Upgrade Console release notes

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read

    • The ServiceNow® Upgrade Console application guides you for a comprehensive and efficient upgrade experience. Upgrade Console was enhanced and updated in the Zurich release.

    Upgrade Console highlights for the Zurich release

    • 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 Console for more information.

    Important:
    Upgrade Console is available in the ServiceNow Store. For details, see the "Activation information" section of these release notes.

    New in the Zurich release

    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.

    UI changes

    Coral theme
    Coral is now the default theme for new portal, web, and mobile experiences with Next Experience or Core UI enabled. This theme provides a fresh look and feel, featuring brand-neutral illustrations to enhance your user experience. A dark theme option is available for web and mobile experiences.

    Changed in this release

    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 in this release

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

    Activation information

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