diff --git a/api-common-java/.github/release-please.yml b/api-common-java/.github/release-please.yml
index 701b57ed25..8275c4f372 100644
--- a/api-common-java/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/api-common-java/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -14,3 +14,7 @@ branches:
     bumpMinorPreMajor: true
     handleGHRelease: true
     branch: 2.0.x
+  - releaseType: java-backport
+    bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    branch: 2.1.x
diff --git a/api-common-java/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/api-common-java/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index bf50572e95..0689f05cbc 100644
--- a/api-common-java/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/api-common-java/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -38,6 +38,15 @@ branchProtectionRules:
     requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
     requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
     requiresStrictStatusChecks: true
+  - pattern: 2.1.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - units
+      - format
+      - cla/google
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: true
 permissionRules:
   - team: Googlers
     permission: pull