Databricks releases, every cloud
- Databricks Runtime 19: September 21, 2026
It supports truncate and trim_array functions in SQL and DataFrame APIs. Session environment variables are set using spark.pythonWorkerEnv.
- Databricks Apps is now on by default for workspaces with the compliance security profile enabled
Requires compliance security profile.
- Metastore-level ABAC policies are in Beta
Applies across every catalog in the metastore. Replaces per-catalog policy setup.
- Unused OAuth client secrets are automatically deleted after 90 days
Deletes unused secrets after 90 days, create new if still needed.
- The READ METADATA privilege will soon be available by default for workspaces with the compliance security profile enabled Coming soon
Grants read-only visibility into object metadata, including security-sensitive information.
- The counter_diff SQL window function is now available
Calculates differences between consecutive cumulative counter values, available in Databricks Runtime 19 and above.
- Run the change, do not just read it. Hands-on labs in your own Databricks workspace, graded when you submit. Browse labs
- Window measures on a numeric index column in metric views
Supports unitless offset and ranges on consecutive integer columns, useful for non-calendar periods like fiscal weeks.
- Standard performance mode is now available for one-time runs in the Jobs API
Sets performance_target to STANDARD. Supports Apache Airflow's DatabricksSubmitRunOperator.
- ABAC DENY policies are in Beta
Explicitly deny MANAGE ACCESS CONTROL privilege, taking precedence over grants.
- Databricks SQL version 2026.36 is rolling out in Current
It includes features from version 2026.32.
- See which chunks support each ai_search answer (Beta)
Added generate_citations option to show supporting chunks.
- time_bucket SQL function aligns timestamps to fixed-width time buckets
Replaces date_trunc for non-calendar units, requires origin and width parameters.
- Environment version 6 is now available
Supports serverless and standard classic compute.
- Automatic change data feed is now generally available
Requires Databricks Runtime 19 or above with row tracking enabled. Makes MERGE and UPDATE operations about 15% faster.
- Databricks Runtime 19: September 1, 2026
Auto CDF requires Databricks Runtime 19 or above with row tracking enabled. It makes MERGE and UPDATE operations about 15% faster.
- Databricks Runtime maintenance updates (09/01)
Includes bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements for versions 13.3 to 18.2.
- Genie Code scheduled tasks will soon be available by default for workspaces with the compliance security profile enabled Coming soon
Replaces manual runs of recurring analysis tasks. Available in October 2026.
- Databricks SQL version 2026.36 is now available in Preview
It includes features from version 2026.32.
- Get this table by email. One Monday mail covering the week, filtered to the clouds and products you run. Weekly digest
- Restrict service principal OAuth secrets to specific API scopes
Restricts OAuth secrets to specific API scopes like sql or jobs, limiting leaked secret impact.
- Query text is now masked by default in system tables and APIs
Masking applies to system.query.history, Query History API, and List Queries API. Account admins can grant access to unmasked text via databricks_pii_access group.
- Databricks Runtime 19: August 24, 2026
Updates Java to Zulu21.52+15-CA and upgrades Jackson libraries to version 2.22.
- Databricks SQL version 2026.32 is rolling out in Current
It is available in the Current channel and includes new features.
- Secrets in Unity Catalog will soon be available by default for workspaces with the compliance security profile enabled Coming soon
Replaces manual enablement, uses catalog.schema.secret namespace.
- The INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE privileges are in Beta
Require Databricks Runtime 18.1 or above, alternative to MODIFY privilege.
- Inbound Private Service Connect for performance-intensive services (Beta)
Enables private connectivity to services like Zerobus Ingest and Lakebase Autoscaling on Google Cloud.
- Consumer access to query Unity Gateway services will become generally available Coming soon
Requires account admins to set budgets and rate limits beforehand to control model traffic.
- Role-based access control (RBAC) is generally available
Requires account and workspace admin setup. Enables exclusive access to sensitive data.
- Role-based access control (RBAC) will soon be available by default for workspaces with the compliance security profile enabled Coming soon
Lets users assume a role with exclusive permissions, replacing accumulated permissions.
- Block or redact sensitive data in requests and responses
Detects SSNs, credit cards, and phone numbers using regex and checksums. Requires Enhanced Unity Gateway preview.
- Cross-workspace access for serverless (Beta)
Controls serverless network traffic between workspaces with ingress and egress rules.
- SQL alert task in Lakeflow Jobs is now available by default for workspaces with the compliance security profile enabled
Supports all Databricks compliance security profile standards, returns evaluation state as output.
- ABAC GRANT policies now cover Unity Gateway resource types (Beta)
Supports model services, model provider services, MCP services, and agent services, allowing tag-based access.
- Databricks SQL version 2026.32 is now available in Preview
It includes the is_valid_variant function and supports REPLACE USING and REPLACE ON clauses with INSERT INTO.
- REPLACE USING flows for standalone streaming tables (Beta)
Replaces rows matching specified key columns, requires SEQUENCE BY column.
- Alert system tables are in Public Preview
Contains alerts and alert_evaluation_history tables for auditing and monitoring.
- Databricks Runtime 19: August 10, 2026
It supports collect_union and evaluates HAVING before window functions.
- READ METADATA privilege is GA
Provides read-only visibility into security-sensitive metadata, including privilege grants and ABAC policies.
- Change data feed on materialized views (Beta)
Requires Databricks Runtime 18 LTS or above. Enables replication to external destinations.
- JAR tasks on serverless compute are now generally available
Requires matching Scala, Java Development Kit, and Databricks Connect versions.
- Serverless outbound Private Service Connect to customer-managed resources (Public Preview)
Keeps traffic off the public internet, adding network-layer defense against data exfiltration through customer-managed Google Cloud service attachment.
Headlines, dates and product areas are Databricks' own, and every item links to the note it came from. The one-line summaries are ours.