diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 1f2da9bea8..116292caf5 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ and what APIs have changed, if applicable.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [29.49.8] - 2024-01-19
+- add WIRE_COMPATIBLE compatility checker mode.
+
 ## [29.49.7] - 2024-01-18
 adjust dual read monitoring data match logic and log rate limiter
 
@@ -5615,7 +5618,8 @@ patch operations can re-use these classes for generating patch messages.
 
 ## [0.14.1]
 
-[Unreleased]: https://github.com/linkedin/rest.li/compare/v29.49.7...master
+[Unreleased]: https://github.com/linkedin/rest.li/compare/v29.49.8...master
+[29.49.8]: https://github.com/linkedin/rest.li/compare/v29.49.7...v29.49.8
 [29.49.7]: https://github.com/linkedin/rest.li/compare/v29.49.6...v29.49.7
 [29.49.6]: https://github.com/linkedin/rest.li/compare/v29.49.5...v29.49.6
 [29.49.5]: https://github.com/linkedin/rest.li/compare/v29.49.4...v29.49.5
diff --git a/data/src/main/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/CompatibilityChecker.java b/data/src/main/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/CompatibilityChecker.java
index 4a5ec2cd4a..6e5dab8353 100644
--- a/data/src/main/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/CompatibilityChecker.java
+++ b/data/src/main/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/CompatibilityChecker.java
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ private void checkEnum(EnumDataSchema older, EnumDataSchema newer)
 
     if (!newerOnlySymbols.isEmpty())
     {
-      appendMessage(CompatibilityMessage.Impact.BREAKS_OLD_READER,
+      appendMessage(CompatibilityMessage.Impact.ENUM_VALUE_ADDED,
                     "new enum added symbols %s",
                     newerOnlySymbols);
     }
diff --git a/data/src/main/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/CompatibilityMessage.java b/data/src/main/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/CompatibilityMessage.java
index adb4a33dc2..ef6780454e 100644
--- a/data/src/main/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/CompatibilityMessage.java
+++ b/data/src/main/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/CompatibilityMessage.java
@@ -73,7 +73,11 @@ public enum Impact
     /**
      * Enum symbol order changed, which is a compatible change.
      */
-    ENUM_SYMBOLS_ORDER_CHANGE(false);
+    ENUM_SYMBOLS_ORDER_CHANGE(false),
+    /**
+     * New enum value added, which is wire compatible change. However, old readers may not be able to handle it.
+     */
+    ENUM_VALUE_ADDED(false);
 
     private final boolean _error;
 
diff --git a/data/src/test/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/TestCompatibilityChecker.java b/data/src/test/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/TestCompatibilityChecker.java
index f6a149bfbf..39bd29a2e6 100644
--- a/data/src/test/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/TestCompatibilityChecker.java
+++ b/data/src/test/java/com/linkedin/data/schema/compatibility/TestCompatibilityChecker.java
@@ -491,7 +491,6 @@ public void testUnion() throws IOException
         "[ { \"type\" : \"enum\", \"name\" : \"a.b.Enum\", \"symbols\" : [ \"B\", \"D\", \"E\" ] } ]",
         _dataAndSchema,
         true,
-        "ERROR :: BREAKS_OLD_READER :: /union/a.b.Enum/symbols :: new enum added symbols E",
         "ERROR :: BREAKS_NEW_READER :: /union/a.b.Enum/symbols :: new enum removed symbols A, C"
       },
       {
@@ -499,7 +498,6 @@ public void testUnion() throws IOException
         "[ \"string\", { \"type\" : \"enum\", \"name\" : \"a.b.Enum\", \"symbols\" : [ \"B\", \"D\", \"E\" ] }, \"int\" ]",
         _dataAndSchema,
         true,
-        "ERROR :: BREAKS_OLD_READER :: /union/a.b.Enum/symbols :: new enum added symbols E",
         "ERROR :: BREAKS_NEW_READER :: /union/a.b.Enum/symbols :: new enum removed symbols A, C"
       },
       {
@@ -787,7 +785,6 @@ public void testEnum() throws IOException
         "{ \"type\" : \"enum\", \"name\" : \"a.b.Enum\", \"symbols\" : [ \"B\", \"D\", \"E\" ] }",
         _dataAndSchema,
         true,
-        "ERROR :: BREAKS_OLD_READER :: /a.b.Enum/symbols :: new enum added symbols E",
         "ERROR :: BREAKS_NEW_READER :: /a.b.Enum/symbols :: new enum removed symbols A, C"
       },
       {
diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
index 84c571bc27..a51473b977 100644
--- a/gradle.properties
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-version=29.49.7
+version=29.49.8
 group=com.linkedin.pegasus
 org.gradle.configureondemand=true
 org.gradle.parallel=true
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/compatibility/CompatibilityInfoMap.java b/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/compatibility/CompatibilityInfoMap.java
index 7b5654cd5b..80a77d5bb4 100644
--- a/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/compatibility/CompatibilityInfoMap.java
+++ b/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/compatibility/CompatibilityInfoMap.java
@@ -42,9 +42,11 @@ public class CompatibilityInfoMap
   public CompatibilityInfoMap()
   {
     _restSpecMap.put(CompatibilityInfo.Level.INCOMPATIBLE, new ArrayList<>());
+    _restSpecMap.put(CompatibilityInfo.Level.WIRE_COMPATIBLE, new ArrayList<>());
     _restSpecMap.put(CompatibilityInfo.Level.COMPATIBLE, new ArrayList<>());
 
     _modelMap.put(CompatibilityInfo.Level.INCOMPATIBLE, new ArrayList<>());
+    _modelMap.put(CompatibilityInfo.Level.WIRE_COMPATIBLE, new ArrayList<>());
     _modelMap.put(CompatibilityInfo.Level.COMPATIBLE, new ArrayList<>());
 
     _annotationMap.put(CompatibilityInfo.Level.INCOMPATIBLE, new ArrayList<>());
@@ -128,7 +130,11 @@ public void addModelInfo(CompatibilityMessage message)
     }
     else
     {
-      infoType = CompatibilityInfo.Type.TYPE_INFO;
+      if (message.getImpact() == CompatibilityMessage.Impact.ENUM_VALUE_ADDED) {
+        infoType = CompatibilityInfo.Type.ENUM_VALUE_ADDED;
+      } else {
+        infoType = CompatibilityInfo.Type.TYPE_INFO;
+      }
     }
     info = new CompatibilityInfo(Arrays.asList(message.getPath()), infoType, infoMessage);
     _modelMap.get(infoType.getLevel()).add(info);
@@ -194,9 +200,10 @@ private static void createSummaryForInfo(Collection<CompatibilityInfo> info,
   public boolean isCompatible(CompatibilityLevel level)
   {
     final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> incompatibles = getIncompatibles();
+    final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> wireCompatibles = getWireCompatibles();
     final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> compatibles = getCompatibles();
 
-    return isCompatible(incompatibles, compatibles, level);
+    return isCompatible(incompatibles, wireCompatibles, compatibles, level);
   }
 
   public boolean isRestSpecCompatible(CompatibilityLevel level)
@@ -204,20 +211,22 @@ public boolean isRestSpecCompatible(CompatibilityLevel level)
     final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> incompatibles = getRestSpecIncompatibles();
     final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> compatibles = getRestSpecCompatibles();
 
-    return isCompatible(incompatibles, compatibles, level);
+    return isCompatible(incompatibles, new ArrayList<>(), compatibles, level);
   }
 
   public boolean isModelCompatible(CompatibilityLevel level)
   {
     final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> incompatibles = getModelIncompatibles();
+    final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> wireCompatibles = getModelWireCompatibles();
     final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> compatibles = getModelCompatibles();
 
-    return isCompatible(incompatibles, compatibles, level);
+    return isCompatible(incompatibles, wireCompatibles, compatibles, level);
   }
 
-  private boolean isCompatible(Collection<CompatibilityInfo> incompatibles, Collection<CompatibilityInfo> compatibles, CompatibilityLevel level)
+  private boolean isCompatible(Collection<CompatibilityInfo> incompatibles, Collection<CompatibilityInfo> wireCompatibles, Collection<CompatibilityInfo> compatibles, CompatibilityLevel level)
   {
-    return ((incompatibles.isEmpty() || level.ordinal() < CompatibilityLevel.BACKWARDS.ordinal()) &&
+    return ((incompatibles.isEmpty() || level.ordinal() < CompatibilityLevel.WIRE_COMPATIBLE.ordinal()) &&
+            (wireCompatibles.isEmpty() || level.ordinal() < CompatibilityLevel.BACKWARDS.ordinal()) &&
             (compatibles.isEmpty()   || level.ordinal() < CompatibilityLevel.EQUIVALENT.ordinal()));
   }
 
@@ -254,6 +263,15 @@ public Collection<CompatibilityInfo> getCompatibles()
     return get(CompatibilityInfo.Level.COMPATIBLE);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * @return check results in the backwards wire compatibility category.
+   *         empty collection if called before checking any files
+   */
+  public Collection<CompatibilityInfo> getWireCompatibles()
+  {
+    return get(CompatibilityInfo.Level.WIRE_COMPATIBLE);
+  }
+
   public Collection<CompatibilityInfo> getRestSpecIncompatibles()
   {
     return getRestSpecInfo(CompatibilityInfo.Level.INCOMPATIBLE);
@@ -274,6 +292,11 @@ public Collection<CompatibilityInfo> getModelCompatibles()
     return getModelInfo(CompatibilityInfo.Level.COMPATIBLE);
   }
 
+  public Collection<CompatibilityInfo> getModelWireCompatibles()
+  {
+    return getModelInfo(CompatibilityInfo.Level.WIRE_COMPATIBLE);
+  }
+
   public Collection<CompatibilityInfo> get(CompatibilityInfo.Level level)
   {
     Collection<CompatibilityInfo> infos = new ArrayList<>(getRestSpecInfo(level));
@@ -347,7 +370,7 @@ public boolean isAnnotationCompatible()
    */
   public boolean isAnnotationCompatible(CompatibilityLevel level)
   {
-    return isCompatible(_annotationMap.get(CompatibilityInfo.Level.INCOMPATIBLE),
+    return isCompatible(_annotationMap.get(CompatibilityInfo.Level.INCOMPATIBLE), new ArrayList<>(),
             _annotationMap.get(CompatibilityInfo.Level.COMPATIBLE), level);
   }
 
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/compatibility/CompatibilityReport.java b/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/compatibility/CompatibilityReport.java
index 69c56971c9..bb0fcce7fd 100644
--- a/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/compatibility/CompatibilityReport.java
+++ b/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/compatibility/CompatibilityReport.java
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ public CompatibilityReport(CompatibilityInfoMap infoMap, CompatibilityLevel comp
    *   <li>[RS-C] - String describing a restspec change that is backward compatible.</li>
    *   <li>[RS-I] - String describing a restspec change that is backward incompatible.</li>
    *   <li>[MD-C] - String describing a model(PDSC) change that is backward compatible.</li>
-   *   <li>[MD-C] - String describing a model(PDSC) change that is backward incompatible.</li>
+   *   <li>[MD-I] - String describing a model(PDSC) change that is backward incompatible.</li>
    *   <li>[RS-COMPAT] - Boolean indicating if the full compatibility check was restspec backward compatible for the provided compatibilityLevel</li>
    *   <li>[MD-COMPAT] - Boolean indicating if the full compatibility check was model backward compatible for the provided compatibilityLevel</li>
    * </ul>
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/idlcheck/CompatibilityInfo.java b/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/idlcheck/CompatibilityInfo.java
index ac73b4d6f6..f1315996e6 100644
--- a/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/idlcheck/CompatibilityInfo.java
+++ b/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/idlcheck/CompatibilityInfo.java
@@ -28,7 +28,13 @@ public class CompatibilityInfo
   public enum Level
   {
     INCOMPATIBLE,
-    COMPATIBLE
+    COMPATIBLE,
+
+    /**
+     * Old readers can deserialize changes serialized by new writers, but may not be able to handle them correctly.
+     * Currently only used for adding new enum values.
+     **/
+    WIRE_COMPATIBLE
   }
 
   public enum Type
@@ -48,6 +54,7 @@ public enum Type
     TYPE_UNKNOWN(Level.INCOMPATIBLE, "Type cannot be resolved: %s"),
     VALUE_NOT_EQUAL(Level.INCOMPATIBLE, "Current value \"%2$s\" does not match the previous value \"%1$s\""),
     VALUE_WRONG_OPTIONALITY(Level.INCOMPATIBLE, "\"%s\" may not be removed because it exists in the previous version"),
+    ENUM_VALUE_ADDED(Level.WIRE_COMPATIBLE, "%s, new enum value may break old readers"),
     TYPE_BREAKS_OLD_READER(Level.INCOMPATIBLE, "%s, breaks old readers"),
     TYPE_BREAKS_NEW_READER(Level.INCOMPATIBLE, "%s, breaks new readers"),
     TYPE_BREAKS_NEW_AND_OLD_READERS(Level.INCOMPATIBLE, "%s, breaks new and old readers"),
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/idlcheck/CompatibilityLevel.java b/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/idlcheck/CompatibilityLevel.java
index bbd8a17778..68d079960c 100644
--- a/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/idlcheck/CompatibilityLevel.java
+++ b/restli-tools/src/main/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/idlcheck/CompatibilityLevel.java
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ public enum CompatibilityLevel
 {
   OFF,
   IGNORE,
+  WIRE_COMPATIBLE,
   BACKWARDS,
   EQUIVALENT;
 
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/test/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/snapshot/check/TestPegasusSchemaSnapshotCompatibilityChecker.java b/restli-tools/src/test/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/snapshot/check/TestPegasusSchemaSnapshotCompatibilityChecker.java
index dae8cf2a75..ffeeb07d30 100644
--- a/restli-tools/src/test/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/snapshot/check/TestPegasusSchemaSnapshotCompatibilityChecker.java
+++ b/restli-tools/src/test/java/com/linkedin/restli/tools/snapshot/check/TestPegasusSchemaSnapshotCompatibilityChecker.java
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ public void testCompatiblePegasusSchemaSnapshot(String prevSchema, String currSc
 
   @Test(dataProvider = "incompatibleInputFiles")
   public void testIncompatiblePegasusSchemaSnapshot(String prevSchema, String currSchema,
-      Collection<CompatibilityInfo> expectedIncompatibilityErrors, Collection<CompatibilityInfo> expectedCompatibilityDiffs )
+      Collection<CompatibilityInfo> expectedIncompatibilityErrors, Collection<CompatibilityInfo> expectedWireCompatibilityDiffs,
+      Collection<CompatibilityInfo> expectedCompatibilityDiffs )
   {
     PegasusSchemaSnapshotCompatibilityChecker checker = new PegasusSchemaSnapshotCompatibilityChecker();
     CompatibilityInfoMap infoMap = checker.checkPegasusSchemaCompatibility(snapshotDir + FS + prevSchema, snapshotDir + FS + currSchema,
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ public void testIncompatiblePegasusSchemaSnapshot(String prevSchema, String curr
     Assert.assertTrue(infoMap.isModelCompatible(CompatibilityLevel.IGNORE));
 
     final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> modelIncompatibles = infoMap.getModelIncompatibles();
+    final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> modelWireCompatibles = infoMap.getModelWireCompatibles();
     final Collection<CompatibilityInfo> modelCompatibles = infoMap.getModelCompatibles();
 
     for (CompatibilityInfo error : expectedIncompatibilityErrors)
@@ -65,6 +67,11 @@ public void testIncompatiblePegasusSchemaSnapshot(String prevSchema, String curr
       Assert.assertTrue(modelIncompatibles.contains(error), "Reported model incompatibles should contain: " + error.toString());
       modelIncompatibles.remove(error);
     }
+    for (CompatibilityInfo diff : expectedWireCompatibilityDiffs)
+    {
+      Assert.assertTrue(modelWireCompatibles.contains(diff), "Reported model wireCompatibles should contain: " + diff.toString());
+      modelWireCompatibles.remove(diff);
+    }
     for (CompatibilityInfo diff : expectedCompatibilityDiffs)
     {
       Assert.assertTrue(modelCompatibles.contains(diff), "Reported model compatibles should contain: " + diff.toString());
@@ -72,6 +79,7 @@ public void testIncompatiblePegasusSchemaSnapshot(String prevSchema, String curr
     }
 
     Assert.assertTrue(modelIncompatibles.isEmpty());
+    Assert.assertTrue(modelWireCompatibles.isEmpty());
     Assert.assertTrue(modelCompatibles.isEmpty());
   }
 
@@ -145,8 +153,9 @@ private Object[][] compatibleInputFiles()
   {
     return new Object[][]
         {
-            { "BirthInfo.pdl", "compatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl", CompatibilityLevel.EQUIVALENT, CompatibilityOptions.Mode.DATA },
+            { "Date.pdl", "compatibleSchemaSnapshot/Date.pdl", CompatibilityLevel.EQUIVALENT, CompatibilityOptions.Mode.DATA },
             { "Foo.pdl", "compatibleSchemaSnapshot/Foo.pdl", CompatibilityLevel.BACKWARDS, CompatibilityOptions.Mode.EXTENSION },
+            { "BirthInfo.pdl", "compatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl", CompatibilityLevel.WIRE_COMPATIBLE, CompatibilityOptions.Mode.DATA },
         };
   }
 
@@ -169,8 +178,16 @@ private Object[][] incompatibleInputFiles()
             {   "BirthInfo.pdl",
                 "incompatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl",
                 incompatibilityErrors,
+                new HashSet<>(),
                 compatibilityDiffs
-            }
+            },
+            {   "BirthInfo.pdl",
+                "compatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl", // This is combination is compatible with WIRE_COMPATIBLE, but not with BACKWARDS
+                new HashSet<>(),
+                new HashSet<>(Arrays.asList(new CompatibilityInfo(Arrays.<Object>asList("BirthInfo", "eyeColor", "Color", "symbols"),
+                    CompatibilityInfo.Type.ENUM_VALUE_ADDED, "new enum added symbols GREEN"))),
+                new HashSet<>()
+            },
         };
   }
 }
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/test/pegasus/com/linkedin/restli/tools/pegasusSchemaSnapshotTest/BirthInfo.pdl b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasus/com/linkedin/restli/tools/pegasusSchemaSnapshotTest/BirthInfo.pdl
index 4c5baecaf9..12c2af1d41 100644
--- a/restli-tools/src/test/pegasus/com/linkedin/restli/tools/pegasusSchemaSnapshotTest/BirthInfo.pdl
+++ b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasus/com/linkedin/restli/tools/pegasusSchemaSnapshotTest/BirthInfo.pdl
@@ -6,4 +6,10 @@ record BirthInfo {
   year: int
 
   location: optional Location
+
+  eyeColor: enum Color {
+    BLUE
+    BROWN
+    OTHER
+  }
 }
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl
index da200c4c59..e6faff103f 100644
--- a/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl
+++ b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl
@@ -7,4 +7,9 @@ record BirthInfo {
     longitude: float
     name: optional string
   }
+  eyeColor: enum Color {
+    BLUE
+    BROWN
+    OTHER
+  }
 }
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/compatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/compatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl
index b7dae3df68..d9b9453bd6 100644
--- a/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/compatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl
+++ b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/compatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl
@@ -11,4 +11,10 @@ record BirthInfo {
     longitude: float
     name: optional string
   }
+  eyeColor: enum Color {
+    BLUE
+    BROWN
+    GREEN
+    OTHER
+  }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/compatibleSchemaSnapshot/Date.pdl b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/compatibleSchemaSnapshot/Date.pdl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1d8ae900ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/compatibleSchemaSnapshot/Date.pdl
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+record Date {
+  day: int
+  month: int
+  year: int
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/incompatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/incompatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl
index 2c23162431..00ff51d5f4 100644
--- a/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/incompatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl
+++ b/restli-tools/src/test/pegasusSchemaSnapshot/incompatibleSchemaSnapshot/BirthInfo.pdl
@@ -12,4 +12,9 @@ record BirthInfo {
     name: optional string
   }
   name: string
+  eyeColor: enum Color {
+    BLUE
+    BROWN
+    OTHER
+  }
 }
\ No newline at end of file