This guide walks you through everything, step by step, with practical explanations for each step matters.
Why Upgrade to Joomla 5?
- Modernized Code: Joomla 5 removes legacy cruft, improves performance, and adds better support for developers.
- Faster and Safer: PHP 8.2/8.3 support brings speed and security benefits.
- Better SEO Tools: New Schema.org plugin, Smart Search improvements, and semantic markup tools.
- Cleaner Admin: No major design change, but everything feels more solid.
And Joomla 4.4 (LTS) will reach end of life eventually—so upgrading keeps your site secure and supported.
How to Upgrade from Joomla 4 to Joomla 5: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow the steps below to migration your Joomla 4 to Joomla 5
Step 1: Backup Your Website
A backup gives you a safety net. If something fails, you can restore your site in minutes.
- Use Akeeba Backup for full backup
- Or manually: download all files + export database via phpMyAdmin
- Put your site offline during backup
Step 2: Check Server Requirements
Joomla 5 won’t run on outdated PHP or database versions.
| Requirement | Minimum Version |
|---|---|
| PHP | 8.1+ (8.2/8.3 recommended) |
| MySQL | 8.0.13+ |
| MariaDB | 10.4+ |
| PostgreSQL | 12+ |
Check in Joomla at System → System Information.
Step 3: Audit and Clean Up Extensions
Incompatible extensions are the #1 cause of upgrade failures.
- Update all extensions
- Uninstall unused ones
- Review page builders, frameworks, SEO tools, etc.
- Run Joomla’s Pre-Update Check to identify risks
Step 4: Enable Joomla 5 Update Path
Joomla doesn’t show major upgrades by default.
- Go to System → Update → Joomla
- Click Options
- Set Update Channel to
Joomla Next
Step 5: Run Pre-Update Compatibility Check
This step tells you if your setup is ready for Joomla 5.
- Review all extension compatibility results
- Remove/replace unsupported extensions
- Consult developers or changelogs if unsure
Step 6: Activate Backward Compatibility Plugin
This keeps older Joomla 4-compatible code running in Joomla 5.
- Go to System → Plugins
- Search for Behaviour - Backward Compatibility
- Ensure it’s Published
Step 7: Run the Joomla 5 Upgrade
This is the core update step.
- Go to System → Update → Joomla
- Check pre-update results
- Click “Install the Update”
- Wait for completion
Afterward, test both frontend and backend thoroughly.
Step 8: Post-Upgrade Cleanup
Some settings and caches need to be refreshed.
- Turn off Debug Mode
- Clear cache (System → Clear Cache)
- Rebuild Smart Search Index
- Recompile template assets if needed
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Site crash | Bad extension | Restore backup, disable extension |
| Blank admin | JS/template conflict | Switch admin template |
| 500 error | Server config | Check logs / disable ModSecurity |
| Database error | Schema mismatch | System → Database → Fix |
Tips for Developers
- Refactor deprecated APIs
- Switch to
CMSApplicationInterface - Use WebAssetManager for JS/CSS
- Test custom extensions on Joomla 5 staging
Final Thoughts
Joomla 5 offers a better platform for growth—but only with proper prep.
If you’d like expert help migrating your site, we’re ready to support you through the process.
