Step-by-Step Guide: Update Joomla 5 → Joomla 6 Safely

Important: Before upgrading to Joomla 6, make sure your site is updated to Joomla 5.4 first. Do not jump directly from an older 5.x version to 6.0.

1) Check System Requirements

• PHP: 8.2+ (8.2 or 8.3 recommended)
• MySQL: 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.5+
• Web Server: Apache 2.4+, Nginx 1.20+, or LiteSpeed
• PHP Memory Limit: 256MB+ recommended

2) Make a Full Backup

• Use Akeeba Backup or your hosting control panel’s backup tool.
• Backup both your site files and database.
• Store a copy safely off-server (on your PC or Google Drive).

3) Update All Extensions First

• Go to System → Extensions → Update and click Check for Updates.
• Install all available updates for components, modules, and plugins.
• Then check System → Maintenance → Database and click Fix if any database errors appear.

4) Check for Joomla 6 Availability

• Go to System → Update → Joomla and click Check for Updates.
• If Joomla 6 does not appear, go to System → Update → Joomla → Options (top-right corner).
• Under “Update Channel,” select Next Joomla and click Save & Close.
• Now check for updates again — Joomla 6 should appear.

5) Update in Two Steps

1. Step A: Update to Joomla 5.4
   • Go to System → Update → Joomla.
   • Click Check for Updates and install all updates until you reach version 5.4.
2. Step B: Update to Joomla 6
   • Stay in System → Update → Joomla.
   • When Joomla 6 appears, click Install the Update.
   • Wait for the process to complete — do not close your browser until it reaches 100%.

6) Post-Update Cleanup

• Clear Cache: Go to System → Clear Cache → select all → Delete.
• Database Fix: System → Maintenance → Database → click Fix if needed again.
• Check System → Maintenance → Global Check-in to make sure there are no locked items.
• Then open your website frontend and backend to verify everything works correctly.

7) Re-enable and Test Extensions

• Re-enable previously disabled extensions one by one and test after each activation.
• Update or replace any incompatible ones.

Extra Tips

• Test the upgrade on a staging site first (e.g., staging.yourdomain.com).
• Avoid upgrading during high-traffic hours.
• Keep your PHP version updated for better performance and security.

If Something Goes Wrong

• Restore your site using the backup made earlier.
• Check the update log at: /administrator/logs/joomla_update.php

All done! Your site should now be running safely on Joomla 6.