HoYoverse has officially announced the Version 7.0 maintenance schedule for Genshin Impact, confirming that the highly anticipated "Everwinter Without Mercy" update will launch on August 12, 2026. The update will open the gates to Snezhnaya, introduce major gameplay systems and continue the Traveler's journey into the homeland of the Tsaritsa. With only days remaining before launch, players can already begin preparing through the newly available pre-installation feature.
According to the official maintenance notice, Version 7.0 maintenance will begin on August 12 at 06:00 (UTC+8). The scheduled downtime is expected to last approximately five hours, meaning the new version should become available around 11:00 (UTC+8) if maintenance proceeds according to schedule. During this period, Travelers will be unable to access the game while the development team applies the massive Everwinter Without Mercy update.
Players affected by the maintenance will receive 300 Primogems as compensation. The reward is calculated at 60 Primogems per hour of server downtime, with the announced five hour maintenance resulting in the full 300 Primogem compensation. This is an important free reward for Travelers preparing their resources for the upcoming Odette Event Wish, additional Snezhnaya characters and the new equipment arriving with Version 7.0.
The maintenance compensation will be available to Travelers who have reached Adventure Rank 5 or above by August 12 at 06:00 (UTC+8). HoYoverse will distribute the Primogems through in-game mail within five hours after maintenance has been completed. Players should remember that the compensation mail will expire after 30 days, so the rewards must be claimed before the mailbox expiration period ends.
The good news for players eager to enter Snezhnaya is that pre-installation for Version 7.0 is already available. Travelers can download part of the required update files before the servers go live, significantly reducing the amount of time needed to access the game after maintenance. This is particularly useful for players who want to experience the new Archon Quest, explore the frozen nation and begin pulling for the latest characters immediately after the update launches.
The estimated pre-installation requirements vary considerably between platforms. PC players will need approximately 8 GB of available download space, while mobile players will require around 3 GB. HoYoverse notes that the actual download size may vary depending on the Voice-Over language packs installed on the device. The estimates are based on a typical installation with one Voice-Over pack selected.
The timing of the update is particularly important because Version 7.0 represents one of the largest content expansions in Genshin Impact history. The update introduces Snezhnaya, the Everwinter Without Mercy Archon Quest, Cryo Traveler, a free 5-Star weapon, Odette, Alyosha, Stellar Swirl, new artifact sets, new weapons and a wide variety of exploration systems.
Players preparing for the first phase will also have the opportunity to summon "Swirling Snow" Odette through the Swan's Shadow in Silken Ice Event Wish after the update goes live. Her debut will coincide with the arrival of Whitelake Frostfeather, the new 5-Star Sword featured in the Epitome Invocation. Travelers planning to spend their Primogems should therefore make sure their accounts are ready before maintenance begins.
The update will also introduce several permanent progression rewards. By progressing through the Everwinter Without Mercy Archon Quest, Travelers can unlock Cryo Traveler and obtain a 5-Star weapon. Meanwhile, progressing through the story will allow players to invite Alyosha to their party, giving every Traveler access to one of the new Snezhnaya companions without requiring an initial gacha pull.
HoYoverse has also confirmed that a more comprehensive Version Update Details notice will be published on August 12 at 07:00 (UTC+8). This upcoming notice will contain additional information regarding balance adjustments, optimizations, bug fixes and other forms of compensation included in the Version 7.0 update.
For Travelers, the final preparation window has officially begun. With pre-installation available, the August 12 maintenance schedule confirmed and 300 Primogems waiting as compensation, players now have only a few days to organize their resources before the beginning of the Snezhnaya era. Genshin Impact Version 7.0: Everwinter Without Mercy is almost here, and the next major chapter of Teyvat is ready to begin.
