Magento has undergone many adjustments since its launch in 2008. Every new Magento model has launched options and enhancements to reinforce the web purchasing expertise for purchasers and retailers.

On this article, we’ll take a more in-depth take a look at every Magento model and discover how Magento has advanced over time with a Magento model comparability. We’ll additionally share insights into the most recent Magento model that will help you perceive what’s new and the way it advantages your small business.

Let’s get straight to it.

What’s the newest Magento model?

Magento 2.4.6 is the most recent Magento model. Launched on March 14, 2023, it accommodates over 300 high quality fixes and upgrades that enhance Magento efficiency, safety, and scalability.

What’s new within the newest Magento model?

The newest Magento model, 2.4.6, provides assist for PHP 8.2 and removes assist for PHP 7.4, which reached finish of life on November 28, 2022. It additionally accommodates GraphQL operation optimizations for class tree rendering response and bulk cart operations.

Newest Magento model 2.4.6: key updates

Key enhancements in Magento 2.4.6 embrace:

• Safety enhancements: Magento 2.4.6 offers safety updates and enhancements, akin to checkout reCAPTCHA validation fixes and a brand new system configuration that requires e-mail affirmation when an admin person adjustments their e-mail.
• Platform enhancements: The newest Magento model helps PHP 8.2, Composer 2.2.x, Redis 7.0.x, Elasticsearch 8.0.x, and MariaDB 10.6 (LTS). It additionally helps OpenSearch v2.x because the default search engine for Magento 2.
• Efficiency and scalability enhancements: Magento 2.4.6 introduces a brand new setting that allows you to restrict the variety of merchandise displayed within the product grid to enhance efficiency.
• Customized SMTP: Magento 2.4.6 helps you to configure a customized SMTP supplier from the admin panel. You now not want a third-party extension to ship emails out of your Magento retailer.

Why you need to use the most recent Magento model

Adobe and the Magento neighborhood guarantee Magento 2 stays safe for retailers worldwide. That’s necessary as a result of greater than 151,000 web sites use Magento, making it a horny goal for hackers worldwide.

New variations of Magento embrace safety enhancements to guard your retailer from cyber assaults and hacking makes an attempt. The present Magento model, 2.4.6, has higher admin exercise logging and a brand new setting to pressure e-mail affirmation when admins change their e-mail handle.

Moreover safety enhancements, the latest Magento launch contains compatibility and efficiency enhancements. For instance, the Symfony dependencies in Magento 2.4.6 use the most recent LTS model, and there’s a brand new “POST /relaxation/<store_view_code>/V1/import/csv” REST API endpoint that may import as much as 100,000 information per minute.

We strongly suggest updating Magento to make the most of its improved efficiency and safety features for a protected and dependable purchasing expertise.

Tips on how to examine your Magento model: 4 straightforward methods to examine the Magento model

Listed below are 4 methods to examine the Magento model.

Methodology 1: Use an internet browser

The simplest strategy to examine your Magento model is by including “/magento_version” to the area title in an internet browser, akin to, “https://instance.com/magento_version.” Right here’s a screenshot demonstrating how that appears on our demo retailer working Magento 2.4.5-p1.

The disadvantage of utilizing an internet browser to examine the Magento model is that it solely outputs the minor launch model, akin to 2.3 or 2.4. It doesn’t provide the patch launch or safety patch launch model, akin to 2.4.5 or 2.4.5-p1.

Methodology 2: Test the Magento admin panel

If you would like the entire Magento model, you’ll find it contained in the Magento admin panel within the bottom-right nook of the footer, as proven within the picture beneath.

Methodology 3: Use the command line interface

It’s also possible to examine the Magento model from the command line interface (CLI) by navigating to the Magento root listing and working the next command.

$ bin/magento --version

Right here’s the output of that command when examined on our demo retailer.

Methodology 4: Test the composer.json file

To examine the Magento model utilizing the composer.json file, log in to your server because the filesystem proprietor and navigate to the Magento root listing. Then, enter the next command to output the contents of the composer.json file in your terminal.

$ cat composer.json

You’ll discover the Magento model within the file contents, as proven within the screenshot beneath.

Tips on how to improve Magento 2 in 10 straightforward steps

Earlier than you observe this information, guarantee all software program dependencies are appropriate with the Magento model you intend to improve to. If you happen to’re a Nexcess buyer, you possibly can examine software program variations and improve them with a number of clicks from the Consumer Portal.

After that, observe these steps to improve to Magento 2.

Be aware: You possibly can solely improve Magento 2 from the command line when you put in it utilizing composer or the compressed archive. If you happen to put in Magento by cloning the GitHub repository, seek advice from Adobe’s information for upgrading Git-based installations.

1. Log into the server by way of SSH and navigate to the Magento root listing

Log into your Magento server over SSH, change to the file system proprietor, and go to the Magento mission root listing. Confirm you’re within the right listing utilizing the next command:

$ pwd

2. Backup your Magento retailer

Subsequent, backup Magento 2 so you possibly can roll again to the saved model if issues go incorrect throughout the improve course of.

If you happen to’re a Nexcess buyer, backup your retailer by logging in to the Consumer Portal, going to Plan > Web site > Backups, and choosing Create Backup.

3. Allow Upkeep mode

If you happen to’re upgrading Magento 2 on a stay retailer, you need to allow upkeep mode to limit entry to your storefront utilizing the next command.

$ bin/magento upkeep:allow

4. Disable cron jobs

Lively background processes throughout a Magento model improve may cause information corruption. That’s why you need to disable cron jobs earlier than upgrading Magento 2 utilizing the next command.

$ php bin/magento cron:take away

After that, use the next command to run cron jobs manually so all queued messages are consumed.

$ bin/magento cron:run --group=customers

5. Backup the composer.json file

Backup the composer.json file utilizing the next command.

$ cp composer.json composer.json.bak

6. Replace the Magento mission dependencies

Run the next command so as to add Magento model 2.4.6 as a dependency within the composer.json file.

$ composer require-commerce magento/product-community-edition 2.4.6 --no-update

Be aware: To specify a distinct Magento model, substitute “2.4.6” along with your most well-liked model quantity, akin to 2.4.4 or 2.4.5.

Then, execute the next command.

$ composer replace

7.  Flush the Magento 2 cache

Clear the Magento cache and generated lessons and proxies by working the next instructions.

$ rm -rf var/cache/*
$ rm -rf var/page_cache/*
$ rm -rf generated/code/*
$ rm -rf generated/metadata/*

If you happen to’re utilizing caching applied sciences like Redis or Varnish, clear them earlier than continuing.

8. Replace the database schema and its information

Run the next command to replace the Magento database schema and information.

$ bin/magento setup:improve

9. Confirm the brand new Magento model

As soon as the command executes efficiently, confirm the Magento model utilizing the next command.

$ bin/magento --version

10. Reinstall cron and examine the shop for any points

Lastly, reinstall Magento cron utilizing the next command.

$ bin/magento cron:set up

If you happen to enabled upkeep mode, disable it utilizing the next command.

$ bin/magento upkeep:disable

Then, entry your retailer and confirm every little thing works as anticipated. In case of errors, observe these steps to troubleshoot:

• Restart all caching applied sciences, akin to Varnish and Redis.
• Clear your internet browser cache.
• Reset file system permissions.

Your retailer ought to load accurately after that.

Magento variations comparability

There are two principal Magento variations: Magento 1 and Magento 2. Magento 1 was launched in 2008 and reached finish of life in 2020. Its successor, Magento 2, was launched in 2018 with superior safety features, strong API assist, and future-proof performance.

Regardless of Magento 1 reaching its finish of life, greater than 27,000 web sites nonetheless use Magento 1. If you happen to’re one in all them, you need to think about migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 or utilizing Nexcess Secure Harbor to guard your Magento 1 retailer.

Each new Magento model builds on the success of the earlier one with new options. Right here’s a Magento variations listing that compares main releases and highlights key adjustments to the platform since its preliminary launch.

Magento model launch	Launch dates	Key options added	Finish of assist
Magento 1.0-1.9x	March 31, 2008–2015.	The primary secure Magento variations with important ecommerce performance.	June 30, 2020.
Magento 2.0	November 17, 2015–February 27, 2018.	A complete transformation of the Magento platform. Considerably sooner, safer, and user-friendly.	March 31, 2018.
Magento 2.1	June 23, 2016–June 25, 2019.	Content material staging and preview, Solr changed with Elasticsearch for Commerce variations, PayPal cost strategies, and improved admin interface.	June 30, 2019.
Magento 2.2	September 26, 2017–January 28, 2020.	Superior reporting performance, on the spot buy checkout, Magento transport, and new B2B options.	December 1, 2019.
Magento 2.3	November 28, 2018–October 12, 2021.	Progressive internet apps, multi-source stock, Elasticsearch launched for neighborhood variations, and improved web page builder.	September 8, 2022.
Magento 2.4.0–2.4.3	July 28, 2020–October 12, 2021.	2FA for the admin panel, enhanced media gallery, MySQL search engine totally changed by Elasticsearch, seller-assisted purchasing, and improved progressive internet apps.	November, 2022.
Magento 2.4.4–2.4.6 (present Magento model)	April 12, 2022–March 14, 2023.	Assist for OpenSearch, vendor bundled extensions eliminated, improved web page builder, cart and checkout updates, and new cost strategies.	April 24, 2025–March 14, 2026.

Magento software program lifecycle coverage and launch technique replace

On January 24, 2023, Adobe introduced a brand new software program lifecycle coverage and launch technique for Magento variations 2.4.4 and above.

The up to date lifecycle coverage extends the assist window for safety and high quality patches to 3 years after the final availability date of every Magento model. Moreover, the up to date launch technique limits new Magento releases to at least one core software patch per 12 months.

A decrease replace frequency and longer assist window eliminates the necessity for frequent upgrades. It additionally reduces the general Magento possession prices and allows you to focus your time and assets on creating immersive purchasing experiences in your prospects.

Select managed Magento internet hosting with Nexcess

Magento has modified considerably over time. With every new Magento model, the platform has change into extra strong, scalable, and user-friendly, providing retailers the instruments they should succeed.

Whether or not you need to use the most recent Magento model in your on-line retailer or have to simplify Magento software program dependency upgrades, Nexcess can assist.

Nexcess Magento internet hosting provides you entry to the most recent Magento model with on-demand backups and round the clock safety. Our internet hosting plans include straightforward software program upgrades and 24/7/365 technical assist so you possibly can deal with what issues most — rising your small business.

Able to expertise the comfort of Nexcess Magento internet hosting? Browse our managed Magento internet hosting plans to get began immediately.

Be aware: This weblog was initially printed in Could 2022. It has since been up to date for accuracy and comprehensiveness.