Updating

This guide is a specific update note for sites that are already on Joomla 5 with JEM 4.4.2 or JEM 4.5.0, and want to move to Joomla 6 with JEM 5.0.0.

Version Compatibility

Use the correct JEM branch for your Joomla version:

• JEM 4.5.0 is the update line for Joomla 5.
• JEM 5.0.0 is the update line for Joomla 6.
• JEM 5.0.0 RC2 is for Joomla 6 only and requires PHP 8.3 or newer.

Step 1: Update JEM 4.4.2 to JEM 4.5.0 on Joomla 5

Start by updating JEM inside the Joomla 5 environment. This keeps the JEM database schema and package files up to date before the Joomla 6 migration.

1. Confirm that the site is running Joomla 5.
2. Confirm that the installed JEM version is 4.4.2.
3. Make a full backup of files and database.
4. Download the JEM 4.5.0 package for Joomla 5.
5. Log in to the Joomla administrator.
6. Go to System → Install → Extensions.
7. Use Upload Package File and select the JEM 4.5.0 package ZIP.
8. Install the package and wait for the success message.
9. Clear Joomla cache if needed.

Checks after updating to JEM 4.5.0

• Open Components → JEM and confirm that the dashboard loads.
• Open Components → JEM → Settings and review the configuration.
• Check the frontend event list, event detail view, venue detail view, and calendar views used by your site.
• Check JEM modules such as Latest Events, Wide, Calendar, Teaser, Banner, Map, Jubilee, or Types if installed.
• Check JEM plugins such as Finder, Mailer, Comments, Quick Icon, and content plugins if used.
• Test event registration if your site uses bookings or attendance lists.
• Test frontend event and venue editing if frontend users are allowed to submit content.

Check Joomla Database Status

Joomla runs the JEM database update scripts during the package update. After the update, verify that Joomla does not report schema problems.

1. Go to System → Maintenance → Database.
2. Check for database warnings related to JEM.
3. If Joomla offers a fix action, apply it only after confirming you have a backup.

Step 2: Prepare the Joomla 5 Site for Joomla 6

Once JEM 4.5.0 is running correctly on Joomla 5, prepare the site for the Joomla 6 migration.

• Make a new backup after confirming JEM 4.5.0 works.
• Check that the server can run PHP 8.3 or newer.
• Check that the active Joomla template supports Joomla 6.
• Check all non-JEM extensions for Joomla 6 compatibility.
• Review template overrides for JEM views and modules.
• Disable or remove extensions that are not compatible with Joomla 6.

Step 3: Migrate Joomla 5 to Joomla 6

Perform the Joomla major-version update according to the Joomla update instructions for your site. This should be done on a staging copy first.

1. Confirm that the Joomla 5 site with JEM 4.5.0 works correctly.
2. Switch the staging site to PHP 8.3 or newer if required.
3. Use Joomla's update tools to migrate the site to Joomla 6.
4. Resolve any Joomla update warnings or extension compatibility warnings.
5. Log in to the Joomla 6 administrator and confirm that the administrator area works.

Step 4: Update JEM 4.5.0 to JEM 5.0.0 on Joomla 6

After the site is running on Joomla 6, install the JEM 5.0.0 package built for Joomla 6.

1. Download the JEM 5.0.0 package for Joomla 6.
2. Log in to the Joomla 6 administrator.
3. Go to System → Install → Extensions.
4. Use Upload Package File and select the JEM 5.0.0 package ZIP.
5. Install the package and wait for the success message.
6. Clear Joomla cache if needed.

Checks after updating to JEM 5.0.0

• Open the JEM dashboard in the administrator.
• Open JEM Settings and review new or changed options.
• Check the event list, event detail view, venue view, calendar views, and category views.
• Check frontend event and venue edit forms.
• Check registrations, attendee lists, waiting lists, and mail notifications if used.
• Check online meeting fields and ICS export if your site uses online or hybrid events.
• Check all published JEM modules.
• Check JEM plugins and confirm that required plugins are enabled.

Template Overrides and Custom Layouts

Template overrides are often the main source of display problems after a major update. JEM 5.0.0 contains Joomla 6 related changes, so old overrides should be reviewed carefully.

• Check component overrides under templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/html/com_jem.
• Check module overrides such as templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/html/mod_jem.
• Temporarily disable overrides if a JEM page looks broken after the update.
• Compare old override files with the new JEM 5.0.0 layout files.
• Reapply only the custom changes that are still needed.

Troubleshooting

The JEM 5.0.0 package does not install

• Confirm that the site is already running Joomla 6.
• Confirm that the server uses PHP 8.3 or newer.
• Confirm that you selected the full JEM package ZIP.
• Read the Joomla installer error message for the exact cause.

A frontend page looks broken after updating

• Clear Joomla cache and browser cache.
• Temporarily test without template overrides.
• Check that the active template is compatible with Joomla 6.
• Compare the old override with the new JEM 5.0.0 view or module layout.

Events or venues are missing

• Check publication state and access levels.
• Check category, venue, menu item, and language filters.
• Check event status, publish up/down dates, and archived settings.
• Check user permissions if the issue only affects some users.

Final Checklist

• JEM 4.5.0 was installed and tested successfully on Joomla 5.
• Joomla was migrated to Joomla 6 successfully.
• JEM 5.0.0 was installed on Joomla 6.
• The server runs PHP 8.3 or newer.
• JEM dashboard, settings, frontend views, modules, and plugins work.
• Frontend submit/edit workflows work for the intended user groups.
• Template overrides have been reviewed and updated if needed.
• The backup is kept until the updated site is confirmed stable.