Versions (or Updates/Patches) are significant updates in Genshin Impact. Each version normally lasts 6 weeks or 42 days.[1]
Versions are labeled through a sequence-based identifier versioning scheme which reflects change significance. Genshin Impact's version numbers follow the format of many other versioning sequences, incrementing the left-most number for major updates and the right-most number for bug fixes; for most 6-week version updates, the second number in the version tag is the one that is incremented. For very significant or large version updates, such as the introduction of a new primary region in Teyvat, the first number may be incremented instead.
The first patch in each version has the version number X.Y.0 and future patches (X.Y.1, X.Y.2, etc.) fix major problems with the game that require a client update through the Game Launcher or App Store.
All maintenances except for the Version 1.0.1 maintenance were scheduled to last 5 hours. The Version 1.0.1 maintenance was scheduled to last 4 hours. They usually start at 06:00 UTC+8. Compensation for maintenance is Primogem ×60 for each hour the server is down and the minimum compensation is determined by the expected maintenance duration (ex. scheduled 5 hour maintenance means at least Primogem ×300 even if it only lasts 4 hours). Players must be Adventure Rank 5 or above before the start of the maintenance to be eligible for the compensation Mail. Compensation mail must be claimed before the end of the Version. Sometimes bug fixes give a compensation of Primogem ×300.
Starting one hour prior to maintenance, scrolling banners will periodically appear in-game at the top of the screen. The banners will show up at 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 minute(s) prior to the scheduled maintenance time. These banners will contain the following message:
Dear Travelers, Genshin Impact servers will be down for maintenance in about {X} minutes. Please plan your game time and progress accordingly. For more details, see the in-game notice.
Players who remain in-game until the maintenance start time will be disconnected and sent to the log-in screen. If they attempt to log in to the game during maintenance, they will receive a notice titled "Under Maintenance," which will display the times for the maintenance as well as a HoYoLAB link for more information.
Players can take advantage of the pre-download feature to obtain the latest version of Genshin Impact up to 48 hours before its official release. This allows them to download the new update resources in advance, ensuring quicker access to the game once the specified version is live. To pre-install the update, players can navigate to the Paimon Menu and access the Settings, or can opt to pre-install it through the launcher. Announcements regarding pre-installation are typically included in the Version Update Maintenance notice for each version, providing players with the necessary details to prepare for the upcoming update.
Durations[]
Durations prior to Version 2.4 in the table below are rounded to the nearest 5-minute mark.
Version
Duration (hh:mm)
1.0.1
03:35
1.1
04:35
1.2
04:35
1.3
03:50
1.4
04:20
1.5
04:25
1.6
04:30
2.0
04:30
2.1
04:00
2.2
04:00
2.3
03:55
2.4
04:46
2.5
04:49
2.6
04:15
2.7
04:50
2.8
04:47
3.0
04:32
3.1
04:09
3.2
04:45
3.3
05:00
3.4
03:55
3.5
04:41
3.6
04:00
3.7
04:18
3.8
04:35
4.0
04:11
4.1
04:12
4.2
04:39
4.3
03:54
4.4
03:58
4.5
03:41
4.6
03:52
4.7
04:01
4.8
04:30
5.0
03:40
Trivia[]
Most of the Version names in Chinese, from Versions 1.1–1.5, 2.3–2.7, are composed of five characters.
Versions 1.6, 2.8, 3.8 and 4.8 feature a summer theme, and their Version names are composed of seven characters in the form of "XX! XX? XXX!"
Versions 2.0 and 2.1 feature Inazuma Archon Quests, and their Version names are wordplay of the quest names, in the form of "XXXX, XXXX."
It is possible to remain within the game for a few minutes after the scheduled maintenance time, but the player will be returned to the title screen after.
This was likely due to the extended duration of Version 2.6 to get back to the original schedule.
Version 1.3 is currently the only version which had three Character Event Wishes not overlapping with one another. For the PC version, the time during the Dance of Lanterns wish did not have a unique splashscreen within the game's launcher.
Dear Traveler, the game servers will be down for maintenance at around XXm. After the maintenance, you will no longer be able to head to the island, so please plan your game progress to avoid missing out. For more details, please refer to the in-game announcement.
During the versions near Chinese New Year, announcements for Events and Event Wishes were made prior the start of the version.
This is likely to make all announcements before the holidays to allow people to plan their activities better, or for the developers to have time off.
Version 3.8 was the first version without a new character or weapon released.