Upgrade from Joomla 4 to Joomla 5: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Joomla 5 introduces performance enhancements, improved security, and modernised code—but the best part? If you're already on Joomla 4.4, upgrading to Joomla 5 is a straightforward process, not a full migration. This guide walks you through the essential steps to ensure a smooth transition.

Why Upgrade to Joomla 5?

• Improved performance and speed

• Enhanced security features

• Cleaner, modern codebase

• Backwards compatibility plugin to support most Joomla 4 extensions

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure:

• Your site is running Joomla 4.4.x

• Your server meets Joomla 5 requirements:

• PHP 8.1+

• MySQL 8.0.13+ or MariaDB 10.4+

• PostgreSQL 12+ (if applicable)

• All third-party extensions are compatible with Joomla 5 or work with the Backwards Compatibility plugin

Step 1: Backup Your Website

Never skip this step!

• Use Akeeba Backup or your preferred tool to create a full site backup

• Alternatively, manually back up:

• All files via FTP or File Manager

• The database via phpMyAdmin (export as SQL)

Step 2: Enable the Joomla Next Update Channel

• Go to System → Update → Joomla

• Click Options (top right)

• Change Update Channel to Joomla Next

• Save and close

This will allow Joomla 5 to appear as an available update.

Step 3: Run the Pre-Update Check

Joomla will now show a Pre-Update Check screen. Review:

• Required settings (PHP version, database, etc.)

• Extension compatibility

• Warnings or errors

If any extensions are incompatible, update or uninstall them. You can also enable the Backwards Compatibility plugin to support older extensions.

Step 4: Perform the Upgrade

Once everything checks out:

• Click Install the Update

• Wait for the process to complete

• Clear your browser and Joomla cache

Step 5: Post-Upgrade Checklist

• Confirm the Joomla version in the backend (top right)

• Test frontend and backend functionality

• Re-enable any disabled extensions

• Check for template or CSS issues

• Turn off Debug Mode if it was enabled

Troubleshooting Tips

• If the site breaks, restore your backup and test the upgrade on a staging environment first

• Use System → Database → Fix to resolve database structure issues

• Check logs in System → System Information → Logs

Optional: Upgrade Using the Joomla 5 Update Package from GitHub

If you prefer a manual approach or your Joomla backend doesn't show the update, you can upgrade using the official Joomla 5 update package.
Step-by-Step:

• Download the Update Package (Visit the Joomla GitHub Releases page and download the latest Joomla 5.x Update Package (.zip))

• Backup Your Site (As always, create a full backup before proceeding.)

• Upload the Package (Go to System → Update → Joomla - Click the Upload & Update tab - Upload the .zip file you downloaded - Joomla will extract and apply the update)

• Clear Cache and Verify

• Confirm the version in the backend

• Run System → Database → Fix if needed

This method is especially useful if your server doesn't detect the update automatically or if you're managing multiple sites and want more control over the process.

Upgrading from Joomla 4.4 to Joomla 5 is a leap forward in performance and maintainability. With proper preparation and backups, the process is smooth and rewarding. Refer to the official Joomla documentation for deeper insights.