Migrate from Drupal 10 to Drupal 11 - How to

Migrating from Drupal 10 to Drupal 11 is generally considered more straightforward compared to previous major upgrades, thanks to improved support and clearer upgrade paths. However, the complexity can vary based on the specific configurations and customizations of your Drupal site.

Key Steps for Migration

• Prepare Your Environment

  • Update PHP and Dependencies: Ensure your server meets Drupal 11’s requirements, such as PHP 8.3 and the necessary database versions.

  • Update Drush: If you use Drush, update to version 13 to ensure compatibility with Drupal 11.

• Update to the Latest Drupal 10 Version

  • Before upgrading, ensure your site is running the latest Drupal 10 version. This step ensures all recent security patches and features are in place, smoothing the transition to Drupal 11.

• Update Contributed Modules and Themes

  • Verify that all contributed modules and themes are compatible with Drupal 11. Update them to their latest versions to avoid compatibility issues during the migration.

• Update Custom Code

  • Review and update any custom modules or themes to ensure they are compatible with Drupal 11. This may involve refactoring deprecated code and ensuring adherence to Drupal 11’s coding standards.

• Perform the Core Update

  • Use Composer to update Drupal core to version 11. It’s recommended to perform a dry run first to identify and resolve any dependency conflicts:

      composer update --dry-run
    

  • Once resolved, execute the update and run necessary database updates:

      composer update drupal/core --with-all-dependencies
      drush updatedb
      drush cache:rebuild
    

  • Always back up your site before performing these operations.

Potential Challenges

• Compatibility of Custom Modules and Themes

  • Custom solutions developed for Drupal 10 may require significant modifications to function correctly in Drupal 11. Ensuring compatibility is crucial to avoid site disruptions.

• Data Migration Complexity

  • While migrating from Drupal 10 to 11 is less complex than earlier version jumps, ensuring that all data and configurations transfer smoothly still requires careful planning and execution.

• Learning Curve and Training

  • Your development team may need to familiarize themselves with new features and changes in Drupal 11. Providing adequate training can mitigate potential delays and issues.

• Performance Optimization

  • Post-migration, optimizing your site for performance is essential. This includes reviewing custom code, implementing caching strategies, and optimizing database queries.

Advantages of Upgrading Early

• Avoiding Last-Minute Scrambles

  • Planning your upgrade ahead of time helps avoid the stress and potential costs associated with last-minute migrations. It also ensures better availability of development resources.

• Enhanced Performance and Features

  • Drupal 11 offers performance improvements and new functionalities that can enhance your site's efficiency and user experience.

• Simplified Future Upgrades

  • Migrating to Drupal 11 early positions your site for smoother updates to subsequent versions, such as Drupal 11.1, reducing future migration complexities.

Conclusion

Migrating from Drupal 10 to Drupal 11 is manageable with proper planning and adherence to best practices. By preparing your environment, updating modules and custom code, and following a structured upgrade process, you can ensure a smooth transition. Addressing potential challenges proactively and leveraging the benefits of early migration can further streamline the process, making the upgrade a positive step forward for your Drupal site.

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