Portal:Upgrading Versions
From Joomla! Documentation
Before you begin, it is essential you know what version of Joomla! you are using. This is especially true if you are changing to a major version. If you are already confused or don't know what a major version is, you should read more about the release and support cycle of Joomla CMS Versions. Joomla is released with the following version designations: [major].[minor].[maintenance]. For example, version 3.9.5 is Joomla major version 3, minor 9, and maintenance release 5.
Since version 1.7, the updating and upgrading of Joomla is built into the administration interface as a component. The terms updating and upgrading might be used interchangeably. In many ways, updating and upgrading are alike since Joomla 1.7, but you will need to pay very close attention to the details. To help define them better, it is recommended you use the term migration which would be defined as a major.minor (2.5) to a different major.minor (3.1) version.
Simple Updating
Updates are an easy path to the next maintenance release and are backwards compatible, for example, version 2.5.13 to version 2.5.14. For Joomla CMS 3, these updates span all minor and maintenance releases. Some examples are version 3.1.2 to 3.3.6 and 3.3.1 to 3.3.6. Please see the specific pages to review version from and to.
Migration
The documentation below is a funnel starting with Why Migrate. Simply follow the buttons at the bottom of each page that are applicable to you. The Self Assessment will help you determine if doing the migration is within your skill set. Please don't skip the Planning pages as they include important information for your migration.
Migration 1.5 to 3.x
- Planning Migration - Joomla 1.5 to 3
- Joomla 1.5 to 3.x Step by Step Migration
- Migrating a Template from Joomla 1.5 to 3.x
Migration 2.5 to 3.x
- Planning for Mini-Migration - Joomla 2.5 to 3.x
- Joomla 2.5 to 3.x Step by Step Migration
- Joomla 2.5 to 3.x Common Migration Errors
Migration 3.10 to 4.x
- Planning for Mini-Migration - Joomla 3.10 to 4.x
- Joomla 3.10 to 4.x Step by Step Migration
- Joomla 3.10 to 4.x Common Migration Errors
Update 4.4 to 5.x (new)
Other Migration Considerations
Legacy Migration
Documentation on migration of a legacy version to another legacy version, for example from 1.0 to 1.5 or 1.5 to 2.5.
Historical Legacy Documentation
Use the links below for legacy documentation for older versions of Joomla! or lesser-used versions of Joomla! You are encouraged to search the Joomla! Community forum for even more information and education prior to starting your upgrades/migrations.
Upgrading to 3.10
Upgrading 1.6.5, 1.6.6, 1.7.x, 2.5.x to 3.x is covered by the following page.
Upgrading to J2.5
Upgrading 1.6.5, 1.6.6, 1.7.x, to 2.5 is covered by the following page.
Upgrading from 1.6.x(not 1.6.5 or 1.6.6 Versions)
You must upgrade to Version 1.7 first if you are on version of 1.6 below the maintenance release of 1.6.5.