Joomla 4 update failed, live site down - set up a staging environment

Depending on the complexity of the website, the update from J3 to Joomla 4 can be a major step. Without the proper preparation, the Joomla 4 update will fail. It is strongly recommended to not on the live site, but in a staging environment carry this out. This helps avoid website downtime. A copy of the live site can be set up very easily using a backup extension.

Joomla 4 migration - updating Joomla 3 in a staging environment

More speed, more security, accessibility and plenty of new features - that is what Joomla 4 offers as the next stage in the evolution of the second most popular CMS alongside WordPress.
Das Update ist recht umfangreich - neben des Templates muss i.d.R. auch die ein oder andere Erweiterung auf ein moderneres Pendant be changed. Vollautomatisch kann das leider nicht funktionieren und nach dem Klick auf [ Update installieren ] sind einige manuelle Anpassungen nötig. Um diese in Ruhe durchführen zu können, bietet es sich an, eine Kopie der Live-Site anzulegen und ohne Risiko und Zeitdruck damit zu arbeiten.

Set up a Joomla staging environment in 8 steps

1. Using Akeeba Backup create a full backup (this includes files and database).
2. Create a folder for the staging environment on the webspace.
3. Create a subdomain with the host and link it to the folder created earlier, e.g. j4.example.org
4. Create a new database in the hosting panel - make a note of the access details.
5. Copy the created Akeeba backup (*.jpa or *.zip) into the folder created earlier.
6. Akeeba Kickstart download and extract it.
7. Upload kickstart.php to the same folder on the webspace.
8. Open j4.example.org/kickstart.php - extract the backup file and follow the backup installation instructions.

Additional tips

• Declare a content freeze for the live website
  - this allows the staging environment to go live directly, without any further content synchronization, if everything fits.
• If necessary, delete/disable the statistics/Google Analytics code so the staging environment does not appear in the analytics.

From Joomla 3 to Joomla 4 - update guide

A one-size-fits-all update guide is not possible due to the wide variety of J3 setups. As for the general procedure:
Nachdem Joomla vorab auf den neusten 3.10.x Stand gebracht wurde, muss unter Komponenten -> Joomla-Update oben rechts in den [ Optionen ] der Update-Server auf Joomla! Next be changed.

Anschließend zeigt Joomla! 3, spätestens nach einem Klick auf [ Auf Updates prüfen ] die Joomla! 4 Aktualisierung an.
In the Pre-Update Check (installation check for Joomla 4), all warnings indicating incompatibilities with third-party extensions should be resolved.

After that, the update can be started in the 'Live Update' tab.

Happy Updating! 🚀

...and best of success. If any questions or problems arise, the Joomla.de Support Forum as well as the Joomla! D-A-CH Facebook group are there to help with advice and practical support.

Template recommendations for Joomla! 4 - modern and future-proof

Cassiopeia
Joomla! Core at its best

Joomlaplates
powered by Astroid Framework

YOOtheme Pro
Universal Page Builder

Helix Ultimate
with page builder option

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