In 2023 we wrote about Joomla 3 reaching its end and why sites needed to move to Joomla 4. Time moves fast. Joomla 4 is now past its end of life too, and Joomla 6 is the current version.
If your site runs on Joomla, here’s where things stand and what an upgrade involves.
Where Joomla stands today
- Joomla 6 came out on October 14, 2025. The latest release is Joomla 6.2, out October 13, 2026. Joomla plans bug fixes for 6.x until October 2028 and security fixes until October 2029.
- Joomla 5 has reached the end of its regular bug fixes. Version 5.4.10, released October 13, 2026, was the last bugfix release. It will get security fixes only until October 12, 2027.
- Joomla 4 stopped getting security fixes on October 14, 2025.
- Joomla 3 stopped getting security fixes in August 2023.
Will my site stop working?
No. Just like we said about Joomla 3, an older site doesn’t switch off on a certain date. It just stops getting fixes.
That’s the problem. When new security holes are found in an unsupported version, nobody patches them. Your site keeps running, but it gets easier to break into over time. A hacked site can put you and your visitors at risk.
So if you’re on Joomla 4 or older, it’s time. If you’re on Joomla 5, you have until October 2027 for security fixes. That’s time to plan, not time to wait.
Good news if you’re on Joomla 5
Joomla calls the move from 5.4 to 6.0 “an upgrade, not a migration.” That means it’s an update done from inside your site, not a rebuild.
A few things to know:
- Get to Joomla 5.4 first. Joomla says not to jump straight to 6 from an older 5.x version. Update to the latest 5.4 release, then go to 6.
- There’s a compatibility setting. Joomla 6 includes a “Backward Compatibility 6” setting that helps many older third-party features keep working. Before the upgrade, the Joomla 5 compatibility setting has to be turned off and the Joomla 6 one turned on. Joomla’s pre-update check looks for this.
- The pre-update check helps, but it isn’t the final word. It also flags add-ons that may not be ready. Joomla’s own docs say it’s only as good as the information add-on developers provide. Testing is still the way to know for sure.
If you’re on Joomla 4 or Joomla 3
Joomla 4 sites need to step up to the latest Joomla 5.4 before moving to 6. That’s more work than a single update, but it’s very doable with a plan.
Joomla 3 sites are a bigger job. The jump from 3 to 4 was a major change, and many templates and add-ons from the Joomla 3 days were never updated. For a lot of Joomla 3 sites, a fresh build on Joomla 6 makes more sense than stepping through every version. Either way, we can help you sort out which path fits.
What your server needs
Joomla 6 has higher server requirements than older versions:
- PHP 8.3 or newer (8.4 is recommended)
- MySQL 8.0.13 or newer, MariaDB 10.4 or newer, or PostgreSQL 12 or newer
Older hosting plans may not meet these. Check with your host, or ask us, before you start.
Your upgrade checklist
Here’s how we approach a Joomla 6 upgrade:
- Back up everything. Files and database. Then make sure the backup actually restores.
- Make a staging copy. Never test an upgrade on your live site. Use a private copy.
- Check your template and add-ons. List every third-party feature your site uses. Find out if each one supports Joomla 6. Update what you can. Replace or remove what won’t work.
- Check your PHP and database versions. Get your server up to Joomla 6’s requirements.
- Update to the latest Joomla 5.4 (if you’re not there yet).
- Run the upgrade on staging. Then click through everything: menus, forms, search, logins, anything people use to contact or buy from you.
- Fix what broke. Something usually needs attention. Better to find it on staging.
- Back up again, then go live. Repeat the upgrade on the live site, or move the tested copy over.
- Check it again after launch. Test forms and key pages, and keep an eye on things for a few days.
How we can help
We’ve been working with Joomla since it started in 2005. We’ve moved a lot of sites through a lot of versions.
If you’d like us to handle your upgrade, start with our Website Development services. Want to stop worrying about the next one? Our Website Care & Hosting plans include ongoing Joomla Aid: updates, backups and monitoring, on servers that meet Joomla’s requirements.
Not sure what version you’re on? Contact us and we’ll take a look. Call 678-379-9321 or email sales@3by400.com.