News and planning
Revit Cloud Models deprecation: what changes on 17 November 2026
Autodesk is ending Revit Cloud Models access for older Revit releases, starting with Revit 2021 and earlier. Here is what stops working, what does not, which version to upgrade to, and how to keep sharing files with partners who stay on an older release.
From 17 November 2026, Revit 2021 and older can no longer create or open Revit Cloud Models. Local desktop files are not affected. To keep collaborating in the cloud, upgrade your active cloud models to Revit 2022 or later before the date.
Autodesk announced the change in April 2026 and confirmed the date in a July 2026 FAQ. This guide sums up what the FAQ and Autodesk's product team have said, and what it means for a practice that shares models with other firms.
What is changing on 17 November 2026?
Autodesk is introducing an access policy for Revit Cloud Models, the cloud workshared models hosted in BIM 360 and Autodesk Docs. From 17 November 2026, Revit Cloud Models only work in the current Revit release and the five releases before it. With Revit 2027 current, that means Revit 2022 to 2027.
In releases outside that window, you can no longer create new cloud models or open existing ones. Cloud collaboration stops in those releases. Autodesk's FAQ is clear that local desktop capabilities remain unaffected: a Revit 2021 model saved on your own network keeps working exactly as before.
Which Revit versions lose Cloud Model access, and when?
The window moves every year. Autodesk's FAQ says that with each new Revit release, the oldest release that still had access is dropped, and Autodesk's product owner for cloud worksharing has said the plan is to do this 30 days after each new release comes out.
| Revit release | Loses Cloud Model access |
|---|---|
| Revit 2021 and older | 17 November 2026 |
| Revit 2022 | 30 days after Revit 2028 is released (Autodesk's stated example) |
| Revit 2023 | Expected 30 days after Revit 2029 is released, under the same rule |
| Revit 2024 and later | One release later each year, under the same rule |
So upgrading a cloud model to Revit 2022 only buys about a year. Every later release buys one more year of cloud access.
What still works after the cut-off?
- Local files. Projects, families and templates saved on your computer or network are not affected in any release.
- Downloaded cloud models. You can download a cloud model and keep working on it locally in the same Revit release, without cloud features.
- Upgrading later. Cloud models can still be upgraded from any earlier release, including the deprecated ones, to a release that has access.
- Published versions. Autodesk's product team has said published versions stay viewable in BIM 360 and Autodesk Docs, but a model in a deprecated release can no longer be opened in Revit until it is upgraded. Autodesk also said it would add a way to publish outstanding changes from deprecated releases before the policy is enforced.
How do you upgrade a Revit Cloud Model?
Autodesk provides a Revit Cloud Model Upgrade feature in both BIM 360 and Autodesk Docs, which upgrades cloud models to a newer Revit release. Autodesk's advice is to upgrade only the active cloud models that still need cloud collaboration. Models on hold can be downloaded, or upgraded later when the project restarts.
Before upgrading, publish any unpublished changes, and agree the target release with everyone who works on the model, including consultants in other firms.
Which Revit version should you upgrade to?
Revit 2022 is the minimum, but as the table shows, it loses access again once Revit 2028 is out. Picking a later release keeps cloud access for longer, at a cost: everyone who opens the model must run that release or a later one, because Revit cannot open files saved in a newer release.
- Upgrading to your practice's current release keeps cloud access longest, but can lock out consultants who stay on older releases.
- Upgrading to the oldest release every partner runs keeps everyone working, but you will face the same deadline again sooner.
Our guide on working with consultants on different Revit versions covers how to agree a project release, and the Revit version compatibility chart shows which releases open which files.
What if a partner stays on an older release?
Once a cloud model is upgraded, a partner on an older Revit release cannot open the Revit files you send them from it. If they cannot upgrade, download a copy of the model and convert it to Revit 2023 with RVT Convert. A Revit 2023 file opens in every release from 2023 to 2027, so one copy works for anyone on a supported release. See how to save a Revit file to an older version for the steps.
An architect upgrades a cloud model to Revit 2026 before the deadline. The structural engineer works locally in Revit 2024. Each issue, the architect downloads the model, converts the copy to Revit 2023 and sends it. The engineer opens it in Revit 2024, and the architect's cloud model stays in Revit 2026.
Checklist before 17 November 2026
- List your active Revit Cloud Models and the release each one is in.
- Publish any unpublished changes in models on Revit 2021 or older.
- Agree a target release with the project team, including consultants.
- Upgrade the active models with Revit Cloud Model Upgrade.
- Download the models you will not keep in the cloud.
- Tell partners which release the models are in now. To check downloaded files, the free Revit version checker lists the release of every file in a folder.
Frequently asked questions
Will my local Revit 2021 files stop working?
No. The change only affects Revit Cloud Models. Files saved locally keep opening in Revit 2021 and every later release.
Do I need to upgrade every cloud model?
No. Autodesk recommends upgrading only active cloud models that need cloud collaboration. You can download the rest, or upgrade them later from any release.
Can I still see cloud models on deprecated releases?
Autodesk has said published versions stay viewable in BIM 360 and Autodesk Docs. You will not be able to open those models in a deprecated Revit release until they are upgraded.
Can I move a cloud model back to an older release?
Not in Revit or BIM 360: upgrading only works forwards. To give someone a copy they can open in an older release, download the model and convert the copy to Revit 2023.
Key takeaways
- From 17 November 2026, Revit 2021 and older cannot create or open Revit Cloud Models.
- Local desktop files are not affected.
- The window keeps moving: Revit 2022 loses access 30 days after Revit 2028 is released.
- Upgrade only active cloud models, and agree the target release with every partner first.
- For partners on older releases, send a Revit 2023 copy, which opens in Revit 2023 to 2027.
Sources and further reading
- Autodesk: Understanding deprecation of Revit Cloud Models access for older Revit versions (FAQ, July 2026)
- Autodesk Community: Deprecation of Revit Cloud Models access for older Revit versions (announcement and product team replies)
- Autodesk Docs help: Upgrade Revit Cloud Models
- BIM 360 help: Upgrade Revit Cloud Models