diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index 801cc7dbe..c01275665 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -11,4 +11,8 @@ branches:
   - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
     handleGHRelease: true
     releaseType: java-yoshi
-    branch: java7
\ No newline at end of file
+    branch: java7
+  - releaseType: java-backport
+    bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    branch: 2.6.x
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index 75b33019e..f77ddd5c2 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -51,6 +51,16 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - units (8)
       - units (11)
       - cla/google
+  - pattern: 2.6.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: true
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - bazel
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - cla/google
 permissionRules:
   - team: yoshi-admins
     permission: admin