PrestaShop upgrade to version 8 or 9
Safe PrestaShop upgrades from 1.6 or 1.7 to PrestaShop 8 and 9, tested on a copy of your store, or a migration from another platform.
A PrestaShop upgrade is one of the most important jobs for your store. Staying on an old version means missing security fixes, newer PHP versions and module updates, while hosts, payment providers and module developers move on. Sooner or later something stops working.
An upgrade touches everything at once: the core files, the database, the theme, every module and any overrides. That is why we never upgrade a live store directly. We plan the upgrade step by step on a copy, check what is compatible and what is not, and only switch over when orders, payments and shipping work again.
Whether you are on PrestaShop 1.6, 1.7 or 8: you get a clear route to PrestaShop 8 or 9, a fixed price before we start, and a store that keeps running while we work. Only need a single module to work on PrestaShop 9.2? Then the module upgrade is the faster option.
Do you recognise this?
When a PrestaShop upgrade becomes urgent:
-
Your store runs on PrestaShop 1.6 or 1.7 and you want to move to PrestaShop 8 or 9
-
Your host is dropping support for the old PHP version your store needs
-
Modules or payment providers no longer support your PrestaShop version
-
An earlier upgrade attempt stopped halfway or broke the store
-
The back office shows warnings about an outdated version or security updates
-
You want to migrate from another shop system to PrestaShop
How we solve it
We start with an inventory: PrestaShop version, PHP version, theme, modules, overrides and custom code. For each part we decide whether it can be updated, needs adjusting or has to be replaced. You see that advice before anything changes.
Which upgrade route fits your store?
| From | To | Usual route |
|---|---|---|
| PrestaShop 1.6 | 8 or 9 | Migration of products, customers and orders to a clean installation, with a new theme |
| PrestaShop 1.7 | 8 | Official upgrade path via the 1-Click Upgrade module, after a module check |
| PrestaShop 1.7 | 9 | Upgrade in steps or a migration, depending on modules and overrides |
| PrestaShop 8 | 9 | Official upgrade path, with extra attention to modules and the theme |
PrestaShop 1.6 themes do not work on 1.7 and newer, because the theme system changed completely. For a 1.6 store a migration to a clean installation is usually the safest route.
PHP versions per PrestaShop version
| PrestaShop | Supported PHP |
|---|---|
| 1.7.8 | 5.6 to 7.4 |
| 8.0 to 8.2 | 7.2.5 to 8.1 |
| 9.0 | 8.1 to 8.4 |
| 9.2 | 8.1 to 8.5 |
The PHP upgrade and the PrestaShop upgrade go together: a store on 1.7 cannot run on PHP 8, and PrestaShop 9 no longer runs on PHP 7. We plan both steps with your host.
Modules and the theme
PrestaShop 8 runs on Symfony 4.4 and PrestaShop 9 on Symfony 6.4. Modules that use old core functions or overrides often stop working after the upgrade. We check every module: is there a compatible version, can it be adjusted, or is a replacement better? For a single module that does not work on PrestaShop 9, the module upgrade is often the quickest fix. Read more in PrestaShop 9: what is new and PrestaShop 9.2.
Testing before going live
The upgrade itself is done on a staging copy, with the official upgrade path where possible and a data migration where that is safer. After that we test the full order flow: product pages, cart, checkout, payment, shipping, order emails and invoices. Only then do we plan the switch to live with you.
What's included
- Inventory of PrestaShop version, PHP, theme, modules and overrides
- Compatibility check and advice per module: update, adjust or replace
- Upgrade or migration on a staging copy of your store
- Data migration of products, categories, customers and orders
- Testing of cart, checkout, payments, shipping and order emails
- Planned switch to live with a fresh backup and a short report
What to expect
From your first message to a tested fix in your live store: every step is clear, and nothing changes in your store before you have approved the quote.
- 01
You describe your store
Send your store URL, current PrestaShop and PHP version, the version you want to move to and any deadline, for example from your host. Mention modules or custom work you depend on.
- 02
We make an inventory
We check every module, the theme, overrides and custom code against the target version and choose the safest route: the official upgrade path or a migration.
- 03
You get a fixed quote
You receive the route, the advice per module and a fixed price. Nothing is changed in your store until you approve it.
- 04
We upgrade on a copy
The upgrade is carried out on a staging copy. There we test the full order flow, from product page to order email, while your live store keeps running.
- 05
Go live and report
After a fresh backup we switch over at a moment that suits you, check the important flows again and send a short report of what was done and what to watch.
- 06
Questions afterwards
Have a question about the report, or do you notice something after going live? Just reply. We look into it and tell you what it is and what it takes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upgrade directly from PrestaShop 1.6 to 8 or 9?
Not with a single click. A 1.6 store usually needs a migration of the data to a clean installation of PrestaShop 8 or 9, with a new theme, because 1.6 themes and many 1.6 modules do not work on newer versions. We advise which route is safest for your store.
Should I upgrade to PrestaShop 8 or straight to PrestaShop 9?
If your important modules and your theme have a version for PrestaShop 9, going straight to 9 saves you a second upgrade later. If a module you depend on does not support 9 yet, PrestaShop 8 can be a sensible step in between. The inventory shows which applies to you.
Will my theme and modules keep working after the upgrade?
That is exactly what we check first. For each module and the theme you get advice: update, adjust or replace. For a single module that does not work on PrestaShop 9, the module upgrade on this site is often the quickest solution.
Is my store offline during the PrestaShop upgrade?
No. The work is done on a copy, so your live store keeps running and taking orders. Only the final switch needs a short maintenance moment, which we plan with you at a quiet time.
Do I also need to upgrade PHP?
Usually yes. PrestaShop 1.7.8 supports PHP up to 7.4, PrestaShop 8 needs PHP 7.2.5 to 8.1 and PrestaShop 9 needs PHP 8.1 or newer. We plan the PHP upgrade together with the PrestaShop upgrade and coordinate it with your host.
What happens to my Google rankings and URLs?
Product and category URLs are part of the test plan. Where a URL changes during an upgrade or migration, a 301 redirect is needed so search engines and customers end up on the right page. We check this before going live.
What does a PrestaShop upgrade cost?
That depends on the version, the number of modules and the amount of custom work. After the inventory you receive a fixed price, so you know the cost before we start.
How long does a PrestaShop upgrade take?
That also depends on the store. With the quote you receive a planning, including the moment of the switch to live. Do you have a deadline, for example because your host stops supporting your PHP version? Mention it in your request.
What do you need from me to get started?
Usually access to the back office, FTP or SSH and the database, plus a list of modules and custom work you depend on. We tell you exactly what we need when we make the inventory.
What if something goes wrong when we go live?
Right before the switch we make a fresh backup of files and database. If something unexpected happens, we can return to the previous situation while we solve the issue on the copy.
Do you also migrate from other platforms to PrestaShop?
Yes, we can migrate products, customers and orders from other shop systems to PrestaShop. The scope depends on the source system; you get a fixed quote after the inventory.
Get help with your PrestaShop store
Describe the issue and we will reply with a diagnosis and a quote.
- Or email info@presta.support