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Templates sometimes throw people for a loop during a migration. It need not be so. With a little explanation things can become clear as to what your options are.

Introduction

Templates are an extension. Just like components, modules and plugins are extensions so is a template.

In a migration you will need to decide what to do about your current template (which determines the current look and feel of your site).

For the most part your template scenario will fit into one of the options below:

• You are using a template that was purchased from a template club.
• You are using a template that was a one time purchase from some template provider.
• You had a custom template designed for you.
• You are using a default template that came with your Joomla installation which may have been customised significantly or not at all:
  • Joomla! 1.5 default templates were Rhuk_milkyway, JA Purity, Beez.
  • Joomla! 2.5 default templates were Atomic, Beez3, and Beez25.
  • Joomla! 3 default templates were Protostar and Beez3.
  • Joomla! 4 default template is Cassiopeia only.

Assessing Your Template Scenario

Before deciding what to do, assess if you want to keep the existing look of your current website. If you want a change, this is the time to decide. Perhaps the biggest reason you may want to change your template is to utilize newer technology found in templates of the current day. Responsive templates were not available in 1.5 at the beginning of the 2.5 life cycle.

Let’s take these scenarios one at a time:

You are Using Protostar

Protostar is not compatible with Joomla 4.x. The migration will work on the one-click from Joomla 3.10.x to 4.x but the template will disappear and be replaced with Cassiopeia upon migration. You will need to plan on using Cassiopeia or some other template in Joomla 4.

Why Can't You Carry Forward Protostar into Joomla 4?

Protostar is based on an old version of Bootstrap (Bootstrap 2) and jQuery (1.x). The versions of these components are outdated and have known security issues (Joomla 3 maintained forked versions of these libraries with security patches applied). Joomla 4 has updated these to the latest version—Bootstrap 5. However this means that templates need to be updated to use the new HTML syntax that Bootstrap 5 requires.

You are Using a Template that was Purchased from a Template Club

This is the easiest one—most of the time. If you purchased a template from a template club, go back to the company and see if they have a version of your template for Joomla 4. If so, excellent, with a few things to think about. If you’re running 1.5 going to 4.x, check to see if the version for Joomla 4 is responsive if that’s important to you. If you’re going from 1.5 to 4, chances are good that there will be some differences in the 1.5 version of the template and the 4 version of the template. Be prepared to make some customisations to the template if you want to get it to look exactly the same. If you are going from 1.5 to 4.x, chances are you will need to start with a new template.

If you’re going from 2.5 to 4.x or 3.10.x to 4.x, check to see if the 2.5 and 4.x versions or 3.10.x and 4.x versions are available in the same package from the developer. If they are not, check with the developer on steps to upgrade from Joomla 2.5 to 3.x and then 3.10.x to 4.x. If 2.5 and 3.x, or 3.10.x and 4.x are in the same package, you’re golden. If they’re not, you might still be golden. It just depends on the upgrade path of the developer.

You are Using a Template that was a One Time Purchase from Some Template Provider

If you purchased a template from a template provider that was a one time purchase, go back to the company and see if there’s a version available for Joomla 3.x or 4.x (depending on the migration you're doing). If there isn’t, you’re probably out of luck. Yet you can try contacting someone from the company to see if they can update it for you and make it compatible with Joomla 3.x or 4.x.

If that fails, then you will need to either:

1. Choose a new template.
2. Convert the template to be compatible with Joomla 4.x. (Note: may not be responsive.)

Item 1 is self explanatory. You can choose a template from a commercial provider or customise the Cassiopeia default template that installs with Joomla 4. (See more on Cassiopeia below.)

Item 2 not as simple. In order to convert your existing template to be compatible with Joomla 3 (and in time Joomla 4), see the following section.

Template Conversions or Template Migrations

1.5 to 3 Template Conversions

• Migrating a Template from Joomla 1.5 to 3.x

1.5 to 2.5 Template Conversions

• Upgrading a Joomla 1.5 template to Joomla 2.5
• http://magazine.joomla.org/issues/issue-may-2012/item/740-How-to-convert-Joomla-15-template-to-Joomla-25

2.5 to 3 Template Conversions

• J3.x:Converting A Previous Joomla! Version Template
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16055707/convert-joomla-2-5-template-to-3-0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E13QMWgvwlA

3.10.x to 4 Template Conversions

This section needs content. If you have knowledge on converting templates built for Joomla 3 to make them compatible with Joomla 4, please write a magazine article or post a YouTube or something that can be linked from this area. Thanks in advance.

• https://magazine.joomla.org/all-issues/october-2021/how-to-j4-ify-your-old-joomla-3-template

You had a Custom Template Designed for You

If you had a custom template designed for your 1.5, 2.5 or 3.x site, it will need to be converted to be compatible with Joomla 4. See links in the previous section. If you need to hire someone to convert your existing template to be compatible with Joomla 4.x, check out the Joomla! Community Portal Service Providers Directory for either the Template Development or Migrations & Upgrades categories.

You are Using a Default Template that Came with your Joomla Installation

Joomla! 1.5 default templates were Rhuk_milkyway, JA Purity, and Beez. Joomla! 2.5 default templates were Atomic and two different versions of Beez. Joomla! 3 default templates were Beez3 and Protostar. It may have been customised significantly or not at all. If you are using a 2.5 default template and going to Joomla 3.x, you will be able to do a one-click update. If you are using a 1.5 default template then you will need to go through one of the steps above to update it for Joomla 3.x. Joomla 3 default templates are not compatible with Joomla 4. You will not be able to use Protostar or Beez3 in Joomla 4.

Before deciding if you want to convert your 1.5 template to Joomla 4, seriously consider finding a new template with similarities to your existing template. Chances are it will be cheaper and faster to use a new one then convert the old one. If you want to convert the old one and don’t have the skills to do it yourself, visit the Joomla! Community Portal Service Providers Directory Migrations & Upgrades category.

Protostar, the template that ships with Joomla 3.x is not compatible with Joomla 4.x. You will need to go through one of the steps above to update it for Joomla 4.x.

When Choosing Templates

• Only look at one template company at a time or it gets overwhelming
• If you start to get overwhelmed, take a break even if that means another day
• Try to look past the busy and flashy demos. You’re going to be putting your content into the template, not doing everything the template can do.
• Look at the module positions and variations of the templates
• Drink plenty of water while looking for templates and stretch every hour or so

Using the Cassiopeia Default Template in Joomla 4

Several articles devoted to the Cassiopeia template are available here in the Joomla documentation. They are listed in the Joomla! Templates section of the Joomla 4 Portal.