Joomla 6 upgrade · updated October 2026

Joomla 6: upgrade or switch?

Running Joomla 4 or Joomla 5? Then the question comes up on its own: should I move to Joomla 6, and how do I upgrade without breaking my site? Here you will read what Joomla 6 is, what ends for your current version, what the upgrade actually takes and when switching is the better move.

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Should I move to Joomla 6?

Yes, if you stay with Joomla. Joomla 6 has been the current version since 14 October 2025. According to the official Joomla roadmap, Joomla 5 still gets bug fixes until 13 October 2026 and security updates until 12 October 2027; Joomla 4 has received no updates since October 2025. You can upgrade with the built-in updater, but only if your template and extensions have a version for Joomla 6.

Joomla 4: no more updates since October 2025
Joomla 5: bug fixes until 13 October 2026, security until 12 October 2027
Joomla 6: out since 14 October 2025, bug fixes until 17 October 2028 and security until 16 October 2029

Joomla 4, 5 and 6 at a glance

The dates for Joomla 5 and 6 come from the official roadmap on developer.joomla.org. Joomla 4 is no longer listed there, because that line has already ended.

October 2025: Joomla 6 released, Joomla 4 ends
Joomla 6 was released on 14 October 2025. Since October 2025 Joomla 4 has received no updates at all, not even security updates.
13 October 2026: Joomla 5 without bug fixes
From 13 October 2026 Joomla 5 no longer gets regular bug fixes. Bugs that still turn up will stay.
12 October 2027: Joomla 5 without security
Security updates for Joomla 5 continue until 12 October 2027. After that, this line is closed as well.
2028 and 2029: end of Joomla 6
Joomla 6 gets bug fixes until 17 October 2028 and security updates until 16 October 2029.

Updating Joomla to Joomla 6: what it actually takes

Your site will not be locked if you wait, but upgrading to a new major version is more than pressing a button. These are the points to check off beforehand.

From Joomla 4, go to Joomla 5 first

An upgrade goes step by step: from Joomla 4 you usually move to the latest Joomla 5 release first and only then to Joomla 6. Check the current upgrade path in the documentation on joomla.org.

Template and extensions have to come along

Your template and every extension need a version for Joomla 6. If the developer has stopped, you look for a replacement and rebuild that part of your site.

PHP and server at the right level

A new Joomla version often requires a more recent PHP and database version. Check the current minimum requirements on joomla.org and ask your host whether your server meets them.

Test on a copy first

Make a full backup, set up a copy of your site and test the upgrade there. Go through forms, menus, multilingual content and your key pages before you go live.

Maintenance continues after the upgrade

Core, template and extensions each keep their own release cycle. On Joomla 6 too, updates and security are up to you or your developer.

Upgrade to Joomla 6 or switch?

Upgrade toJoomla 6

if you know Joomla well, your template and extensions have a version for Joomla 6 and you want to keep full control over server and code. Then upgrading is a fine choice: you are covered until 2029 and you are not locked in.

Switch to

if the upgrade already means replacing templates and extensions, and you would rather have one system for site, sales and customer contact, with hosting, updates and security included. Moving from Joomla to WordPress is also possible, but then you are still left with plugins and your own maintenance. Neuramerce is the third route, and we migrate you from Joomla for free.

Switching in 4 steps

Not going for the upgrade? Your site stays online. We handle the migration; you keep publishing.

Demo and intake
30 minutes. We look at your Joomla version, your extensions, your language setup and which URLs bring in traffic.
Connect and run alongside
We first run Neuramerce alongside for SEO, reviews or customer contact. Your visitors notice nothing on the front end yet.
Free migration
Articles, categories, media, menus and translations move over. We keep your URL structure where possible and cover the rest with redirects.
Live with one invoice
You switch to the new site, the extension licences can go and your team gets training.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Joomla 6.

01When was Joomla 6 released?

Joomla 6 was released on 14 October 2025. According to the official roadmap it gets bug fixes until 17 October 2028 and security updates until 16 October 2029.

02How long will Joomla 5 get updates?

According to the official roadmap, bug fixes stop on 13 October 2026 and security updates run until 12 October 2027.

03Does Joomla 4 still get updates?

No. Since October 2025 Joomla 4 has received no updates at all, not even security updates.

04How do I upgrade from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6?

First check whether your template and extensions have a version for Joomla 6 and whether your server meets the current minimum requirements on joomla.org. Make a backup, test the upgrade on a copy and then run it with the built-in updater.

05Can I go straight from Joomla 4 to Joomla 6?

Usually not: you first move to the latest Joomla 5 release and then to Joomla 6. Check the current upgrade path in the documentation on joomla.org.

06Is Joomla to WordPress a better choice?

It can be, especially if your developer knows WordPress better. You do swap extensions for plugins, and maintenance stays with you. If you do not want that, switching to a platform with hosting and updates included is a third option.

07Can I take my articles and menus to Neuramerce?

Yes. We migrate your articles, categories, media, menus and translations for you, at no extra cost.

08Will I lose my Google rankings if I switch?

Not if the migration is done properly. We keep your URL structure where possible and set redirects for everything that changes, including your meta titles and descriptions.