diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index 28d9ff930..8f934f1ba 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -42,3 +42,7 @@ branches:
     handleGHRelease: true
     releaseType: java-backport
     branch: 2.30.x
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    branch: 2.29.x
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index 7545f34d8..a62e8b083 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -210,6 +210,25 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - javadoc
       - library_generation
       - unmanaged_dependency_check
+  - pattern: 2.29.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: false
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - dependencies (17)
+      - lint
+      - clirr
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
+      - cla/google
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java GraalVM Native Image A'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java GraalVM Native Image B'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java GraalVM Native Image C'
+      - javadoc
+      - library_generation
+      - unmanaged_dependency_check
 permissionRules:
   - team: yoshi-admins
     permission: admin