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Magento 2.4 upgrade guide: plan, test and go live safely

How to plan a Magento Open Source or Adobe Commerce upgrade — compatibility checks, PHP and OpenSearch requirements, testing and release.

By VISIBI Ecommerce team·Reviewed by Adnan Khan, Co-founder & CEO·Updated 29 September 2026·8 min read
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How to plan a Magento Open Source or Adobe Commerce upgrade — compatibility checks, PHP and OpenSearch requirements, testing and release.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
✓Staying on a supported release is essential for security patches.
✓Check PHP, database, search and extension compatibility first.
✓Upgrade on staging and regression-test checkout before release.
STEP BY STEP
Safe Magento upgrade path
1Compatibility audit
2Upgrade stack on staging
3Fix extensions & custom code
4Regression-test checkout
5Release with rollback plan

Why upgrade

Older versions stop receiving security patches, which increases risk and can affect PCI compliance. Newer releases also bring performance fixes and PHP support.

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Plan the upgrade

  • Check Adobe’s system requirements for the target version
  • Audit extensions and themes for compatibility
  • Update PHP, MySQL/MariaDB and OpenSearch as required
  • Review custom code for deprecated APIs
  • Estimate effort and schedule outside peak season

Test and release

Run the upgrade on staging with production data, run automated and manual tests on checkout, payments and integrations, then deploy with a rollback plan.

Common mistakes to avoid

✕Choosing a platform on licence price instead of total cost of ownership
✕Launching a new site without an SEO redirect plan
✕Adding extensions and apps without checking performance or security
✕Leaving upgrades until peak season
HOW VISIBI CAN HELP

How we help with ecommerce

01DiscoverRequirements, integrations and total cost of ownership mapped up front.
02Design for conversionUX decisions backed by data and CRO experience.
03Build & migrateCertified developers, SEO-safe migrations and full testing.
04Support & growPatching, monitoring and continuous improvement after launch.
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Frequently asked questions

How often should I upgrade?

Apply security patches promptly and plan minor upgrades at least yearly.

Can I upgrade during peak season?

Avoid it — schedule before your code freeze.

Do you handle Adobe Commerce Cloud upgrades?

Yes, including Cloud-specific deployment steps.

AK
Reviewed by Adnan Khan · Co-founder & CEO25 years growing digital businesses across search, AI visibility and ecommerce. Written by the VISIBI Ecommerce team.Meet the team →
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