# Can I use 7.x elasticsearch client library "org.elasticsearch.client:elasticsearch-rest-client" with 6.x elasticsearch server

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/can-i-use-7-x-elasticsearch-client-library-org-elasticsearch-client-elasticsearch-rest-client-with-6-x-elasticsearch-server/210368>\
**Category:** Elasticsearch\
**Created:** [December 3, 2019, 2:14pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/can-i-use-7-x-elasticsearch-client-library-org-elasticsearch-client-elasticsearch-rest-client-with-6-x-elasticsearch-server/210368 "2019-12-03T14:14:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dmitry\_Sysolyatin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/dmitry_sysolyatin/32/45546_2.png) [@Dmitry\_Sysolyatin](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Dmitry_Sysolyatin)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 2:14pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/can-i-use-7-x-elasticsearch-client-library-org-elasticsearch-client-elasticsearch-rest-client-with-6-x-elasticsearch-server/210368/1 "2019-12-03T14:14:28Z")

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Hi,

Can I use 7.x elasticsearch client library "org.elasticsearch.client:elasticsearch-rest-client" with 6.x elasticsearch server. Is there backward compatibility in client library ?

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**Author:** ![linkerc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@linkerc](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/linkerc)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 11:14pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/can-i-use-7-x-elasticsearch-client-library-org-elasticsearch-client-elasticsearch-rest-client-with-6-x-elasticsearch-server/210368/2 "2019-12-03T23:14:26Z")

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I believe the recommendation is the other way around.  
Using newer server than the REST library.  
Upgrade your database before upgrading the REST library.

There are also several breaking changes you need to be aware of.  
The biggest one is the removal of "\_type". So REST 7.x calls don't allow you to specify \_type; which will not work for ES 6.x.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2019, 11:14pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/can-i-use-7-x-elasticsearch-client-library-org-elasticsearch-client-elasticsearch-rest-client-with-6-x-elasticsearch-server/210368/3 "2019-12-31T23:14:34Z")

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