From time to time, applications supported by Zoho Flow may be deprecated. This can happen when a third-party provider changes their API, discontinues a product, or when Zoho Flow introduces an updated version of an integration with improved capabilities. Understanding how deprecation works and knowing what steps to take will help you keep your automated workflows running smoothly.
Why Apps Are Deprecated
App deprecation in Zoho Flow typically occurs for one of the following reasons:
- API changes: The third-party application has updated or replaced its API, making the existing Zoho Flow connector incompatible.
- Product discontinuation: The third-party app has been discontinued by its provider and is no longer available for use.
- Improved connector versions: Zoho Flow has released a newer, more capable version of the integration, and the older version is being retired.
- Authentication method changes: The authentication standard required by the third-party app has changed, requiring a new connection setup.
How Zoho Flow Notifies You
When an app used in one of your flows is scheduled for deprecation, Zoho Flow will notify you in advance. Notifications are typically sent via email to the account owner and may also appear as banners or alerts within the Zoho Flow interface. The notification will include details about which app is affected, the deprecation date, and any recommended actions.
Note: It is important to act on deprecation notices promptly. Flows using a deprecated app will stop working once the deprecation takes effect, which could disrupt your business processes.
What Happens to Existing Flows
Once an app is deprecated, any flow that relies on it will be affected in the following ways:
- Flows using the deprecated app as a trigger will no longer be activated by events from that app.
- Flows using the deprecated app as an action step will fail at that step and may halt further execution.
- The affected flows may be automatically turned off or flagged with an error status in your Flow dashboard.
Steps to Take When an App Is Deprecated
- Identify affected flows. From your Zoho Flow dashboard, review which flows use the deprecated app. You can search by app name or check the error log for flagged flows.
- Check for a replacement integration. Zoho Flow may offer a newer version of the same app's connector. Look in the app library for an updated version and review its documentation.
- Recreate or update the flow. If a replacement connector is available, open the affected flow and replace the deprecated trigger or action with the updated version. Reconfigure any field mappings as required.
- Test thoroughly. After updating your flow, run a test to confirm that the new integration is working correctly before switching the flow back on.
- Use an alternative app. If no replacement integration exists, consider whether another app in the Zoho Flow library can fulfil the same role in your workflow.
Using Webhooks as an Alternative
In some cases where a native app connector has been deprecated and no replacement exists, it may be possible to use Zoho Flow's custom webhook functionality to maintain connectivity. If the third-party application supports sending or receiving HTTP requests, you can configure a webhook-based integration to replicate the previous functionality.
Keeping Up to Date
To stay informed about upcoming deprecations, it is advisable to keep your notification email address current in your Zoho Flow account settings and to monitor the Zoho Flow changelog and community forums for announcements about planned changes to app integrations.
Need help? 1 Cloud Consultants can audit your existing Zoho Flow integrations, identify any at risk from deprecation, and rebuild or migrate them to ensure your automations continue to run without interruption.
Book a discovery call with 1 Cloud Consultants.