As an experienced Joomla development team at ThePixel.dev, we’ve worked on hundreds of Joomla sites and upgrades, including complex migrations and custom extensions. We're already testing Joomla 6 and preparing our clients for a smooth transition.
Joomla 6 Overview
Joomla 6 continues the modernization process started in Joomla 4 and 5, with a focus on cleaner code, better accessibility, developer ergonomics, and future-proof architecture.
Current Status: Joomla 6 is currently in Alpha release. A stable release is expected in Q4 2025.
Minimum Requirements:
- PHP 8.2+
- MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.4+
- Joomla 5.x is the recommended upgrade base (not Joomla 3/4)
Note: Some features mentioned here are already included in the Alpha release, while others are based on the Joomla roadmap, GitHub activity, RFC discussions, and expected trends from Joomla’s development team. We will update this post as more features are finalized.
8 New Features in Joomla 6
1. New Admin UI Enhancements
The Joomla 6 backend has been refined for better usability. Site administrators will enjoy a cleaner layout, improved typography, and better navigation structure.
- Admin tasks become faster and more pleasant. It's especially helpful for teams managing large content sites or multiple modules.
- Improved UX with clearer navigation and dashboard layout
- More intuitive module and menu management
- Dark mode support for backend
- Refreshed typography and spacing for better accessibility
2. Revamped Media Manager
Expect major usability improvements: faster image loading, drag-and-drop uploads, folder previews, and in-browser editing tools (crop, resize, rotate).
- Non-technical users can manage media more easily without needing external tools. It saves time and reduces mistakes.
- Faster performance and better folder handling
- Image editing enhancements (resize, crop, rotate)
- Drag-and-drop upload with bulk actions
- File previews and metadata editing
3. Updated Workflow System
The workflow system introduced in Joomla 4 gets enhanced in Joomla 6 with better UI and more flexibility. You can create custom approval processes with multiple steps and roles.
- Ideal for editorial teams or multi-author websites. It helps maintain content quality and governance.
- Now supports advanced content approval chains
- UI updates to make workflow management easier
- More trigger points and granular permissions for editorial teams
4. Accessibility Improvements (WCAG 2.2)
Joomla 6 backend is being updated to meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards. This includes better screen reader support, keyboard navigation, and focus management.
- Accessibility isn’t optional. Joomla 6 helps you meet legal and ethical accessibility standards, especially in government, education, and nonprofit sectors.
- Backend admin UI meets WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines
- Improved screen reader support
- Focus management and keyboard navigation
5. New Layout Overrides System
Joomla 6 introduces improvements in how template overrides are handled. There’s better separation of logic and presentation, and a clearer file structure.
- For developers and designers, it simplifies the customization process and reduces the risk of template conflicts during updates.
- Override templates now support new file structures
- Improved separation of logic and display
- Easier override inheritance and versioning
6. Improved Multilingual System
Language handling in Joomla 6 is more efficient, with faster loading and an easier interface for language overrides and translations.
- Sites targeting multiple regions or languages can deliver content faster and manage translations more efficiently.
- Faster language loading and better translation key management
- Easier language override interface
- Improved frontend language switcher handling
7. Developer-Centric Changes
Joomla 6 continues removing old/deprecated code and adopts modern PHP 8.2 features, along with PSR-12 coding standards. There are also improvements in CLI tools and Composer integration.
- Cleaner code, faster dev workflows, and better compatibility with modern PHP environments. It helps developers build and maintain extensions with more confidence.
- Removal of legacy/deprecated APIs
- PHP 8.2+ typed property adoption
- PSR-12 compliance across core
- New CLI commands for site management
- Integration with modern package managers (Composer refinements)
8. Performance & SEO Enhancements
Joomla 6 improves core performance through lazy loading, updated caching strategies, and automatic canonical/OG tag generation.
- Faster load times and improved SEO rankings. Great for all site owners, especially eCommerce and high-traffic publishers.
- Lazy loading enabled by default
- Better caching strategies for dynamic modules
- Canonical tag generation improvements
- Structured data and OpenGraph support out of the box
Joomla 6 Lifecycle
| Version | Status | Support Until |
|---|---|---|
| Joomla 4 | Active LTS | Q4 2025 |
| Joomla 5 | Active | Q4 2026 |
| Joomla 6 | Incoming | ~Q4 2027 |
Why This Matters for Site Owners
If you run a business site, blog, portal, or eCommerce platform, staying up-to-date means less time worrying about hacks or slowdowns, and more time growing your audience.
- Security: Joomla 6 will be the most secure version yet, dropping legacy code and enabling stronger protections.
- Speed: Faster admin/backend and frontend rendering mean better user experience and SEO.
- Compatibility: Future-ready tech stack ensures compatibility with modern hosting, browsers, and third-party services.
What Developers Should Know
We’re actively testing custom extensions, templates, and dev workflows to ensure compatibility with Joomla 6. We recommend starting test migrations now.
- Legacy Plugin Removal: Extensions relying on legacy Joomla 3 methods will break—they need refactoring.
- Custom Template Overrides: Must be reviewed to align with new layout file structure.
- Composer Support: Joomla 6 relies more on Composer—custom dev setups should be updated.
- API Refactor: Extension devs will need to retest everything with Joomla 6 alpha/beta.
How to Prepare for Joomla 6
- Audit your current site: Identify legacy extensions, old templates, or custom hacks.
- Update to Joomla 5 first: Joomla 5 is the safe base to move to Joomla 6 later.
- Create a staging copy: Never test on live. Start a sandbox to test with Joomla 6 alpha.
- Work with experienced developers: Complex sites require hands-on attention.
Need help? We can do a full audit and create a detailed Joomla 6 upgrade plan for you.
Joomla 6 FAQs
Q: When will Joomla 6 be released?
A: The stable release is expected around Q4 2025. Alpha is available now for testing.
Q: Can I upgrade directly from Joomla 3 or 4?
A: No, upgrade to Joomla 5 first, then move to Joomla 6.
Q: Will my extensions work in Joomla 6?
A: Most major extensions will need updates. Check with your vendor or contact us for a compatibility audit.
Q: What if my template isn’t ready?
A: We can help you update or rebuild your template to meet Joomla 6 requirements.
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