If you received Salesforce’s “ACTION REQUIRED” email about API deprecations in the 2025 Summer Release, you might’ve thought your org was doomed. You’re not alone—admins everywhere went full Chicken Little, fearing a Salesforce apocalypse. Spoiler: it’s not that bad. At Cloud Connects, we’re here to cut through the hype, explain why this matters, and guide you to a fix without the panic. Let’s dive in.
Why the Fuss Over API Deprecations?
Salesforce deprecates older API versions every few years—think of it like an oil change you keep putting off. Typically, APIs are supported for about three years (or 10 releases), but enforcement can be lax. The 2025 Summer Release is retiring older versions, and if your org uses outdated Apex code or integrations, you could face broken processes. Ignore it, and you risk sales reps unable to close deals or customer service grinding to a halt. That’s the kind of disruption we help clients avoid.
The good news? It’s fixable with a clear plan. Below, we’ll walk through the five steps we use at Cloud Connects to future-proof your org.
Watch Our Step-by-Step Video Guide
Before we get to the steps, check out our video tutorial on handling API deprecations. It’s packed with practical tips and a bit of humor to make the process less daunting. Watch it below, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Salesforce insights.
Step 1: Create a Sandbox
Start with a sandbox to test changes safely—Salesforce won’t let you edit code in production, and you shouldn’t try. Here’s how:
- Create a Public Group: In Setup, create a public group (e.g., “Admins”) for users needing sandbox auto-login. Add users and save.
- Set Up a Developer Sandbox: Go to Sandboxes > New Sandbox, select “Developer” (the simplest option), name it (e.g., “APIDeprecations2025”), link to production, assign the public group, and create. Wait for it to process.
Step 2: Update API Versions
Log into your sandbox (use your production username with “.sandboxname” appended, e.g., “user@company.com.APIDeprecations”). Then:
- Go to Setup > Apex Classes, sort by API version, and find older ones (e.g., version 53 or below).
- Edit each class, update to the latest API version in Version Settings (we suggest one version below the newest), and save.
Pro Tip: Can’t update managed package classes? Contact the vendor to ensure they’re compliant.
Step 3: Run Tests
Testing is critical. In your sandbox:
- Navigate to Setup > Apex Test Execution, select “No Namespace,” run all relevant tests, and wait for green results. This could take minutes or hours, so grab a coffee.
Step 4: Code Change Gameplan
Before deploying:
- In production, go to Setup > Deployment Settings, find your sandbox, and enable “Allow Changes.”
- In the sandbox, create an Outbound Change Set (e.g., “API_Deprecation_2025”), add updated Apex classes, and upload to production.
Step 5: Deploy to Production
In production:
- Go to Setup > Inbound Change Sets, find your change set, and deploy with “Run Local Tests” selected. Monitor the status—it’s usually quick but may take hours in complex orgs.
Done! Your org is ready for 2025.
Why This Matters (and When to Call for Help)
API deprecations are like insurance—you don’t notice them until disaster strikes. A broken process could derail sales or service, costing you time and revenue. If your team lacks Apex expertise, don’t DIY. Hiring a freelancer or a boutique consultancy like Cloud Connects is smarter. We’ve handled API upgrades for clients in ~40 hours, costing $5,000-$10,000 depending on complexity—a small price to avoid a CRM meltdown.
Let Cloud Connects Untangle the Mess
At Cloud Connects, we specialize in fixing Salesforce headaches, from API deprecations to clunky integrations. Our pragmatic approach focuses on what you need, not what you could do. We’ve helped clients like Adobe and Ford maximize their Salesforce investments, and we can help you too.
Ready to tackle API deprecations? Contact us for a Health Check or Discovery workshop to assess your org and plan next steps. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more actionable Salesforce tips.
