Pi Network has announced a June 2, 2026 deadline for mainnet node operators to upgrade to Protocol 24.1. This update, which follows Protocol 23, focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and preparing for future smart contracts and ecosystem expansion. Key improvements include better ledger processing, node synchronization, and backend infrastructure. The upgrade process is streamlined, with most migrations expected to complete within five minutes. Windows nodes can update automatically via Pi Desktop, while Linux operators can use the new Pi Linux Node CLI tool. Docker users need only deploy the updated container version. Operators are advised to stagger upgrades to minimize disruption. Although Protocol 24.1 is an infrastructure update, community discussions are already looking ahead to Protocol 26, which may focus more on smart contract capabilities.