removed "Ready your environment" Step: The pre-upgrade "Ready your environment" step was removed for production instances, simplifying the pre-upgrade activities.

    Activation and Requirements

    • Activation: Upgrade Console is an AI Platform feature in ServiceNow that is active by default in the Zurich release.
    • Additional Requirements and Browser Compatibility: No new or changed requirements or browser-specific needs were introduced between Yokohama and Zurich.

    Other Considerations

    • No updates or changes were noted regarding deprecations, accessibility, or localization for the Upgrade Console between Yokohama and Zurich.

    Key Outcomes for ServiceNow Customers

    • Access Upgrade Console more easily through the Admin menu for efficient upgrade management.
    • Follow a structured, guided upgrade process tailored for production and sub-production instances, enhancing upgrade success.
    • Leverage new planning and preview capabilities to better prepare and validate your upgrade activities.
    • Post-upgrade tasks include updated application management with options to synchronize external app changes, maintaining system integrity.
    • Enjoy a simplified pre-upgrade process by eliminating unnecessary steps on production instances.
    • Benefit from a feature that is enabled by default without additional activation steps.

    Consolidated page of all release notes for Upgrade Console from Yokohama to Zurich.

    How to use this page

    To help you prepare for your upgrade, we have combined the cross-family Upgrade Console release notes onto one page. Read this summary of the new features, changes, and updated information for your product from Yokohama to Zurich.

    Tip:
    If there were no updates for a release notes section in a certain family release, we included a short note for your reference. For example, if a product did not have any updates in Tokyo, the row says "No updates for this release."

    Important information for upgrading Upgrade Console to Zurich

    Before you upgrade to Zurich, review these pre- and post-upgrade tasks and complete the tasks as needed.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    New features

    Between your current release family and Zurich, new features were introduced for Upgrade Console.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich
    Additional way to access Upgrade Management
    You can now access Upgrade Console through the Admin menu by selecting Admin Home, and then selecting the Upgrade Console link.
    Guided upgrade on sub-production instance
    Upgrade your sub-production instance to facilitate a seamless and successful transition. This process is structured into three pivotal phases: Pre-upgrade, Instance upgrade, and Post-upgrade tasks.
    Guided upgrade on production instance
    Elevate your upgrade experience within your production instance by meticulously completing each stage of the transition. This comprehensive process encompasses four crucial phases: Select upgrade, Pre-upgrade, Instance upgrade, and Post-upgrade tasks, all designed for a successful upgrade experience.
    Additional step in pre-upgrade activities
    You an now choose an upgrade plan in the Choose an upgrade plan step by either selecting an existing plan or by creating a new plan. This new step is applicable for both production and sub-production instances.
    Enhanced functionalities in the Preview application upgrades step
    Experience the new functionalities within the Preview application upgrades step for a seamless upgrade experience on your instance. These new functionalities are applicable for both production and sub-production instances.
    Enhanced capabilities in the Store application upgrades step
    Review the Store application upgrades step in the post-upgrade activities for updated information in the App updates and Upgrade store applications sections. You can also use the new Sync Now option to update the list of installed applications that were either added or upgraded outside the upgrade process.

    Changes

    Between your current release family and Zurich, some changes were made to existing Upgrade Console features.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich
    Updated access to Guided upgrade
    Apart from the Guided upgrade tab option, you can also access Guided upgrade by selecting Resume upgrade if there is an ongoing upgrade in the instance.

    Removed

    Between your current release family and Zurich, some Upgrade Console features or functionality were removed.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich
    • Removed the Ready your environment step in the pre-upgrade activities on a production instance.

    Deprecations

    Between your current release family and Zurich, some Upgrade Console features or functionality were deprecated.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Activation information

    Review information on how to activate Upgrade Console.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    Upgrade Console is a ServiceNow AI Platform feature that is active by default.

    Additional requirements

    If any additional requirements were introduced or changed for Upgrade Console we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Browser requirements

    If any specific browser requirements were introduced or changed for Upgrade Console we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Accessibility information

    Review details on accessibility information for Upgrade Console, such as specific requirements or compliance levels.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Localization information

    If there are specific localization considerations for Upgrade Console we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich

    		 No updates for this release.

    Highlight information

    If there are specific highlight considerations for Upgrade Console we have noted them here.

    Release Release notes

    Yokohama

    		 No updates for this release.

    Zurich
    • Enable a smooth upgrade experience on your production and sub-production instances by completing essential tasks before, during, and after the instance upgrade.
    • Access Upgrade Console and Guided upgrade by experiencing the new and updated options.

    See Upgrade Management for more information.