Removing a field or changing its meaning can break clients that deploy on a different schedule. A staged migration lets consumers move without forcing every caller to change at once.
Add before removing
- Introduce the replacement field or endpoint while preserving the old contract.
- Document the transition and give clients a concrete migration example.
- Measure use of the old path without collecting unnecessary personal information.
Set a removal decision
Choose an end date or usage threshold that is realistic for the clients you support. Notify known consumers, publish a final reminder, and remove the old behavior only when the compatibility plan says it is safe.
Test old and new clients during the transition. If the API is public, account for clients you cannot contact directly and follow the versioning or deprecation policy your users already rely on.