JoomlaForever.com!
  • Home
  • News
  • Test & Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Login

Community Questions - News

How to Safely Upgrade Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 When Extensions Warn or Won't Auto‑Update

Details
Written by: Bjørn Ove Bremnes
Parent Category: Community Questions
Category: Community Questions - News
Published: 27 May 2026

If your site still runs Joomla 3.10 and the pre‑update checker shows warnings for extensions, you are not alone. Upgrading the core is usually straightforward, but incompatible extensions, templates or page builders can break a site. This guide gives a practical, low‑risk workflow you can follow: inventory extensions, create a tested staging clone and backups, address incompatible items, run the core upgrade on staging, test thoroughly, and then upgrade production with a rollback plan.

Throughout this article, be cautious with technical steps that affect live data. Verify server requirements and specific behaviors against the official Joomla documentation before making production changes.


Quick overview: What changes from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4

Joomla 4 modernizes the core: it raises PHP requirements, changes internal APIs and improves the administration UI. Because of those changes, some third‑party extensions and templates must be updated to remain compatible. The core upgrade updates only Joomla's core; third‑party extensions remain independent and must be individually addressed.

Overview: Why some extensions show warnings

  • Developers declare compatibility in extension manifests or via update metadata; a mismatch shows warnings in pre‑update tools.
  • Warnings may come from Joomla's pre‑update checker or from the extensions themselves when their code uses deprecated APIs.
  • A warning does not always mean immediate failure, but it signals the need to test the extension on a staging environment before upgrading production.

High‑level technical changes affecting extensions

  • Joomla 4 enforces stricter namespacing and has removed or refactored some legacy APIs; older extensions that directly reference removed classes can produce errors.
  • Minimum PHP version requirements for Joomla 4 are higher than for 3.10; your server must meet those before you upgrade.

Example: an older gallery extension may rely on deprecated Joomla classes. If left active during a core upgrade it can cause fatal PHP errors until updated or disabled.

Warning: Do not upgrade a live site without a verified rollback plan and working backups. Always test on staging first.

Pre‑upgrade safety checklist (backups, staging, PHP)

Before you touch the core update, complete the following essential preparation steps to minimise risk.

Create a complete site backup (files + database)

  • Use a tested backup tool or hosting snapshot. Tools like Akeeba Backup are commonly used in the Joomla community; verify any tool's behavior on your hosting platform before relying on it.
  • Verify backup integrity by restoring to a temporary location or extracting the archive locally.
  • Keep at least one offsite copy in addition to local/host backups.

Create a staging copy: cloning options (host tools, Akeeba, manual)

  • Options: host‑managed staging, Akeeba Kickstart/Restore, or a manual clone (copy files + export/import DB).
  • Adjust configuration.php and database credentials on the staging copy and prevent search engines from indexing it (robots.txt or HTTP auth).

Check server requirements: PHP, database and extensions (how to verify)

  • Check PHP version using your host control panel, phpinfo(), or Joomla System Information.
  • Confirm required PHP extensions (for example: mbstring, json, pdo_mysql). Verify the precise list and minimum versions against official Joomla documentation.
  • Change the PHP version on staging first, test, then plan to update production during the maintenance window.

Quick copy/paste mini checklist:

  1. Create full backup (files + DB) and verify restore.
  2. Restore backup to staging and secure staging URL.
  3. Set staging PHP to the version you plan to use on production.
  4. Run pre‑update checks on staging and prepare a remediation list for incompatible items.
Warning: When restoring to staging, do not accidentally point the staging site at production services (mail, payment gateways) without switching to test credentials.

How to audit installed extensions, templates and plugins

Build an inventory and prioritize what must be fixed before the core upgrade.

How to generate an extensions inventory and prioritize fixes

  • Open Extension Manager and list all components, modules, plugins and templates with their versions.
  • Create a spreadsheet with columns: Name, Type, Version, Vendor, Last updated, Stated Joomla compatibility, Priority (High/Medium/Low).
  • Prioritize high‑impact items first (authentication, ecommerce, forms, page builders, SEO plugins).

How to check extension compatibility (developer pages, Joomla update components, compatibility tools)

  • Check vendor product pages and changelogs for Joomla 4 support.
  • Use Joomla's update metadata where available to see declared compatibility.
  • When vendor guidance is unclear, restore the extension to staging and test it under Joomla 4 there.

Example spreadsheet row:

JCE Editor | Plugin | v2.9.x | VendorName | Last updated: 2022‑05 | Joomla 4 support: Yes/No | Priority: High

Warning: Do not rely on version numbers alone — verify changelogs or vendor statements about Joomla 4 compatibility.

Handling incompatible or unmaintained extensions (options and decisions)

When an extension is unmaintained or incompatible you have four broad options: update, replace, disable, or hire a developer to port/patch it. Choose based on functionality importance, security risk, and migration cost.

Options for unsupported extensions: update, replace, disable, or rewrite

  • Update — use the vendor's Joomla 4 release if available (easiest path).
  • Replace — identify maintained alternatives and plan how to migrate content and settings.
  • Disable/hide — acceptable for non‑essential features with little user impact.
  • Rewrite/patch — hire a developer if the extension is mission‑critical and no replacement exists.

Decision matrix for an unsupported extension

Use a simple matrix considering: security exposure, user impact, data complexity to migrate, and cost. Mark each extension High/Medium/Low on those criteria to make a decision.

Example scenario: A low‑traffic gallery extension lacking updates → replace with a maintained gallery extension that can import existing images; minimal user disruption expected.

Warning: Disabling an extension without cleaning up related database rows or content can leave orphaned data. Document and plan cleanups after disabling.

Step‑by‑step upgrade workflow for a safe migration

Follow this chronological checklist on staging first. Only when staging is fully tested repeat the steps on production during a maintenance window.

Preparing the site: disable caches, switch to default template if necessary

  • Disable system caches, CDN caching, and performance plugins on staging to get accurate test results.
  • If your template has heavy overrides and you suspect compatibility problems, temporarily switch staging to a default Joomla template to isolate template vs core issues.

Using Joomla's pre‑update checker and update path

  • Run the pre‑update checker available in Joomla or via a recommended extension and address reported issues where feasible.
  • Follow the Joomla Update component to apply the core upgrade once staging is prepared and incompatible extensions are dealt with.

Performing the core upgrade on staging and then on production

  1. Upgrade staging and perform the test plan below.
  2. Capture logs and screenshots of any warnings or errors; iterate fixes and retest.
  3. When staging is stable, schedule a production upgrade during low traffic: take a fresh backup, put the site in maintenance mode, and repeat the same sequence used on staging.

Example workflow summary:

  1. Clone to staging with a verified backup tool.
  2. Set staging PHP to the planned production PHP version and test extensions.
  3. Fix top incompatible extensions (update/replace/disable).
  4. Run Joomla pre‑update checker and upgrade core on staging.
  5. Execute test plan and capture results.
  6. Upgrade production, monitor logs and rollback if necessary.
Warning: Do not change PHP on production without validating on staging first — PHP incompatibilities can immediately break the site.

Testing the upgraded site: what to check first

Use a focused test plan to validate critical functionality and to detect subtle regressions.

Functional testing checklist: front-end, admin, forms, logins, search, module positions

  • Front‑end: open home, major landing pages, test responsive layout and module placement.
  • Authentication: test login/logout for admin and typical user roles.
  • Forms and integrations: submit contact forms, verify email delivery and any CRM/webhook integrations.
  • Admin: create/edit an article, check Media Manager and extension UIs.

Performance and SEO checks after upgrade

  • Run Lighthouse or a similar audit to identify performance regressions.
  • Verify sitemap, meta titles, breadcrumbs and robots/meta tags; ensure staging is blocked from search engines.

Example small test script:

  1. Visit home page and two inner pages.
  2. Login as an editor and update an article.
  3. Submit contact form and verify email.
  4. Check sitemap.xml and robots.txt.
Warning: Ensure staging is blocked from search engines to avoid duplicate content records.

Common problem areas (page builders, frontend editing, template overrides) and remedies

Some areas commonly cause trouble during Joomla major upgrades. Identify them early and plan mitigations.

Page builders and frontend editors

  • Page builders and frontend editors frequently need vendor updates to support Joomla 4. Identify pages built with these tools and test a sample page on staging.
  • Check whether the builder vendor provides migration or export tools; otherwise plan manual rebuild or substitution.

Template overrides and customizations

  • Inspect /templates/yourtemplate/html for overrides and document them before upgrading.
  • Test by temporarily switching to a default template; if errors disappear, the template override is the likely cause and must be updated.

Custom code and patched core files

  • If your site contains patched core files, identify and document these customizations. Prefer moving custom code into plugins or template overrides rather than touching core files.
Warning: Do not force unsupported page builders to run on production under Joomla 4—this can break the frontend and user experience. Plan a controlled migration on staging instead.

If something goes wrong: rollback and recovery options

If the upgrade causes failures, follow a clear rollback procedure and preserve diagnostic information for debugging.

Rollback plan: restoring backups and undoing changes

  • Immediately put the live site into maintenance mode to prevent further user disruption.
  • Restore files and database from the verified backup taken before the upgrade.
  • If available, use hosting snapshots for a faster rollback; verify your host's snapshot behavior before relying on it.

When to seek professional help after a failed upgrade

  • If error logs show fatal PHP errors, or the site has complex template and extension failures, hire a Joomla developer with upgrade experience.
  • Keep a copy of the broken state (files + DB) for the developer to inspect before restoring the backup—this aids diagnosis.

Example recovery sequence: if production shows a blank page after upgrade — 1) enable maintenance mode, 2) restore last backup snapshot, 3) collect logs and error messages, 4) reproduce the issue on staging for debugging.

Warning: Do not delete the broken site immediately. Preserve logs and copies to assist debugging by a developer.

When to hire professional help or consider rebuilding parts of the site

Decide whether a DIY migration is realistic based on site complexity and available expertise. For mission‑critical sites, or when many essential extensions are unmaintained, professional help is often the safer and quicker option.

Cost vs benefit: when rebuilding templates or migrating content is better

  • Estimate developer hours to port an extension vs. rebuild the feature with a supported solution. Include data migration, testing and SEO work in estimates.
  • Consider long‑term maintenance: choosing maintained extensions reduces future upgrade risks.

How to prepare an effective brief for a Joomla developer

  • Provide extension inventory, staging access, recent error logs, and a clear list of required behaviors to reproduce the issue.
  • Include non‑functional requirements such as acceptable downtime windows, rollback expectations and acceptance tests.
Warning: Avoid vendors that recommend risky shortcuts like editing core files without a documented plan for future upgrades.

Resources and next steps

Use authoritative sources and a short action list to get started immediately.

Action list: what to do today

  1. Create a full site backup and verify a restore to a local or staging environment.
  2. Restore to staging and secure it from search engines.
  3. Build an extension inventory and mark the top 3 critical extensions for action (update/replace/disable).

Where to find official compatibility info

Primary sources for compatibility and upgrade procedures are the official Joomla documentation, vendor product pages/changelogs for extensions, and the Joomla Extensions Directory. Verify any technical claim against those primary sources before applying changes to production.

Next steps summary: Back up → Clone to staging → Audit extensions → Address top issues → Upgrade staging → Test → Upgrade production with rollback plan.

FAQ

Will the site break if I try the Joomla 4 upgrade on my live site?

There is risk, especially when incompatible extensions or templates are active. Always test on a staging clone first, create a full backup, and have a rollback plan. Schedule the upgrade during low traffic and consider professional help if the site is mission‑critical.

How can I find out which extensions are incompatible with Joomla 4?

Generate an inventory from the Extension Manager, check vendor pages and changelogs for Joomla 4 support, and run Joomla's pre‑update checker on staging. Prioritize based on how critical each extension is to your site's functionality.

What if the original developer disappeared and some extensions have no updates?

Options include replacing the extension with a maintained alternative, disabling the feature and hiding related UI, or hiring a developer to port or patch the extension. Assess the migration effort versus the business value of the feature before deciding.

Do I need to change my PHP version before upgrading?

Possibly. Joomla 4 requires newer PHP versions than Joomla 3.10. Verify the exact minimum and recommended PHP versions (and required PHP extensions) against the official Joomla documentation and test the PHP version on staging before applying changes to production.

Will upgrading Joomla core automatically update third‑party extensions?

No. Core upgrades do not automatically convert or update third‑party extensions to Joomla 4 compatibility. Extension updates are released by their vendors and must be applied separately. Confirm this behavior with the official Joomla upgrade documentation.

Conclusion

Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 is entirely achievable with planning and caution. The essential ingredients are a verified backup, a secure staging clone, a careful inventory of extensions and templates, and a staged workflow that upgrades and tests on staging before production. Where extensions are unmaintained, weigh the cost of replacement or developer work against the feature's value. When in doubt, seek an experienced Joomla professional to reduce risk.

Verify all technical details and requirements against official Joomla documentation before making production changes.

Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4: A Practical, Low‑Risk Checklist for Beginners

Details
Written by: Bjørn Ove Bremnes
Parent Category: Community Questions
Category: Community Questions - News
Published: 27 May 2026

If your site is on Joomla 3.10 and you see compatibility warnings when preparing to move to Joomla 4, you are not alone. The upgrade is a common and manageable task provided you follow a methodical plan: inventory extensions and templates, create reliable backups, run the upgrade on a staging copy, and perform a controlled live upgrade with rollback options.

This guide gives a copyable checklist and concrete steps you can follow even if you are not a developer. It focuses on reducing risk: how to prepare, what to test, and when to call a professional.


Quick answer: Is it safe to attempt the upgrade?

Short answer: It can be safe if you prepare properly. The main causes of upgrade failure are incompatible extensions or templates, custom code, and mismatched server (PHP) versions. If you create a complete backup and run the upgrade on a staging copy first, you reduce the chance of breaking the live site.

What "warnings" usually mean

  • Compatibility warnings typically indicate that an extension or template has not been tested or updated for Joomla 4 and may use deprecated APIs.
  • PHP-level warnings indicate code that uses functions removed or deprecated in the PHP version you selected; they can surface after changing PHP for Joomla 4 testing.
  • A warning is a flag to investigate and test, not an automatic blocker — but treat high-risk components (payment gateways, authentication, ecommerce) with extra caution.

Practical scenarios

  • Small analytics plugin shows a warning: test on staging; low risk if functionality is non-critical.
  • Custom payment plugin flagged as unknown: treat as high risk and investigate alternatives or a developer fix before upgrading live.

Warning: Do not run the live Joomla update without a tested backup and a staging test run.

Before you start: prerequisites and a short-term safety plan

Gather credentials, schedule a maintenance window, and decide a rollback strategy before touching the site. Clear communication with stakeholders avoids surprises.

What to gather

  • Administrator login to Joomla back-end.
  • FTP/SFTP or SSH access (for file operations and emergency fixes).
  • Database access (phpMyAdmin or direct credentials) for backups and troubleshooting.
  • Hosting control panel access for snapshots or PHP version switching.
  • Contact list and schedule for any stakeholders.

Quick safety checklist to print and use

  1. Full site file backup completed and verified.
  2. Database backup completed and verified.
  3. Staging copy created and working.
  4. List of installed extensions and templates exported.

Warning: Never keep backups only on the same server — download them to local or cloud storage.

Step 1 — Full site backup and create a staging copy

Back up both site files and the database separately, verify those backups by restoring to a staging environment, and work on the staging copy for all upgrade tests.

Recommended backup approach and restore test

  • Tools commonly used in the Joomla community include Akeeba Backup and host-managed snapshots. Use a tool you understand and can restore from.
  • Verify backups by restoring to a subdomain or local environment and checking that the site functions before attempting upgrades.
  • Keep multiple backup copies (e.g., an older weekly backup plus the fresh pre-upgrade backup).

How to create a staging site

  • Subdomain approach: create a subdomain (a protected staging subdomain), create a new database, restore backup, and update configuration.php to point to the new DB.
  • Local VM approach: use tools such as Local, MAMP, WAMP or Docker containers to run the site locally if you prefer offline testing.
  • Hosting-provided staging: many hosts offer one-click staging — consult your host documentation or support.

Manual restore example (high-level)

  1. Export DB via phpMyAdmin (SQL file) and download site files via SFTP.
  2. Create new DB and user for the staging site; import SQL file into new DB.
  3. Upload site files to the staging location and edit configuration.php with new DB credentials and staging URL settings.
  4. Test front-end and admin access; block search indexing for the staging site.

Warning: Ensure staging is not indexed (use robots.txt or password-protect) and do not use production credentials in public or shared staging environments.

Step 2 — Check server and PHP requirements

Identify your current PHP, database and web server versions and plan changes on staging first. Matching the target PHP version for Joomla 4 helps expose compatibility issues before live upgrade.

How to check PHP version and switch safely

  • Find the PHP version in Joomla Administrator > System > System Information > PHP Information.
  • Most hosts provide a PHP selector in cPanel (MultiPHP Manager) or Plesk. Change PHP on the staging subdomain first and watch error logs for deprecated function notices.
  • If your hosting panel lacks an easy switch, request support or use a separate environment for testing.

Practical examples

  • On cPanel: use MultiPHP Manager to set the PHP version for the staging subdomain; check site pages and error logs.
  • On managed hosting: open a support ticket asking the host to change PHP for the staging environment in a maintenance window.

Warning: Upgrading PHP can expose deprecated code in extensions. Test error logs after each change and do not change production PHP until staging passes tests.

Step 3 — Audit extensions, templates and custom code

Inventory all extensions and templates and decide which to update, replace or remove. Pay particular attention to critical systems such as payments, authentication, forms and SEO/security plugins.

Building an extension compatibility list

Create a simple spreadsheet; here is a copyable template you can paste into a spreadsheet app:

  • Columns: Extension name | Type (component/module/plugin) | Installed version | Vendor | Joomla 4 compatible? (Yes/No/Unknown) | Action (Update/Replace/Remove) | Priority | Notes

What to check for templates and overrides

  • Confirm whether your template vendor provides a Joomla 4 version; if not, plan for replacement or rebuild.
  • Inspect template overrides in /templates/your-template/html for code that calls deprecated Joomla APIs.
  • On staging, test switching to a default Joomla 4 template (for example, the default frontend template) to see if layout issues are template-related.

Practical example rows (sample entries)

  • Contact form component | component | 3.2.1 | VendorX | Unknown | Test on staging / Contact vendor | High
  • SEO plugin | plugin | 2.0.5 | VendorY | Yes (J4 release) | Update on staging | Medium
  • Custom payment plugin | plugin | 1.0.0 | (internal) | No | Replace or port | Critical

Warning: Treat extensions marked as "unknown" as potential blockers until you can test them in staging. Custom code should be reviewed by a developer rather than guessed at.

Step 4 — Update everything that is updatable on Joomla 3.10

Before attempting the Joomla core upgrade, bring extensions and templates up to their latest Joomla 3.10-compatible versions — some vendors publish intermediate releases preparing their code for Joomla 4.

How to update third-party extensions safely

  • Perform updates on the staging site first and verify the site functions after each group of updates.
  • Read extension changelogs for any breaking changes or required manual steps.
  • Update in small batches to make troubleshooting simpler — don’t update everything at once unless you have a rollback plan.

Practical update workflow

  1. On staging: Extensions > Manage > Update — run available updates for third-party extensions that list Joomla 3.10 compatibility or Joomla 4 readiness.
  2. Test critical functionality (forms, payments, admin tasks) after each batch.
  3. Document any updates that required additional configuration.

Warning: Some updates alter the database schema. Keep database backups and be prepared to restore if a multi-extension update produces unexpected results.

Step 5 — Run the Joomla pre-update checks and create a test plan

Use available pre-update checks and a manual test plan to exercise critical functionality after upgrading on staging.

What to include in the test plan

  • Front-end smoke tests: homepage, key category pages, article pages, search, responsive checks on small/large screens.
  • Admin tests: logging in, creating/editing an article, media manager uploads, extension configuration pages.
  • Functional tests: submit contact form, test payment gateway in sandbox, send an email, run scheduled tasks and backups.
  • Record baseline screenshots and performance metrics before the upgrade to compare after.

Copyable pre-upgrade checklist (staging)

  1. Confirm staging is a faithful copy of production.
  2. Switch staging to the target PHP version for Joomla 4 and watch logs for errors.
  3. Run component-compatibility checks and note all warnings.
  4. Execute the test plan items and log pass/fail for each item.

Warning: Automated checks can miss custom integrations — include manual testing of all critical user journeys.

Step 6 — Perform the upgrade on staging, test thoroughly

Run the Joomla core upgrade on the staging copy using the same process planned for production. Monitor logs and run the full test plan. Fix errors on staging until the upgrade is stable.

Typical post-upgrade tests

  • Front-end layout and interactivity: menus, modules, JavaScript-driven components.
  • Admin area actions: article creation/editing, media manager, extension configuration access.
  • Functional checks: forms, payment sandbox transactions, newsletter sends, scheduled tasks.

Troubleshooting common errors

  • White screen / HTTP 500: check PHP error logs and enable debugging on staging to capture stack traces.
  • Fatal errors naming classes/methods: likely an incompatible extension — disable suspect extensions and retest.
  • Template layout breakage: switch to the default template to determine whether the template or an extension causes the problem.

Practical troubleshooting examples

  • If the admin login page fails with a fatal error referencing a plugin, disable that plugin by renaming its folder or via the database in the staging copy, then seek an update or replacement.
  • If CSS/layout breaks after upgrade, switch to a default Joomla 4 template to confirm template incompatibility, then plan a template update or replacement.

Warning: Do not enable verbose error display on production. Only enable detailed debugging on staging. Document any code changes made while fixing issues.

Step 7 — Plan and perform the live upgrade with rollback options

When staging is stable, plan a short maintenance window for production. Take a final full backup immediately before the live upgrade. Follow a concise sequence and be ready to roll back quickly if needed.

Live update checklist (exact sequence to follow)

  1. Take a final fresh full backup (files + database). Verify download integrity.
  2. Put the live site into maintenance mode.
  3. Run the same upgrade process you used on staging.
  4. Run smoke tests from your test plan (homepage, admin login, forms).
  5. Clear Joomla and server caches, check error logs, re-enable scheduled jobs.
  6. Exit maintenance mode and monitor for issues for at least the next few hours.

Rollback options

  • Restore the pre-upgrade full backup (files + DB). This is usually the safest revert method.
  • If your host provides snapshots, restoring a snapshot is often the fastest way to recover.
  • If only minor issues occur, consider putting the site back into maintenance mode and resolving on staging before reopening.

Warning: Database schema upgrades can complicate rollback — ensure the backup taken immediately before the live upgrade is complete and tested.

Troubleshooting common upgrade problems

This section lists frequent issues and practical ways to diagnose and fix them.

White screen or HTTP 500

  • Check server and PHP error logs for the first reported fatal error.
  • Temporarily disable suspect third-party extensions by renaming plugin folders or updating the database to change the extension state.
  • If you cannot recover, restore the pre-upgrade backup and escalate to a developer.

Broken templates or layout

  • Switch to a default Joomla 4 template to confirm whether the custom template is the problem.
  • Review template overrides for deprecated API calls and either update them or migrate to a supported template.

Missing admin access

  • Disable authentication plugins by renaming their folders or editing the extensions table to set enabled=0 for the suspect plugin.
  • Use the database or file system to restore admin access on staging first to determine the correct fix for production.

Warning: Never edit core Joomla files on production unless you have a version-controlled, tested patch and a rollback plan.

Decisions for abandoned or incompatible extensions

When a vendor has not updated an extension for Joomla 4, you have three main choices: wait (if the vendor is active and an update is coming soon), replace with an actively maintained alternative, or hire a developer to port or recreate the needed functionality.

Decision matrix: replace, retire or custom port

  • Vendor active and update planned soon: consider waiting and test the site on staging periodically.
  • Vendor inactive and extension critical: replace with an actively supported alternative or hire a developer to port.
  • Low-value feature: retire the extension to simplify the site.

Practical example

If you have an abandoned slider extension used only for decorative purposes, consider replacing it with a lightweight CSS slider built into your template or a maintained module. For critical functionality like payments, map exact feature requirements and choose a maintained component with support for Joomla 4.

Warning: Replacing extensions often requires content migration and template adjustments—allow time for retesting.

When to call a Joomla developer — and what to ask them

If your site contains custom integrations, abandoned but critical extensions, or if you are uncomfortable with database-level fixes, hire a developer. Provide a clear brief and credentials for a temporary account.

Checklist to hand to a hired developer

  • Site URL and staging URL.
  • Admin credentials (temporary) and hosting control panel access or SSH (temporary preferred).
  • Backups and the exact location of backup files.
  • Exported list of installed extensions with the compatibility spreadsheet.
  • Clear tasks requested: e.g., test upgrade, port extension X, migrate template Y, test payment gateway.

Warning: Use temporary accounts and rotate passwords after work completes. Clarify who is responsible for resolving bugs discovered after the developer's work is live.

FAQ

Will my site break if I try an automatic upgrade from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4?

Not necessarily — but there is risk. Following a staged process (backup, staging, extension audit, update on staging first) reduces the risk significantly. Incompatible extensions, templates or custom code are the most common causes of breakage.

How do I tell which extensions and templates are compatible with Joomla 4?

Build a compatibility spreadsheet and check vendor pages, the Joomla Extensions Directory and changelogs. Unknown items should be prioritized for staging tests or vendor contact.

What server/PHP versions are required for Joomla 4?

Joomla 4 requires newer PHP than Joomla 3.10. Exact minimum and recommended PHP versions can change — verify the current requirements on the official Joomla system requirements page before upgrading.

How can I safely switch PHP versions?

Test switching PHP on a staging environment first. Many hosts offer MultiPHP Manager (cPanel) or a Plesk selector. If your host lacks a switch, request support or use a separate test environment.

What should I do if an extension is abandoned or not compatible?

Decide to replace, retire, or hire a developer to port it. Prioritize based on how critical the extension is and create a feature map to find equivalent replacements.

How do I roll back if something goes wrong during the live upgrade?

Restore the pre-upgrade full backup (files + DB) or use a hosting snapshot if available. Ensure you took a complete backup immediately before the live upgrade so you can restore to the exact pre-upgrade state.

When should I hire a Joomla developer?

Hire help when you have critical custom code, abandoned essential components, or when you lack confidence performing staging, debugging fatal errors, or database-level fixes.

Conclusion — upgrade with caution and method

Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 is a routine but potentially complex task. The key is preparation: take verified backups, create a staging copy, audit and update extensions, test the upgrade thoroughly on staging, and finally perform the live upgrade with a tested rollback plan. If critical integrations or custom code exist, involve a Joomla developer.

Use the checklists in this guide as your starting point and verify version-specific technical details (PHP minimums, official pre-update tools and recommended upgrade commands) against the official Joomla documentation before making production changes.

Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 — a practical, beginner-friendly checklist

Details
Written by: Bjørn Ove Bremnes
Parent Category: Community Questions
Category: Community Questions - News
Published: 27 May 2026

Upgrading a Joomla site from 3.10 to Joomla 4 is a sensible move for long‑term security and features, but it often scares site owners because of third‑party extensions, custom templates and PHP version changes. This guide gives a practical, beginner‑friendly checklist and a safe sequence to follow. The single safety promise: never run the core upgrade on production without a tested backup and a successful staging dry run.


Quick answer: risk, time and outcomes — what to expect

Short answer: the upgrade can be low‑risk if you perform it on a staging copy, have verified backups, and confirm that third‑party extensions and your template are Joomla 4 compatible. Risk rises when many extensions are unmaintained, when templates use deep core overrides, or when you cannot create a staging environment.

Typical time and outcomes

  • Small sites (few extensions, standard template): 1–3 hours on staging plus ~1 hour for production.
  • Medium sites (several third‑party components): several hours to a full day to test and fix issues.
  • Complex sites (custom code, commerce systems, integrations): days or longer; likely need developer support.

When upgrades are typically smooth

  • Your site relies mainly on core features and well‑maintained extensions that list Joomla 4 support.
  • Hosting already meets Joomla 4 requirements and PHP can be switched safely on staging.

When to expect trouble or postpone

  • Many custom or unmaintained third‑party extensions and deep custom template overrides.
  • No reliable backup or inability to create a staging copy.
  • Complex integrations (payment gateways, external APIs) that cannot be tested easily in staging.

Practical example: Site A uses five popular extensions with active updates — likely smooth in a few hours. Site B uses ten custom plugins with no vendor support — expect replacement work and several days of effort.

Warning:

Do not attempt the core upgrade on production without a tested backup and staging dry run. Joomla core will not automatically convert incompatible third‑party extensions — extension updates are controlled by their vendors.

Pre-upgrade checklist (summary)

This one‑page checklist lets you prepare quickly before the detailed steps below. Print or save it and tick items off as you go.

One‑page quick checklist

  • Create a full backup (files + database) and verify you can restore it.
  • Make a staging copy of the site and run the upgrade there first.
  • Inventory all extensions, plugins and template customizations.
  • Confirm server meets Joomla 4 requirements and plan PHP changes.
  • Plan a maintenance window for the production upgrade.
  • Document a rollback plan and download backups offsite.
Warning:

A backup is only useful if you can restore it. Always test a restore on a separate environment before changing production.

Step 1 — Inventory: list your core, extensions, plugins and template

Before changing anything, build a complete inventory so you can identify which items may cause problems.

Why an inventory matters

An inventory highlights risk points, records who to contact for updates, and helps prioritise work. You may discover that a single unmaintained plugin is the blocker for a smooth upgrade.

Fields to include (spreadsheet template)

  • Extension name
  • Type (component, module, plugin, template)
  • Current version
  • Developer / vendor
  • Update available (Y/N)
  • Joomla 4 compatible (Y/N/Unknown)
  • Action required (update / replace / disable / remove)
  • Notes / contact information

What 'incompatible' typically looks like

  • Frontend errors or white screens, admin page errors, missing layout or menu items.
  • PHP fatal errors or deprecated function warnings in logs.
  • Extensions that partially work with degraded functionality.

Sample inventory row: Akeeba Backup | Component | 7.6.0 | Akeeba Ltd. | Update available: Y | Joomla 4 compatible: Y | Action: update on staging.

Warning:

Do not rely only on the Extension Manager listing — check the Joomla Extensions Directory (JED) or the vendor website for official Joomla 4 compatibility statements.

Step 2 — Back up and create a staging site (don’t work on production)

Cloning your site to staging is essential. Work on the staging copy until everything is proven, then repeat the same steps in production during a maintenance window.

Backup methods: files + database vs. full‑site packages

  1. Manual backup: export the database (phpMyAdmin, Adminer or CLI) and compress/download the site files (via FTP/SFTP or control panel). Store both copies offsite.
  2. Backup extensions: many backup tools produce a full restore package — verify that the extension supports a full‑site restore to a staging environment before relying on it.
  3. Test restore: import the DB and restore files on a separate environment to confirm the backup integrity.

Creating a staging environment

  • Options: host‑provided staging (recommended if available), a subdomain (a protected staging subdomain), a subfolder, or a local environment (DevDesktop, Docker, etc.).
  • Clone steps: copy files, import DB, update configuration.php with the new DB credentials and site URL, and adjust tmp/log paths if necessary.
  • Secure staging: protect with HTTP authentication, set Robots meta to noindex, and disable outgoing emails (or route them to a testing mailbox).

Step‑by‑step backup example:

  1. Create a full‑site backup via your chosen method and download the archive and DB dump.
  2. Create the staging site (subdomain) and upload files.
  3. Import the DB dump and update configuration.php and the site's live URL settings.
  4. Test staging: open the front‑end, log into the admin, and confirm key pages work.
Warning:

If your backup tool is unverified, also take manual DB and files backups. Be careful editing configuration.php — incorrect values can break the staging site.

Step 3 — Verify server requirements and PHP version plan

Joomla 4 requires specific PHP, database and webserver versions. Confirm the exact requirements against the official Joomla documentation before making changes to production.

How to check current PHP version

  • Joomla admin: System → System Information shows PHP version.
  • Create a phpinfo.php with <?php phpinfo(); ?> and open it (remove after use).
  • Check your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk or host custom panel) for a PHP version selector.

When to update PHP: staging vs production

Always switch PHP on staging first and test thoroughly. If problems appear, fix them on staging before repeating the process on production in a maintenance window. Some hosts allow per‑directory PHP versions or multiple PHP runtimes — these are useful for testing.

Recommended sequence (example): switch PHP on staging → run tests → perform Joomla core upgrade on staging → when everything is green, schedule and perform equivalent steps on production.

Warning:

Do not upgrade PHP on production before a successful staging run. Higher PHP versions may expose incompatibilities in older extensions.

Verify the exact minimum and recommended PHP versions for the Joomla 4 release against the official Joomla system requirements before changing PHP in production.

Step 4 — Handle incompatible extensions and templates

This is the core risk area. Decide whether to update, replace, disable or remove each incompatible item.

Options for incompatible extensions

  • Update: if a Joomla 4 compatible version exists, test it on staging first.
  • Contact vendor: ask about timelines or paid upgrade paths.
  • Replace: search the JED for maintained alternatives and test replacements on staging.
  • Disable/remove: for non‑essential items, disable temporarily to reduce upgrade complexity, but back up DB first because some uninstalls alter tables.

Templates and custom overrides

Templates often need work. Check the vendor for a Joomla 4 update. If your site relies on many template overrides, test by switching to a default Joomla 4 compatible template on staging to isolate template causes from core ones.

Using the Extension Manager

  • Check Extensions → Manage → Update for available updates.
  • Temporarily disable suspected extensions and re‑test to see if issues resolve; disabling is safer than immediate uninstall when diagnosing.

Decision flow example: Extension flagged incompatible → check vendor for Joomla 4 release → if none, search JED for alternatives → test replacement on staging → remove or disable original when replacement is verified.

Warning:

Removing or disabling an extension can change database state or content. Back up the database before removing an extension, and test changes on staging first.

Step 5 — Perform the Joomla core upgrade (safe sequence)

Follow a disciplined sequence: prepare staging, update PHP if required, update compatible extensions, then run the core upgrade. Repeat the same steps on production once staging is verified.

Recommended sequence on staging

  1. Ensure PHP and server requirements meet Joomla 4 (verify exact values against official docs).
  2. Update third‑party extensions that explicitly support Joomla 4.
  3. Put staging in maintenance mode and take a fresh backup.
  4. Run the Joomla core upgrade.
  5. Clear caches, test key pages and admin tasks.

Admin GUI vs CLI (pros and cons)

  • Joomla Update component (GUI): easier for beginners and visible in the admin interface; may be blocked by some hosting setups or large files.
  • CLI (SSH/composer): more control and often faster for large sites; requires SSH access and command‑line familiarity.

Production checklist: schedule low‑traffic window → final backup → switch PHP if required → put site in maintenance mode → run upgrade → clear caches and monitor logs.

Warning:

If a core upgrade fails and leaves the site partially updated, avoid ad‑hoc fixes on production. Restore from backup and diagnose on staging.

Verify whether your current Joomla 3.10 minor version can be upgraded directly via the Joomla Update component for the specific Joomla 4 release—check the official Joomla documentation before performing the upgrade.

Step 6 — Post-upgrade checks and testing

After upgrading, run a set of functional and monitoring checks to confirm the site is healthy.

Testing checklist: front‑end, admin, forms and integrations

  • Visit the homepage and the top 20 pages; verify layout and content render correctly.
  • Test forms and contact pages; confirm emails are sent (use staging sandboxed addresses before production).
  • Log in as admin and perform key tasks in major components (e.g., create/edit an article, run a batch process).
  • Test integration endpoints: payment gateway sandbox, API connections, CRMs; verify scheduled tasks or cron jobs run.
  • Check server and Joomla logs (PHP error log and logs in administrator) for new warnings or errors.

Checklist before going live

  • Remove maintenance mode when confident.
  • Take a fresh backup and download it offsite.
  • Inform stakeholders of the change and expected monitoring period (24–72 hours).
  • Monitor performance and error logs closely in the immediate post‑upgrade period.
Warning:

Some issues only appear under real user load. Keep monitoring and have a rollback plan ready. Also, clear server caches and restart PHP‑FPM or clear OPCache if available to avoid stale code running.

Troubleshooting common problems and rollback options

Understand the common failure modes and prepare clear rollback steps.

Common post‑upgrade problems

  • Blank pages (white screen) or PHP fatal errors.
  • Broken templates or missing styles.
  • Forms or modules not functioning.
  • 500 server errors or permission issues.

Rollback approaches

  • Full restore: restore files + DB from the pre‑upgrade backup — most reliable but requires downtime.
  • DB restore only: faster but may not correct file‑level changes introduced by partial updates.
  • Component/template revert: switch to a default Joomla 4 template if frontend rendering is broken to buy time for debugging.

Diagnostic steps

  1. Put site into maintenance mode to prevent further errors affecting visitors.
  2. Check PHP and webserver error logs for the exact messages.
  3. On staging, enable Joomla debug mode and reproduce the error to find the faulty extension or template.
  4. If a single extension is the cause, try disabling it and check whether the site recovers.
Warning:

Never overwrite production files until you have a verified restore plan and downloads of backups. Some control‑panel restores omit custom cron jobs or non‑standard folders — verify what will be restored before relying on a single restore method.

When to hire professional help and how to find it

Know when the upgrade is beyond your skillset and how to vet Joomla specialists.

Red flags that indicate a professional is needed

  • Extensive custom template overrides or many unmaintained extensions.
  • Business‑critical integrations (payments, membership, ERP) that cannot tolerate downtime.
  • No reliable backups or inability to create staging.

What to ask prospective developers

  • Show examples of previous Joomla 3→4 upgrades and references.
  • Will they perform the upgrade on staging, test, and perform a documented rollback test?
  • Request an itemised plan, timeline and firm milestones, and ask about post‑upgrade monitoring.

Budget guidance: simple upgrades may cost a few hundred dollars; complex migrations with custom work can be significantly more. Prefer developers who provide a clear plan rather than open‑ended promises.

Resources and further reading

Bookmark official sources and the Joomla Extensions Directory while preparing your upgrade. Verify all external documentation against the current Joomla release at publication.

Suggested pages to bookmark

  • Official Joomla upgrade documentation (verify URL at publication).
  • Joomla 4 system requirements (verify exact PHP and database versions).
  • Joomla Extensions Directory (JED) to check extension compatibility or find alternatives.
Warning:

External links and system requirements should be verified at the time you upgrade — documentation and recommended versions change over time.

FAQ

Will my site "blow up" if I try the automatic Joomla core upgrade?

Not if you follow the checklist: run the upgrade on a staging copy first, ensure tested backups, and check extension compatibility. Most upgrade failures are caused by incompatible third‑party extensions or incorrect PHP versions.

How do I find which extensions and templates are incompatible with Joomla 4?

Build an inventory from Extensions → Manage, then confirm each extension’s Joomla 4 status on the vendor site or JED. On staging, disable suspicious extensions one by one to isolate problems. Automated compatibility tools exist — verify their accuracy before relying on them.

Do I need to change PHP before or after upgrading Joomla?

Update PHP on staging first and test. After a successful staging core upgrade and tests, perform the PHP change in production during the scheduled maintenance window. Verify exact PHP requirements against official Joomla docs before changing PHP in production.

How do I create a safe staging copy of my site?

Create a clone on a subdomain or use a host‑provided staging environment, import the DB, update configuration.php and block search engines and email sending. Test login and key functionality on staging before attempting upgrades.

What are my rollback options if the upgrade causes problems?

Primary options: restore a full backup (files + DB), restore DB only, or switch to a default template and disable problematic extensions while diagnosing. Confirm your backup method supports full restores before relying on it.

What to do if the original developer is unavailable?

Inventory the site, document extension and template versions, look for maintained alternatives in JED, consider hiring a Joomla specialist with migration experience, or temporarily disable non‑essential extensions while you plan replacements.

Conclusion

Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 is a manageable project when approached methodically: inventory everything, back up and clone to staging, verify server and PHP requirements, address incompatible extensions and templates, perform the core upgrade on staging first, then repeat on production during a maintenance window. If you have custom code, business‑critical integrations or many unmaintained extensions, plan for professional help.

When in doubt, verify upgrade steps and system requirements against the official Joomla documentation before making production changes, and always test your restore process ahead of time.

How many clicks to create a new Joomla category — Baseline, shortcuts

Details
Written by: Bjørn Ove Bremnes
Parent Category: Community Questions
Category: Community Questions - News
Published: 27 May 2026

When you're writing or editing an article in Joomla and realize you need a new category, the default admin workflow often forces a context switch. That can mean saving, navigating to Category Manager, creating the category, and returning to the article to assign it. The result is extra clicks, lost flow, and wasted time. This article gives a measured baseline of the typical core flow (illustrative and requiring verification on your Joomla version), practical no-extension shortcuts you can apply immediately, a checklist for evaluating extensions, and a compact developer plan for a safe inline ‘quick add category’ feature.

Important: the exact Joomla admin UI varies by version (Joomla 3.x vs Joomla 4.x), admin templates, and installed extensions. Any technical detail that depends on a specific Joomla version is flagged in the technicalClaimsToVerify array for verification before you make production changes.


Overview: Why category creation becomes a repetitive task

Editors often discover missing categories while composing content. Creating a new category mid-edit requires leaving the article form in many admin setups, which interrupts the writing flow and increases the chance of losing unsaved work. Understanding the default separation between content editing and category management helps explain why the extra clicks occur.

Why the default flow requires leaving the article form

Joomla's admin separates Article editing and Category management into distinct manager views. The article form typically shows a category selector populated from the Category table, but—in many core setups—doesn't include a built-in “add new category” control inside the article form itself. That separation means editors must navigate to the Category Manager to create categories and then return to the article to assign them.

Note: admin templates, third-party plugins, or newer Joomla versions may change this behavior. Verify your Joomla version's admin UI before assuming behavior on your site.

Practical example

Imagine you are drafting an article about a new product line and want to categorize it under "Products — New Series". You begin writing, discover the category doesn't exist, and perform the usual sequence of navigation and saving to create and assign the category. That context switch is the friction this article addresses.

Default Joomla workflow — step-by-step click count (baseline)

This section provides an illustrative baseline sequence for creating a category mid-edit in a typical Joomla admin. Treat the click counts below as an example: verify the exact numbers in your Joomla installation and version before using them for process metrics.

Baseline: Article edit → Category Manager → Create category → Reassign article (clicks broken down)

  1. Open Article editor (New Article or open existing) — 1 click to open from Articles list.
  2. Realize category missing and save draft (optional) — 1 click for Save or Save as Draft (depends on workflow).
  3. Navigate to Content > Categories (Category Manager) — 1 click on main menu, or 1-2 clicks via Components menus depending on menu layout.
  4. Click New to create a category — 1 click.
  5. Type category name and other required fields — typing (0 clicks) and possibly 1 click to fill parent selector.
  6. Click Save & Close — 1 click.
  7. Return to Articles list and reopen the article (or switch back to the article tab) — 1-2 clicks depending on whether you used a new tab.
  8. Select the newly created category from the dropdown — 1 click to open dropdown, 1 click to choose the option.
  9. Click Save to store the article — 1 click.

Example total (illustrative): roughly 8–11 clicks, depending on navigation paths and whether you used a second browser tab. Your count will vary with Joomla version, admin template, keyboard shortcuts, and whether you saved a draft first. Verify the exact flow on your site.

Warning: Exact click counts and available actions may differ across Joomla versions (3.x vs 4.x), custom admin templates, or CMS configurations. Confirm the baseline on a test site before making workflow decisions that depend on these numbers.

Quick practical ways to reduce clicks (no extensions)

Before installing additional software, try several safe, low-risk tactics that can reduce clicks and keep you in the editor flow.

Pre-create categories vs. rapid organization strategies

Plan a short taxonomy checklist before content creation. For planned editorial campaigns or sections, create a set of categories in advance so you rarely need to interrupt editing sessions. Example checklist items:

  • Core site sections (News, Products, Tutorials)
  • Planned temporary sections (Campaigns, Events)
  • Parent categories expected to contain multiple child categories

Using lists, filters and bulk moves to avoid creating categories mid-edit

Create drafts in bulk and reassign them later. Steps:

  1. Create multiple draft articles and keep them unassigned or assigned to a temporary category.
  2. Open Category Manager (in a second tab), create required categories.
  3. Use Article Manager filters to find drafts, bulk-select them, and change the category in one operation.

This approach converts repeated single-item edits into a few bulk operations, saving clicks overall.

Keyboard shortcuts and small UI tricks

Use browser tabs to avoid navigating away from the article form:

  • Right-click the Category Manager menu link and open it in a new admin tab. Create the category there, then return to the article tab and select the new category. This avoids reloading the article editing form.
  • Save frequently. If your workflow requires saving before switching, a quick Save is less disruptive than losing typed content.

Note: Some keyboard shortcuts or quick actions may exist in your Joomla version. Confirm what shortcuts are available and enabled on your site before relying on them.

Warning: Bulk operations and category creation require appropriate permissions. Do not assume all editors have rights to create or bulk-edit categories and articles.

Extensions and plugins: what to look for (and verification checklist)

Extensions can add inline category creation or other admin UX improvements. Before installing anything, evaluate compatibility, security, and maintenance status.

How to evaluate an extension (version, reviews, update frequency)

Basic evaluation checklist:

  • Compatibility: Supports your Joomla major version (3.x or 4.x).
  • Maintenance: Last update date and changelog frequency.
  • Reputation: Developer or vendor credibility and support availability.
  • Reviews and issues: Community feedback and reported problems.
  • Permissions: What ACL permissions the extension requires and whether it respects Joomla ACL.
  • Security: Whether it sanitizes inputs, enforces CSRF tokens, and uses Joomla APIs.
  • Testing: Always test on a staging environment and have a backup/rollback plan.

Common extension behaviors and what to expect

Typical extension behaviors that address inline category creation include:

  • A small button next to the category selector that opens a modal form to create a category via AJAX.
  • Form field enhancements that allow adding a category name inline and then saving it to the database.
  • Full admin UX toolkits that change the Article or Category Manager layouts.

On success, a well-built extension should return the newly created category ID and label, refresh the dropdown, and select it. On failure, it should present clear validation errors without losing the article form state.

Warning: Do not install admin-side extensions on production without staging tests. Verify server-side checks (ACLs and CSRF) during testing.

If you build a 'quick add category' feature: UX and technical plan

For developers: a minimal safe implementation can provide the benefits of inline category creation while respecting Joomla security and conventions.

UX flows: modal vs inline field vs separate tab

  • Modal approach: A button next to the category selector opens a compact modal. Pros: keeps the article form visible, avoids full page reloads. Cons: requires JavaScript and robust error handling.
  • Inline field approach: An expandable inline form inside the article form. Pros: direct and fast. Cons: may clutter the UI and require more complex form logic.
  • Separate tab fallback: Provide an in-UI hint to open Category Manager in a new tab if JS is disabled or the user prefers not to use modals.

Technical components and pseudocode

Minimal components:

  • Client: Button triggers modal; modal form submits an AJAX POST with CSRF token; on success the client inserts a new option into the category <select> and selects it.
  • Server: Admin controller endpoint that validates ACL (server-side), validates input (name, alias, parent), creates the category via Joomla model/API, and returns JSON {success:true, id:123, label:'New Category'}.
  • Testing: Unit tests for server endpoint and manual tests for role-based ACL, alias generation, parent/child relationships, and error handling.

Pseudocode (conceptual):

Client:
  1. User clicks "Add category" button.
  2. Show modal with Name and Parent fields and CSRF token.
  3. POST to secured admin endpoint using fetch/AJAX including token.
  4. On success: insert new option into select and set selected value.
Server:
  1. Check user is logged in and authorized to create categories (server-side ACL check).
  2. Validate request token and input fields.
  3. Create category using Joomla category API/model, returning new ID and title.
  4. Return JSON success or structured error messages.

Warning: Exact Joomla API names, controller routes, model methods, and ACL strings differ between Joomla versions. Verify the recommended APIs and hooks against the official Joomla developer documentation before implementing.

Step-by-step faster workflow examples

This section offers comparative example flows and where the savings come from. All numeric examples are illustrative and should be verified on your Joomla build.

Comparative click counts: baseline vs two-tab vs inline quick-add (example)

Illustrative example (numbers are approximate and depend on your site):

  • Baseline: ~9–11 clicks (open article, save, open Category Manager, create category, return, select category, save).
  • Two-tab trick: ~5–7 clicks (open article, open Category Manager in new tab, create category, return to article tab, select category, save). Saves several clicks by avoiding navigation within the same tab and reloads.
  • Inline quick-add (ideal): ~3–5 clicks (open article, click Add Category button, type name, click create, dropdown selects new category, save). Saves the round-trip entirely.

The savings are primarily from avoiding leave-and-return navigation and reducing page reloads. Inline solutions save the most per-creation but require development or an extension.

Bulk reassignment example (saving clicks across multiple articles)

If you have 10 drafts to assign to a newly-created category, bulk reassignment can be fastest:

  1. Create new category in Category Manager (2 clicks + typing).
  2. Filter Article Manager for drafts, select the 10 drafts (use the top checkbox), and choose the new category in the bulk change action, then apply (3–5 clicks total).

This replaces 10 individual edits with a handful of actions, saving substantial time when working with many items.

Security, permissions and compatibility considerations

Any inline category creation feature must obey Joomla security and ACL rules. The server must perform authoritative checks regardless of client-side behavior.

ACL checks and admin permissions

Only users with appropriate permissions should be able to create categories. Implementations must check ACL on the server (for example, the equivalent of checking ‘create’ rights for categories). Administrators should use role-based access and avoid giving broad rights to general editors unless necessary.

Testing for Joomla 3 vs Joomla 4 differences

Joomla 3 and Joomla 4 have differences in admin UI, JavaScript frameworks, and possibly token names and APIs. Test any extension or custom code on the major Joomla versions you use, and on popular admin templates or third-party content tools that may modify the article form.

Testing checklist (recommended):

  1. Install and test on a staging copy of your site.
  2. Login as roles that should and should not have create permission and confirm behavior.
  3. Attempt to POST without a CSRF token and confirm server rejects it.
  4. Test category creation with parent selection, alias collisions, and special characters.
  5. Confirm dropdown refresh behavior across browsers and admin templates.

Warning: Missing server-side ACL or CSRF checks may allow unauthorized category creation. Always validate input, enforce tokens, and limit privileges.

Conclusion and recommended next steps

Creating categories mid-edit is a common but avoidable friction. Start with no-extension tactics (two-tab workflow, pre-creating categories, and bulk reassignment) to reduce clicks immediately. If your editors frequently need new categories, consider a vetted extension or a small inline-add plugin built using Joomla APIs, but always test on staging and verify ACL and CSRF handling.

Recommended immediate actions

  1. Measure your baseline clicks on your Joomla version to understand the real cost in your environment.
  2. Try the two-tab trick and bulk reassignment workflows during editing sessions.
  3. If the problem persists, evaluate extensions using the checklist in this article or commission a small plugin following the developer plan here.

FAQ

Can I create a category without leaving the article edit screen in core Joomla?

Short answer: usually no in core Joomla admin UI. Some admin templates or extensions may add inline or modal controls. Verify the UI in your Joomla version before assuming behavior.

How many clicks will I actually save by using a 'quick add category' extension?

It depends on the extension and your workflow. Inline modals typically remove a round-trip to Category Manager and can save several clicks per creation. Measure in your environment to calculate real savings.

Is it safe to install an extension that creates categories from the article form?

Yes, when you follow a careful evaluation: check compatibility, maintenance, ACL handling, CSRF protection, and test on staging. Avoid installing unmaintained or poorly documented extensions on production.

If I want to build this feature, what would be the simplest approach?

A minimal approach: inject an Add Category button near the category select, open a modal, POST via AJAX to a secured admin controller that validates ACL and CSRF tokens, create the category through Joomla APIs, and return the new ID so the client selects it. Verify exact APIs with Joomla developer docs.

Will this workflow differ between Joomla 3 and Joomla 4?

Yes. Admin UI and developer APIs have differences between major versions. Verify implementation details for each Joomla major version you support.

Further reading and resources

Before taking action, consult the official Joomla documentation for Article Manager and Category Manager and the Joomla developer docs for programmatic category creation. Use the Joomla Extensions Directory to find maintained admin UX extensions and always test changes on a staging environment.

Excerpt

This article measures the typical click-cost of creating a new category in Joomla (illustrative), presents safe no-extension shortcuts (two-tab trick, bulk reassignment, pre-creation), provides an extension-evaluation checklist, and outlines a compact developer plan for an inline quick-add category feature. Verify all technical details on your Joomla version before deploying.

Page 3 of 9

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • How to Safely Upgrade from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 When Extensions Block the Way

    This guide helps Joomla site owners move from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 when third-party extensions or PHP requirements appear to block the way. Follow a staged, test-first workflow: audit extensions, make reliable backups, create a staging copy, run the upgrade there, and only deploy to production when the...

  • How to Control Where Users Are Redirected After Login in Joomla (Beginner’s Guide)

    It’s common to see a successful login but the site sends users to the wrong page or an error after sign-in. This guide shows where Joomla decides the post-login destination, how to create a stable landing page (menu item recommended), how to configure the core Login module, how to detect...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4: a practical, safety-first checklist for beginners

    This guide walks a Joomla site owner through a safety-first, non-technical approach to upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4. It focuses on practical checkpoints: creating a full inventory of extensions and templates, preparing a verified backup and staging copy, identifying compatibility risks,...

  • What are components/com_remository pages? Interpreting 'Files Search Results' and 'Last Searches' on archived Joomla sites

    If you found archived URLs like /index.php?option=com_remository showing headings such as "Files Search Results" and a list called "Last Searches," it's understandable to be concerned. These pages typically come from a Joomla extension, but an archive snapshot alone does not prove current exposure or...

  • How to Upgrade Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 When Extensions Are Warning or Broken

    If your Joomla 3.10 site shows warnings about extensions or some plugins appear broken when you try to move toward Joomla 4, you are not alone. Upgrading the Joomla core is a safe and common process — the risk usually comes from third‑party extensions that rely on older APIs or older PHP versions. This...

  • Is JoomLMS Still in Business? How to Check & Protect Your Joomla Client Sites

    Many Joomla site owners depend on third-party extensions such as JoomLMS for critical functionality. When vendor support becomes unresponsive it creates uncertainty for you and your clients. This guide gives a step-by-step workflow you can follow immediately: a quick vendor triage you can do in...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4: A Practical, Risk‑Reducing Checklist for Beginners

    Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 is an important step for improved security, modern features and longer support life. The most common upgrade problems arise from incompatible third‑party extensions, outdated templates or untested server configurations. This guide gives a practical,...

  • Are AI Coding Tools Helpful for Joomla Development? A Beginner’s Guide

    If you are building or maintaining Joomla sites you may be wondering whether AI coding assistants ("coding robots") can speed your work or whether they introduce more risk than benefit. This guide explains, in practical terms, what AI tools do well for Joomla projects, where they commonly fail,...

  • How to Safely Upgrade Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 When Extensions Warn or Won't Auto‑Update

    If your site still runs Joomla 3.10 and the pre‑update checker shows warnings for extensions, you are not alone. Upgrading the core is usually straightforward, but incompatible extensions, templates or page builders can break a site. This guide gives a practical, low‑risk workflow you can follow:...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4: A Practical, Low‑Risk Checklist for Beginners

    If your site is on Joomla 3.10 and you see compatibility warnings when preparing to move to Joomla 4, you are not alone. The upgrade is a common and manageable task provided you follow a methodical plan: inventory extensions and templates, create reliable backups, run the upgrade on a staging...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 — a practical, beginner-friendly checklist

    Upgrading a Joomla site from 3.10 to Joomla 4 is a sensible move for long‑term security and features, but it often scares site owners because of third‑party extensions, custom templates and PHP version changes. This guide gives a practical, beginner‑friendly checklist and a safe sequence to...

  • How many clicks to create a new Joomla category — Baseline, shortcuts

    When you're writing or editing an article in Joomla and realize you need a new category, the default admin workflow often forces a context switch. That can mean saving, navigating to Category Manager, creating the category, and returning to the article to assign it. The result is extra clicks,...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4: A Practical Pre‑Upgrade Checklist When Extensions Warn or Won’t Auto‑Upgrade

    Upgrading a Joomla 3.10 site to Joomla 4 can be straightforward when your site uses primarily core features. Problems usually appear when third‑party extensions, templates with overrides, or custom code are present. This guide gives a practical, non‑technical checklist to audit extensions, create a...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4: A Beginner’s Safe Checklist When Extensions Show Warnings

    If you see compatibility warnings while preparing to upgrade from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4, you are not alone. Many site owners worry that clicking "Upgrade" will break a live site—especially if the original developer is unavailable. This guide gives a calm, practical, step-by-step workflow: gather...

  • Of Course I Found a Critical Bug on Launch Day — Joomla Extension Pre‑Launch Checklist & Fast Debug Guide

    Finding a critical bug right as you’re about to launch is stressful but common. Environment differences, packaging mistakes, missing assets, database migration issues, or unexpected dependency changes often surface only during final validation or under production load. The goal in the first hour is...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 — A Calm, Safe Checklist When Extensions Block the Update

    If you see warnings about extensions while preparing to upgrade Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4, don’t panic. The core upgrade path exists, but third-party extensions, templates and page-builders are often the source of trouble. This guide gives a safe, step-by-step workflow: audit, backup, clone to...

  • Troubleshooting SP Page Builder purchases: how to cancel, request refunds and avoid vendor headaches

    If you purchased SP Page Builder (or another commercial Joomla extension) and cannot cancel the subscription or obtain a refund, this guide provides a practical, step-by-step workflow. It covers immediate actions in the first 24–48 hours, how to document evidence, escalation routes (vendor →...

  • Safe path to upgrade Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 when extensions show compatibility warnings

    Upgrading a Joomla 3.10 site to Joomla 4 can feel daunting when the admin shows compatibility warnings for extensions or templates. The good news: this is a solvable, repeatable process. With a clear inventory, a staging clone, verified backups, and a simple decision tree for each extension, you...

  • Version Control for Joomla Extensions: Git Workflow, Packaging & When to Build a Module vs Component

    This practical guide helps Joomla beginners adopt version control and modern build practices for extensions (modules and components). You will learn how to structure a repository, use a simple Git branching strategy, create reproducible installer zips, automate packaging with CI, publish updates, manage...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 — a safe, step-by-step checklist for beginners

    Upgrading a site from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 can feel risky, especially if you inherited a site with unknown extensions or a missing developer. Follow a safety-first workflow: take full backups, clone the site to a staging environment, inventory extensions and templates, verify server...

  • How to Restore a Joomla 3.10 Backup When Your Host Deleted the Site (Beginner's Guide)

    If your host deleted a long-running Joomla site and the only thing you have is a 2022 backup (Joomla 3.10), don’t panic. You can usually restore that backup safely if you proceed carefully. This guide gives a clear, step-by-step path for beginners: inspect the backup, restore to a safe test...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 — What to Do When Extensions and Plugins Warn You

    This article gives a calm, practical, step-by-step checklist for Joomla 3.10 site owners who see compatibility warnings for extensions and plugins when preparing to upgrade to Joomla 4. If your original developer is unavailable, or you see many warnings in the pre-update checks, follow the...

  • When AI Makes You Furious: A Joomla User’s Guide to Staying Calm and Productive

    Feeling anger or exasperation when an AI assistant gives you bad advice, incorrect code, or vague instructions is common — especially when you're managing a live CMS like Joomla. This guide is written for Joomla users and site owners who want to keep their temper and their website intact. You will...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4: A beginner’s checklist when extensions block the way

    Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 can bring performance, security, and UX improvements — but legacy or custom extensions often block the way. This guide walks beginners through a safe, practical workflow: back up, stage, audit extensions, decide whether to update/replace/remove custom or...

  • RCA AddMenuItem (J4/J5/J6): What it is, how to install it and how to migrate from Regular Labs Add to Menu

    RCA AddMenuItem is presented as a modern refactor of the legacy "Add to Menu" automation used on many Joomla 3 sites. If you are preparing to upgrade from Joomla 3 or want an actively maintained way to automatically create and manage menu items when content is published, this guide explains what RCA...

  • How to safely upgrade from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 when extensions show "incompatible" warnings

    Moving from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 is a common and supported migration path, but many site owners see "incompatible" warnings for third‑party extensions and templates. This guide walks you through a low‑risk, step‑by‑step plan: take reliable backups, create a staging copy, audit and triage...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 — A Beginner’s Safety-First Guide

    Upgrading a live Joomla site can be nerve-wracking. This guide takes a safety-first approach to upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4. You will get a practical checklist, a decision framework for extensions and templates, and concrete steps to test on staging before touching your production site....

  • RocketTheme Closed in 2025: Which Templates & Extensions Will Joomla Sites Miss — And What To Do Next

    If your Joomla site uses RocketTheme templates or extensions, the vendor closure in 2025 raises immediate questions about support, security, and upgrades. This guide helps beginners and site owners take practical steps: inventory what you have, score risk, choose whether to replace or refactor,...

  • How to Integrate Nova Poshta with VirtueMart (Joomla 3) — A Beginner's Guide

    This practical guide helps Joomla site owners and VirtueMart users add Nova Poshta pickup point selection to the VirtueMart checkout on Joomla 3. It walks you through prerequisites, safe installation, configuration (API key, shipment mapping, city autocomplete and warehouse selection), testing on...

  • How to Upgrade from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 — A Beginner’s Safe-Upgrade Checklist

    Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 is a worthwhile step: Joomla 4 brings a modernized codebase, improved security and user experience improvements that matter for long-term support. However, the upgrade affects not only the core CMS but also templates, third-party extensions and any custom...

  • Introducing 3DBug for Joomla: What it Is, How to Use It, and Who It’s For

    3DBug is a recently released Joomla extension that brings interactive 3D scenes and models into Joomla pages. This guide is written for site owners, designers and beginner developers who want a practical, Joomla‑centric walkthrough: how to evaluate, install and test 3DBug safely on a staging site,...

  • How to Upgrade from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 When Extensions and Plugins Cause Warnings

    If your Joomla 3.10 site shows warnings about extensions or plugins when preparing to upgrade to Joomla 4, you are not alone. These warnings are often a sign that third‑party code needs attention before the core upgrade. Rushing the process can break your site; this guide gives a safety‑first,...

  • How to Manage Joomla Users Faster: Practical Workflows, Tools and Safety Tips

    Administering users is one of the most repetitive tasks on many Joomla sites. Opening individual profiles, applying the same change dozens of times, running ad-hoc exports and double-checking permissions can eat hours each week. This guide gives beginner-friendly, practical workflows to save time...

  • Upgrading from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 — a practical, worry-free checklist for beginners

    Upgrading a live website can feel risky, especially when the original developer is unavailable and the administration interface shows warnings about extensions. This guide gives a clear, practical checklist for non-developers to move a Joomla 3.10 site to Joomla 4 with minimal risk. You will learn...

  • A Practical Protocol to Refactor Joomla 3 Extensions for Joomla 4/5/6

    This article documents a practical, repeatable protocol to migrate Joomla 3 extensions to modern Joomla versions (4, and forward toward 5/6). It is written for site owners, designers and junior developers who need a structured workflow that reduces risk and helps produce stable releases. The...

  • How to Upgrade from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 Safely (When Extensions Warn "Incompatible")

    If you manage a Joomla 3.10 site and the Pre-Update Checker or Extension Manager shows many extensions as “incompatible”, don’t panic. This is a common situation. In most cases an orderly process—inventory, backups, staging, targeted fixes, and a tested live migration—lets you upgrade without...

  • How to Integrate n8n with Joomla — Step‑by‑Step Workflows for Content, Users, and Automation

    Intro image for How to Integrate n8n with Joomla — Step‑by‑Step Workflows for Content, Users, and Automation

    N8n Joomla integration: learn what the latest Joomla release adds, how to upgrade safely, developer notes, system checks and roadmap guidance for site owners.

  • What is coming for Joomla in 2026: Joomla 6.1, features and roadmap

    Intro image for What is coming for Joomla in 2026: Joomla 6.1, features and roadmap

    Joomla in 2026: learn what Joomla 6.1 adds, how to upgrade safely, developer notes, system checks and roadmap guidance for site owners.

  • Joomla 6.0.4 and 5.4.4 Updates: Comprehensive Guide to What's New and How to Upgrade

    Comprehensive guide to Joomla 6.0.4 and 5.4.4: learn what's new, security and performance fixes, compatibility notes, and a step-by-step safe upgrade checklist with staging, backups, troubleshooting and rollback instructions.

  • Ultimate Guide to Joomla Migration: Seamless Website Transition Strategies

    Ultimate Guide to Joomla Migration: Seamless Website Transition Strategies

    Ultimate Joomla migration guide: step‑by‑step planning, backups, core/template and extension migration, database transfer, SEO-preserving 301 redirects, staging tests, performance and security checks, plus recommended tools and best practices.

  • Mastering Joomla Content Editor (JCE) Setup & Features

    Mastering Joomla Content Editor (JCE) Setup & Features

    The Joomla Content Editor (JCE) is a powerful extension designed to simplify and enhance content creation within the Joomla content management system. Joomla’s default editor options can be limiting, especially for users who need more control over formatting, multimedia management, and layout...

  • Mastering Joomla Automation: Tools, Tips & Trends

    Mastering Joomla Automation: Tools, Tips & Trends

    Automation tools streamline repetitive tasks, allowing users to save time and reduce manual errors. Popular no-code automation platforms include Zapier, Make.com (formerly Integromat), and IFTTT.

  • Creating Secure and Effective Joomla Extensions: A Guide

    Joomla Exctension Creation

    Joomla is a widely-used, open-source content management system (CMS) recognized globally for its flexibility, scalability, and ease of use. It powers millions of websites ranging from personal blogs to large-scale corporate portals and government websites. Joomla provides a robust framework that...

  • Admin Tools Review: Akeeba's Security and Maintenance Suite (updated 2025)

    Admin Tools Review: Akeeba's Security and Maintenance Suite (updated 2025)

    Admin Tools by Akeeba Ltd is one of the most respected and powerful administrative extensions available for Joomla. It serves as an all-in-one toolkit aimed at improving your site's security, performance, and day-to-day management.

  • Complete Review: Akeeba Backup (updated 2025)

    Akeba Backup Review

    one name consistently stands out when discussing Joomla website backups: Akeeba Backup. Developed by Akeeba Ltd.. Whether you are managing a personal blog or a commercial enterprise website, safeguarding your data is paramount, and Akeeba Backup rises to this challenge with robust features,...

  • How to Create a Form Using RS Form in Joomla 5

    Build a form using RS Form Pro

    Creating a form using RS Form in Joomla 5 is a straightforward process.

    Follow the steps below to create your form easily:

    Step 1: Install RS Form

    1. Log in to your Joomla 5 administrator panel.
    2. Navigate to Extensions > Manage > Install.
    3. Upload the RS Form package file and click on Install.

    Step 2:...

  • Top Joomla Questions for 2025: What You Need to Know

    Top Joomla Questions for 2025: What You Need to Know

    Joomla continues to be a leading content management system (CMS), celebrated for its flexibility, scalability, and robust community support.

  • RS Form - Streamline Form Submissions with RS Form Pro and Google Integration in Joomla 5

    RS Form - Streamline Form Submissions with RS Form Pro and Google Integration in Joomla 5

    RS FORM from RS Joomla is a powerful extension form builder with many extra and underrated features. In this article, we will explore some of these features, from using Google Docs and Google Sheets to using the inbuilt .PDF solution in RS Form.

  • 10 Common Misconceptions about Joomla!

    10 Common Misconceptions about Joomla!

    Discover the truth behind Joomla!, the renowned content management system empowering countless websites globally. Unraveling prevalent misconceptions, this article delves into Joomla! 's functionality and user-friendliness to offer valuable insights. By debunking the top ten myths surrounding...

  • MigrateMe 4: Is this the best way to migrate from Joomla 3 to Joomla 4?

    MigrateMe 4: Is this the best way to migrate from Joomla 3 to Joomla 4?

      MigrateMe 4 is a commercial extension that can migrate Joomla websites from Joomla 3 to Joomla 4. It is a relatively easy-to-use extension that can migrate all files and data from a Joomla website, including the content, the modules, the plugins, and the settings.

  • Regular Labs - Advanced Module Manager: A powerful and easy-to-use extension that can help you take control over your Joomla Modules

    Regular Labs -  Advanced Module Manager: A powerful and easy-to-use extension that can help you take control over your Joomla Modules

    Regular Labs - Advanced Module Manager is an extension designed to enhance the administration of Joomla modules. With its powerful features and user-friendly interface, it aims to give users more control over their modules and provide them with a better overall experience.

  • Regular Labs - Articles Anywhere: A Critical Review of a Joomla Extension for Dynamic Content Display

    Regular Labs - Articles Anywhere: A Critical Review of a Joomla Extension for Dynamic Content Display

    Articles Anywhere is a powerful Joomla plugin that allows you to insert articles anywhere on your site, including within modules, 3rd party components, and even inside other articles. You can place complete articles and only specific data (like Title, Readmore Link, Text, Images, Custom Fields,...

  • Regular Labs DB Replacer: A powerful tool that can be used to make a variety of changes to your Joomla website

    Regular Labs - DB Replacer:  A powerful tool that can be used to make a variety of changes to your Joomla website

    Regular Labs' DB Replacer is a Joomla extension that allows you to search and replace text in any table in your Joomla database. It even supports searching with case sensitivity and using regular expressions. DB Replacer is a great way to save time and effort when you need to change a large amount of...

  • Regular Labs - ReReplacer: A powerful tool that can be used to search and replace text in a variety of contexts

    Regular Labs - ReReplacer:  A powerful tool that can be used to search and replace text in a variety of contexts

    Regular Labs' ReReplacer is a powerful tool that allows users to search and replace text in various contexts. With its advanced features, ReReplacer will enable users to efficiently manipulate content using regular expressions (regex).

  • Regular Labs -Content Template: An easy way to make reusable templates for your content

    Create a template to your articles

      Content will be of significant importance in 2024. Sometimes we often write the same code repeatedly, but with the Content templater Extension from Regular Labs, you can import a template just by clicking a button.

  • Icons are great: Learn how to create a override for using Font Awesome in a Custom Field

    Collection of random icons

    Icons have a significant visual effect to have on your website. Did you know that using an icon as a Custom Field is possible? - Creating an override for the Field layout is done in minutes.


    Since Font Awesome is included in Joomla's Cassiopeia template, we will use a template override for the...

  • Need some different custom characters in your articles? - Customize CSS styles using JCE

    Plain graphics

    Using custom characters in JCE Editor can be challenging, especially if you want to use symbols, not on the JCEs default list. There are two ways to do this.


     

    Special characters are often used in content to show something, but could you please explain how a field is inserted into an article? You know...

  • Failed login Attempts - Override the look of how the IPs are shown

    NO IMAGE!

    The Failed Login Attempts plugin gives you an overview of your failed logins, but you can make it even better by applying a simple override. The override provides a link to more information about who has tried to log in, and you can therefore use other extensions to block the user or take...

  • Failed Login Attempts - A great extension to see failed logins to your site

    Person sitting in darkness

     

     If you own a website, you probably know that not all visitors have legit reasons to visit your website. There are both bots and humans that daily tries to get into your website without having an account.

  • Bootstrap: A powerfull Framework all built into Joomla By default

    Bootstrap

    Joomla 4 comes packed with features by the core version. One of these features is the Bootst6rap Framework, which Joomla has added by default.


    Bootstrap has been around since 2011 and part of Joomla since version 3. The latest version, 5.1, is prebuilt into Joomla 4. When this is said, most of...

  • Making a Joomla site on a Budget? It's Not as Hard as You Think

    Bowel of money

    You’ve probably heard that Joomla is a “free” platform. That’s true, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. You can download the software for free, and you can host Joomla sites for free on specific hosting platforms. However, if you want the best possible performance and security, you’ll need to...

  • Override: How do I get a Subform to look better

    Notebook with lines

    Subform fields are mighty, but did you know they look like a list? - Here, I will show you how you can spice up the look of your Subform.


    Although Subforms are not a new feature in Joomla 4 but were available already in Joomla 3, in Joomla 3, they were introduced as "Repeatable-Fields". But...

  • Override: The Invalidate Cache Admin module.

    Template Layout

     In Joomla, it is relatively easy to create CSS overrides. If you would like to change the color of the Invalidate Cache button, you can read on.


    How to create a CSS override in Joomla 4 Administrator (Atum - Template)?

    Joomla is built with the intention of user customization of how it looks. CSS...

  • Invalidate Cache in Joomla - A way to always have an Up-to-date site

    Invalidate Cache - Picture

    Site caching is sometimes a web developer's nightmare. You can control the site reset using Invaliade Cache, a simple free module in the Administrator of Joomla.

  • Useful Joomla resources - Where to get inspiration for Joomla sites

    A few resources on Joomla

    Finding top resources for Joomla on the Web is not as easy as it seems, but I have gathered a few good places to start here.

  • 5 Reasons Joomla Will Change the Way You Think About Using a CMS for a website

    Why should i......?

    Joomla is a fully grown CMS system that will be up-to-date on everything. The Joomla 4 version will be a considerable step toward WordPress popularity.

  • How to override the output of the default subform in Joomla 4

    Coding

    In Joomla 4, we were introduced to “subforms”, which are great for creating more user-friendly fields for your articles or page, containing the fields in the subform.


    The problem is that when you create a subform, the fields in the subform are divided by a comma. This doesn’t look good on your...

  • How do I get access to more folders in Joomla using JCE Editor

    Filesystem

    JCE Editor is more than a basic Editor for Joomla. You can give access to specific folders on the ROOT or even subfolders using the “Filesystem” in the JCE Profiles.

  • 10 of the most useful Joomla Extensions in 2023

    Useful extensions for Joomla in  2023

    With the ability to use extensions in Joomla, it is often prevalent to install more extensions than necessary; this will usually result in a slower site. So here are my recommendations for the ten best Joomla extensions every Joomla site should have.in 2023.

  • SEO Extension: 4SEO - A Modern way to Manage SEO on Joomla sites

    SEO or Search Engine Optimization is essential for becoming successful online. There are a high number of tools to help you in reaching your SEO goals. One of these tools is 4SEO from Weeblr.

  • How to change the Modules in the backend of Joomla

    The backend of Joomla can be very boring to look at. You can customize it as you like, by adding and replacing modules on the page.


    When you install the Joomla 3.x out off the box, you get two backend templates preinstalled, the main and mostly used template is Isis, this will be used in this...

  • How to get JCE Editor to display full URLs

    Girl infront of PC with images - Photo by picjumbo.com from Pexels

    JCE Editor is the best and most used Editor in Joomla; only TinyMCE as the core editor can beat it. Every Joomla site should have the JCE Editor installed because it is free and easy to use.

  • Hosting: Where and how should i host my Joomla site / sites in 2022

    Web Hosting in 2022

    Having a good web hosting solution for your sites, either it is static or based on a CMS like Joomla, WordPress, or others, you have a lot of considerations to take into a factor. I will try in this article to guide you in the right direction towards modern hosting in 2022.

  • 3 Common Reasons Why Your Joomla site Isn't Working

    Common reasons to a faulty website

    When you have a new Joomla Installation, the most annoying thing is that it doesn’t work as you would prefer. You may end up spending hours after hours trying to find the fault but end up banging your head in the wall. Here are 3 common reasons why your site Joomla site isn’æt working.

  • How to add styles in Joomla without HTML Code in JCE Editor

    Howto use JCE Editor to add CSS class in content without using HTML

    If you have a custom.css file and would like to use JCE Editor to insert the CSS style classes to trigger CSS, this is how you can do this without knowing any HTML. Just follow these easy steps. 

     

  • Joomla Hack - A Better Way to insert a Menu Separator, or?

    Silenced Hacking

    Is it possible to do things in Joomla Backend that is considered a hack! This tip from Basic Joomla is the answer, Yes!, there are several hidden possibilities in Joomla if you put your fingers into it.? - Here is how to use a hack for doing better Menu separator in Joomla. Here are two ways to do...

  • How to use Dark Mode in the Backend of Joomla 3, custom CSS

    Picture of hand drowning into the Dark Water

    The dark mode is the new Black, and it keeps your eyes from getting light exhausting. And it also looks great in the browser. The Dark mode is not native in either Joomla 3 or Joomla 4 (as of my knowledge). But there is a solution if you don’t want to use a plugin for your browser. You can simply...

  • Don't Make This Silly Mistake In 2021 With Your Joomla-website

    Data Management

    One of the most common mistakes when creating a new Joomla site is not securing the Joomla-site both with Backup and Security Extensions. Having up-to-date security is essential for every site on the Internet, whether it’s a plain HTML site or a complex CMS system like Joomla or WordPress offers. But...

  • 10 Must have Extensions for Joomla in 2021

    There are many Extensions for Joomla, both free and with a paid license. But there are a few that should be mandatory for every installation of Joomla. I will here make a list of those I think is essential when you start a website.

  • How to use CSS to personalize each page in Joomla, see how

    Web engineering

    In Joomla, it’s possible to use CSS more effectively than most people realize. You can, if wanted personalize each page just by adding a CSS class to the menu link.


    Joomla offers in most modern templates the ability to target either the title or the page’s alias. It makes customized CSS very easy,...

  • Quick Tip: How to reduce spam using Forms in Joomla

    Are you tired of getting a huge amount of SPAM using forms like RS Form or others?

  • Customize the Back-end of your Joomla template using CSS

    Dual Screens - Responsive

    Let's state it once and for all, the backend in Joomla is quite boring, but what if you can give it a more interactive and interesting look. This is quite easy to do using the backend modules and CSS. 


    The reason for this article offsprings from a Youtube Video that shows the benefits of haveing an...

  • How to make a dropdown content slider? - Pure HTML and CSS

    CSS

    Is it possible to make content sliders using pure CSS & HTML only? - Read through and find out more. I will show you some smart tricks that make an awesome reusable slider using only HTMl & CSS.


    Have you ever written a long article with mutch specifications inside? - These articles have their way to become...

  • Three ways optimize the use of CSS in content with Joomla

    Man in front of a Computer screen

    <

    CSS has from the age of the Internet been a part of doing websites. It is an easy but useful way to design an article. There are several ways to write CSS in Joomla, you can use an external file to store all CSS codes in, you can use an extension to include the code, or you can write CSS directly in the content. In this article, I will give some look into how I do it.


    In this article, I will show you three different ways to use CSS in an article. The easiest thing is to use an extension to add CSS to the article. There are several extensions in the JED (Joomla Extensions Directory) that gives this opportunity. One of the popular is Sourcerer from Regular Labs. But its also possible to do in-line CSS coding in every article, but this can be very ineffective in large articles, the third and maybe most used is to put the CSS codes into the template as eighter an external file or in the CSS capabilities of the template itself. In modern template-Framework is this common, the disadvantage of this is that you always need access to the backend to add extra CSS in your site.

    W3C CSS verifiedW3C CSS verified: W3c.org is setting the standards for CSS

    1 Code directly as you go (Hard coding the articles)

    If you prefer to do the CSS coding inline as you write an article, you must bear in mind that you will NOT be able to reuse the CSS on any other articles and you must repeat the same thing for every content with the same code. This could look like this:

    <a href="/home" style="background-color:#ff0000;color:#ffffff;">Home</a>

    This will output: Home

    2. Use an external file

    If you use an external file as a CSS source, it is normally located under the css folder in your template directory. And its usually called custom.css or user.css, the downside with this is that you need access to either FTP or bee logged in to the backend as a Super Administrator.

    3 Use an extension to add CSS code in the article

     If you want to use an extension to insert CSS in an article, you can not reuse the CSS codes without having it in every article that contains the same style.

    What do I recommend?

    A combination of the option 2 and 3, will give the easiest result and you can standardize some of the CSS styles in a file and add styles in that applies to certain articles at one addon at the end of the written article.

    Comments wanted

    - LET ME KNOW IF YOU KNOW ANY OTHER WAYS TO DO THIS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW -

  • How do I hide the annoying page title using pure CSS?

    Have you ever made a website with Joomla and you are getting the title "Home" with a large h1-header-tag? You can either hide the tag completely on all content, or you must specify it to be hidden on every page/article you make. There is a third and maybe smarter way to do this. 


    Joomla Menu options

    When you add a...

  • How to fix white space under an image using CSS and HTML

    Have you ever been frustrated by styling a page for then realize that every image contains a white line underneath, I saw this trick on Youtube and tried it with Joomla. The result was that line disappeared. This issue resides from the early internet when we've to use inline images in the text.


    IN...

  • Tutorial: How to change forgotten admin password in Joomla

    Password reset

    When you are about to change passwords in other ways that it's intended to do, you should always take in mind that it always is a security risk. You should therefore use extra care when you need to use these steps. These ways work in Joomla 2.5, 3.x, and 4.x. The tutorial is based on Joomla Docs.

  • Regular Labs Sourcerer - A Great way to include Code in articles

    Office Chair in front of Screens

    Extensions from Regular Labs is very easy to use, they come with great documentation, and are for the most self-explanatory. This is almost the case for this extension too. However, I decided to write a review and give you my thoughts.

  • Regular Labs - DB Replacer - Take control over your database

    Regular Labs: DB Replacer

    The DB Replacer is another good extension from Regular Labs, this extension gives you complete control over the DataBase that your Joomla install is based on, without going into tools like phpMyAdmin that require a lot more knowledge.

  • RSForm - Send customized HTML emails to admins and users

    The RSForm component from RSJoomla is a very powerful form-creator in Joomla. Besides collecting data to the database, you can send customized emails to both users and admins, and even to others.

  • RSForm - How to display values in emails based on selection

    HTML Forms

    RSForm from RSJoomla is a powerful Formmaker for Joomla, it gives many extras options, one of them, is the ability to send values in emails based on certain selections.

  • Basic Tutorial: Admin Tools - How to Allow editing Users in back-end for Administrators

    404 Error Graphics

    The Akeeba Admin Tools is a great addition to securing your Joomla CMS. But there are some features that need some tweaking for running smoother. One of these is an admin's ability to change a user in the back-end.

  • Custom Fields - Display predefined content in articles/pages

    Custom Fields in Joomla

    Custom Fields in Joomla is the new holy grail of customizing the look of your Joomla content. Its power lies in displaying prepared info into articles that can be specified by the author in all cases. 

  • Template Overrides - See how to make overrides in Joomla

    No image!

    A template is the holy grail of a CMS-system; it lays out the structure of your website. But it's always possible to tweak the content and make it look better. All Modules, Components, or Plugins in Joomla can be changed using overrides.


    Though many sites may look good with the Core template or a...

  • Akeeba Backup - The best solution for backing up Joomla

    Akeeba Backup

    One of the most important things to have in mind when you deploy a new website is Backup policy. Akeeba Backup is a free Component from AkeebaBackup, which allows you to do secure backups and maintaining them for your Joomla site.

  • Akeeba Admin Tools - A security Component for your Jooml site

    Akeeba Admin Tools

    A tool for doing the heavy overview of how the admin area is secured is always useful to have. Admin Tools from Akeeba is one of these tools. With this Component, you will take the security up quite a few notches.

  • Why use TinyMCE? - Here is 3 alternative Editors for Joomla

    Three editors for Joomla

    We have collected 3 of the best Editors, some both come in free and paid versions. They all have great add-ons.

Community Questions

  • A Practical Protocol to Refactor Joomla 3 Extensions for Joomla 4/5/6

    This article documents a practical, repeatable protocol to migrate Joomla 3 extensions to modern Joomla versions (4, and forward toward 5/6). It is written for site owners, designers and junior...

  • Are AI Coding Tools Helpful for Joomla Development? A Beginner’s Guide

    If you are building or maintaining Joomla sites you may be wondering whether AI coding assistants ("coding robots") can speed your work or whether they introduce more risk than benefit. This guide...

  • How many clicks to create a new Joomla category — Baseline, shortcuts

    When you're writing or editing an article in Joomla and realize you need a new category, the default admin workflow often forces a context switch. That can mean saving, navigating to Category...

  • How to Control Where Users Are Redirected After Login in Joomla (Beginner’s Guide)

    It’s common to see a successful login but the site sends users to the wrong page or an error after sign-in. This guide shows where Joomla decides the post-login destination, how to create a stable...

  • How to Integrate Nova Poshta with VirtueMart (Joomla 3) — A Beginner's Guide

    This practical guide helps Joomla site owners and VirtueMart users add Nova Poshta pickup point selection to the VirtueMart checkout on Joomla 3. It walks you through prerequisites, safe...

  • How to Manage Joomla Users Faster: Practical Workflows, Tools and Safety Tips

    Administering users is one of the most repetitive tasks on many Joomla sites. Opening individual profiles, applying the same change dozens of times, running ad-hoc exports and double-checking...

  • How to Restore a Joomla 3.10 Backup When Your Host Deleted the Site (Beginner's Guide)

    If your host deleted a long-running Joomla site and the only thing you have is a 2022 backup (Joomla 3.10), don’t panic. You can usually restore that backup safely if you proceed carefully. This...

  • How to Safely Upgrade from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 When Extensions Block the Way

    This guide helps Joomla site owners move from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 when third-party extensions or PHP requirements appear to block the way. Follow a staged, test-first workflow: audit extensions, make...

  • How to safely upgrade from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 when extensions show "incompatible" warnings

    Moving from Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 is a common and supported migration path, but many site owners see "incompatible" warnings for third‑party extensions and templates. This guide walks you through a...

  • How to Safely Upgrade Joomla 3.10 to Joomla 4 When Extensions Warn or Won't Auto‑Update

    If your site still runs Joomla 3.10 and the pre‑update checker shows warnings for extensions, you are not alone. Upgrading the core is usually straightforward, but incompatible extensions, templates or...

About us

JF Logo

JoomlaForever.com is an independent source publishing news and tests about Joomla CMS.

Contact info

  • JoomlaForever.com!
  • Contact owner:  Bjørn Ove Bremnes
  • General info:
Social Medial:
  • JoomlaForever on Facebook
  • JoomlaForever on Twitter / X

Useful links

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copy our Articles?
  • Special Thanks
Subscribe to our Digest Newsletter

This site is sponsored by:
Bredc.com logo

All our content is original, and therefore it's copyrighted by JoomlaForever.com!

If you wish to use our content on another site, you will need explicit allowance from JoomlaForever.com! You can do this by emailing  or by using our form (see "Useful links")!

ALL RIGHTS © 2019 - 2026.
JoomlaForever.com!, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Joomla! Project™. Any products and services provided through this site are not supported or warrantied by The Joomla! Project or Open Source Matters, Inc. Use of the Joomla!® name, symbol, logo and related trademarks is permitted under a limited license granted by Open Source Matters, Inc...